Poker Strategy

FTR will turn you into a winning poker player!

Welcome to FTR’s Poker Strategy section! We currently have over 400 free Poker Strategy articles in our ever growing archive.

These strategy articles contain as much information as you would find in multiple poker books – for free! Make sure you take advantage of this free poker strategy and poker training, on all of the topics shown below. Whether you’re a beginner, seasoned professional, cash game grinder, or tournament specialist, there is something to help take your game to the next level.

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  • Beginner Poker Strategies (104)
  • Cash Game Strategies (56)
  • Featured Poker Strategy Articles (37)
  • Heads Up Strategies (5)
  • Limit Hold’em Poker Strategies (33)
  • Live Poker Strategies (36)
  • MTT Poker Strategies (34)
  • No Limit Hold'em Poker Strategies (176)
  • Omaha Poker Strategy Articles (14)
  • Open Face Chinese Poker (2)
  • Poker Psychology Strategies (59)
  • Poker Rules (20)
  • Poker Tools (12)
  • Poker Videos (46)
  • SNG Poker Strategy Articles (33)



  • Razz Rules

    Razz Rules

    Razz is a form of poker very similar to 7 Card Stud. The difference is that you're playing for low instead of high. A "wheel" consists of A2345 and is the best possible hand. Straights and flushes don't count against your low hand here.
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    While Waiting Poker Tells

    insights into reading opponents' body language and actions when it's your turn to act in a poker game, covering topics like identifying potential openers, raisers, and bluffers, as well as understanding subtle cues that can indicate a player's intentions
    soupie’s Win MTT Poker 06 – Ace on Turn, When to Fold

    Playing the Small Blind in an MTT Part 2

    the strategy of playing the small blind in multi-table tournaments, focusing on the considerations when dealing with very short stacks, the importance of fold equity, and the factors that influence the decision to push all-in, especially when the stack is around five times the big blind
    Before Moving to $3/6

    Before Moving to $3/6

    several strategic poker plays that players should be familiar with before advancing to higher stakes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and effectively utilizing these plays to maximize profitability and outmaneuver opponents in various game situations
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    Player Types

    various strategies and post-flop tendencies of different poker players, classifying them based on their actions such as "call, fold, raise," and offering insights on how to exploit each player type's weaknesses and tendencies for optimal gameplay
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    Babysitting Blunders: How Not to Treat New Players

    During my time at the tables, I've had a chance to observe an extensive amount of human behavior. Thanks to the growing popularity of the game, I'm seeing more and more diverse personalities sported by players operating on a variety of skill levels. But with the ever-expanding pool of competitors, I find many of my brothers and sisters who've been around for a while are forgetting some of the cardinal rules of the game. I'm talking, specifically, about the treatment of new players at the tables. It happens both at live events and when surfing through the online card rooms. There are veterans (and even more who think themselves to be veterans) who, by carrying themselves in a certain fashion, do themselves a disservice and consequently reduce their own level of play.
    Tight Aggressive Strategy 4-Tabling Cash Games ($50nl 6-Max by euphoricism)

    [FTR Quick Tip 009] Isolating Limpers

    the importance of using selective aggression and position to exploit players who frequently limp at the poker table, suggesting that players should not only raise with their strongest hands but also widen their ranges to capitalize on the mistakes of limpers in no limit Texas Hold'em cash games
    soupie’s Win MTT Poker 06 – Ace on Turn, When to Fold

    chardrian’s Analysis of a $26 Freezeout

    Sometimes, it's valuable to go over your completed poker tournaments with a hand-history viewer to analyze spots that you are unsure about and identify errors in play. You can use a replayer that automatically cuts out hands that you folded preflop so that you can focus on the important hands.
    Razz Rules

    7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Rules

    7 Card Stud Hi/Lo is an exciting variant on normal 7 Card Stud play. In this split-pot format, players can win the high half of the pot, the low half of the pot or scoop the entire pot. Beware of getting quartered though! It can be costly.
    OFC Beginners Guide: Introduction

    OFC Beginners Guide: Introduction

    An introduction to Open Face Chinese Poker for beginner's looking to play. This is the start of a multi-part guide which will (hopefully) take you from a completely new player, to understanding the basics and get you on your way to becoming a winning player.
    Poker Goals

    Poker Goals

    the importance of setting proper goals in poker, cautioning against monetary objectives due to their unpredictability and potential to negatively influence gameplay; instead, it advocates for achievable, volume-based goals that don't compromise decision-making
    Razz Rules

    How to Play Texas Hold’em Poker

    If you've watched televised poker tournaments, the players were probably playing No Limit Texas Hold'em. With two blinds to get the action started and four rounds of betting, there's plenty of action to be found. All-in confrontations are somewhat common especially in tournaments.
    NLHE Foundations #01: Introduction to Hold’em Ranges

    An Introduction to Game Theory in Poker

    A reader-friendly, easy to understand explanation of game theory and its applications in poker. Explaining the differences between theoretical terms such as strategy, strategic options, domination and exploitation, the article teaches players how to use these principles to maximize their winnings.
    Razz Rules

    Crazy Pineapple Rules

    Crazy Pineapple is just like Texas Hold'em, but it has a fun twist! There are three hole cards, and after the flop, you choose and discard one. Due to the extra card, hands tend to be stronger than they would be in a normal Texas Hold'em game.
    Breaking Down the Non-Hold’em Games Part 1

    2-7 Lowball Rules

    2-7 Lowball is a favorite among some of the most well-known poker professionals. Playing for low offers a refreshing change from standard high-hand poker. But before you can play, you must understand the rules and how to read your hand.
    Poker Bad Beats And You

    Poker Bad Beats And You

    You have a pretty looking hand and your opponent has a funny, lopsided looking hand and you’re happy to see that all the money goes in the pot. The end. Everything after that is just an illusion taking your focus away from a truth in poker. You’ve made the...