5 Step Guide to CRUSH Low Stakes Poker (2025)

[@twiddlinbits]

I put this into practice last night, and it was shockingly effective. I pretty much ran like death. I probably VPIPed less than 10% because I got dealt so few raise-able hands. In ten hours, I was never dealt AK or a pair higher than 10s, and I won at showdown less than ten times. I paid off a few times I shouldn't have; I bluffed into slow played hands a few times; and I got it all in with a flopped straight to get cracked by runner-runner boat; and yet ultimately, my stack still grew. The vast majority of my wins were from steps 2 and 5 (with the help of 1 and 3). I only got called with a bluff catcher once. I only made four real hands the whole night, but got paid on three. I ended up winning over 400 BB on the session.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

that’s amazing to hear. this made me smile! lots lots more coming soon

[@Dekogangster207]

The Nick Vertucci way(except he didnt watch this video)

[@imPapuska]

Sure! Here's the translation: This is the best poker content on KZbin. Everything is explained very simply, the videos are very short, and there's no fluff. All other channels compared to this one are like gods of the seas and oceans. :P

[@iamstrangla1348]

Catching up on all the hungry horse content and I will say this is the best poker content on KZbin!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

welcome to the hungry horse buffalo train

[@travistowell7149]

I'm a small winner at live 1/2 at TCH Dallas and the lodge in Austin. Very good strategies for 99% of the player pool.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

nice travis, hope they help make you into a medium or big winner soon

[@thirdeyeliquidators329]

Small wiener*

[@Stockhandle123]

@@hungryhorsepoker I do not agree with your third point. Just down bet from out of position as the pre-flop aggressor instead of checking. Other than that these are good tips.

[@on10_Juce]

@@Stockhandle123 no. he makes complete sense. Checking gives you more information on your opponents hand as our villains make many face up decisions when checked to on the flop. Additionally they make way too many mistakes on the turn and it gives you many check raise opportunities… Now I may not check my entire range, but I would certainly check back my ep range.

[@on10_Juce]

@@Stockhandle123 also, when a coach teaches, just listen. Because his mindset is what separates you from him. “Respect the Subject Matter Experts!”

[@the_jeremiah]

As previously stated in your other Videos. You have made my Low stakes play so much better. I have been crusing it for the last few weeks. Truly appreciate you. P.S. The fold to Aggression Saved me in a massive pot the other night. I was on the Button with AJ suited, I flopped top two made the Cbet of a small size and got called. Turn paired the bottom card on the board, I continued with a 30% pot villian calls. River is a blank and Villian check raises me all in. I think about it for a second and fold. He couldnt beleive I folded top two, he had Quad 9's. You are amazing.

[@Fatpigkenny]

While I’ve been working on #5, #4 is actually very important also. Low stakes players have bluffs, but they underbluff. I’ve been hero calling in the past, and now looking back it was more ego driven rather than EV driven. I now fold more to aggression. My risk/reward has improved, and my win rate is materially higher.

[@jakepokervegas]

7:32 Jajaja!! 🤣 nice one... Really good stuff here my friend! I'm going to apply it right now! Thank you! 🤘

[@hungryhorsepoker]

the man with the best short form poker content in the game!!

[@wunderboi78220]

You're really going the extra mile demonstrating this solver work so I've subscribed just for that. I was wondering what resources you utilized to learn poker and more specifically how to work with solvers once you reached an intermediate level.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

tbh i just watched a youtube video on how to do basic stuff in piosolver, then jumped down the rabbit hole! just an intense curiosity was really the only thing that guided me.

[@dalekerr5091]

You’re a natural teacher Marc

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank you!

[@mariocardoso291]

Very nice. You should do more content like this. it really helps

[@hungryhorsepoker]

much more coming, super excited for the next few weeks

[@Trephining]

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? 17. What is your most treasured memory? 18. What is your most terrible memory? 26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ..." 27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know. 30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself? 31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already. 32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about? 33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

[@chrisbedowitz9258]

Great explanations. I'll check out your channel and website for sure to learn more about Hungry Horse.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thanks chris! super excited about next weeks video

[@marlboro1771]

Great content. Subbed and waiting for more.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank you! super excited about the next 3-4 weeks

[@cubanhack3r]

3rd rule happens to be true nearly 100% at low stakes. Excellent content...!

[@west_poker]

Best video explanation I’ve seen so far. Thank you!

[@susymay7831]

Mad props for your nice timestamp!❤ Hoping to see more timestamped videos!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

ima be honest i had nothing to do with that i think youtube did it for me 😂

[@susymay7831]

@@hungryhorsepoker Well you make great videos, and I liked your bet sizing guide a lot!

[@jk40369]

I like that you take the time out to help and coach low stakes poker like 1/3 I appreciate that as helps my game out a lot. So thank you. Jay from Tennessee 😎

[@RadioAaron]

The best thing about this channel is the assumption that these regs have a strategy at all. The variance is just ridiculous. That said, I had my best cash session ever last night and I’ve been mainlining Hungry Horse for the last month or so. Coincidence?

[@berserkercimerio7946]

Hi from Brasil, Ty a lot for the videos! Can u talk in the future videos about 3bet strategy both, pre and pos flop? in and out position, bonus 3bet in multiway pots?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

check out our guides to preflop, and playing oop on this channel!

[@RaquelBaldelomar]

Thank you for sharing such helpful content to improve my poker game, Mark! You are a great teacher!

[@DallasDelRio]

What song starts playing at 2:06? It’s so familiar it’s driving me nuts.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

i'm out of town for a few days but will let you know as soon as i'm back on my computer and can check!

[@rnelsonendeavor3098]

Great work!

[@davidmaxham9230]

When you check your entire range OOP, how do you respond to villain bet?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

great question! i just finished editing a complete guide to playing oop today. will have it up in 2-3 weeks.

[@swordofallah1129]

Think of yourself like a electric eel at the poker table. If you try to shock your opponents early the chance of success is less than if you wait until they have been injured by other players.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

i love this

[@carlknepfler8976]

What about when Strattle is on for ten in a 1/2 or 1/3 game and the I itial raise is to 25 take matters less then right? Seems like if villain has wide range calling with KQo, AJo and medium pairs all want to call there?

[@rjw19]

Amazing video, thank you!

[@donbdoe5798]

This vid is like reverse click bait. Good stuff mark

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thanks!

[@nastynaza]

Great video. Where can I get the database of hands/ranges from?

[@Marbles07]

Great video - thanks! How do things change multiway? I'm assuming checking 100% of our range OOP might be an issue in a multiway pot. For example, say we raise in MP with QQ and CO, button, and BB all call. To use the same flop as in the video (Js9s2c), any K, Q, T, 8, or 7 completes a straight, spade completes a flush, any J or 9 causes trips, and an ace is a likely overcard. I'm assuming we would have to c-bet more often multiway to deny equity?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

great question! too complex for a short answer, so i think i’ll make a video soon on this exact topic where i can show a bunch of diff scenarios for how i think about playing multi-way spots in position and out.

[@nab0305]

That was pretty nice. I find myself doing solver jams against fish with value because my bluffs want to bet that size but they clearly arent strong but would probably have paid off half pot for 30bb instead of going for the OB jam and getting a fold

[@finanzmond]

nice Video thx! You c-bet 50% default in small stakes games? or better how much value would add a c-bet strategy with 3 choices 33% 50% and 66%? if its not much i would stick to your default 50% cbet strategy (i play 2/4 live) i subscribed, greetings from germany.

[@apocalypsepromotions7676]

If you get it heads up, I was taught 50% continuation bet, or 33% to trap an aggressive villain.

[@finanzmond]

@@apocalypsepromotions7676 i think it depens on nut advantage and board conectivity. But for simplyfie it, i ask if you could choose a 50% on default on all boards

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank you! 2 points - 1) a simple strategy executed WELL is always going to outperform a complex strategy. don't overcomplicate it against players who aren't thinking so hard. 2) i don't always cbet 50%! i cbet the size where they raise their strong hands + call their weak hands. have an entire video coming out on bet sizing in the next few weeks.

[@finanzmond]

@@hungryhorsepoker so you could use a 50% cbet form in postion each time? i would like to simplify my game in 2/4?

[@theturokchoi]

when c-betting in position and they raise pot size, are we calling or re-raising from there? are if they check everytime?

[@one2drei]

continue your good hands and fold you weaker hands. we dont need to balance

[@theturokchoi]

@@one2drei thanks!

[@theturokchoi]

is top pair a good hand on a wet board? or that depends a lot

[@AlexB_Poker]

Helpful vid, thx

[@fernandoschiavinato8456]

Excellent tips, I hope to mentor with you soon. I currently play 1/2 in London and my English level is not that good yet, these are my challenges to start with. Hugs

[@hungryhorsepoker]

🥰

[@buyamiracle5179]

Do you have any advice for burning out when playing for a long time and how to refill the passion and comeback to play freshly again? Sometimes, I feel like poker is not fun 😢.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

if it’s a hobby - don’t force yourself! take a break for as long as that need be until you actually have the urge to play. no one’s holding a gun to your head. if it’s your job - do something else! there are many ways to make way better money than poker. it’s only a great job if you truly love it and obsess over it.

[@buyamiracle5179]

@@hungryhorsepoker Appreciated ❤️

[@buyamiracle5179]

It’s very tough when i ran very bad. Cannot make any hand and cannot stop losing. Even I made a strong hand, I ran into top of the opponents’ range. It took a lot of time to realize the real world that can be. Even if I study a ton, I can still have many losing sessions. As you said, we have to really love and obsess to this game to keep playing in cloudy days.

[@brianfagnan]

I took a 14 year break, now back into it more than ever.

[@CamBZ-pl6md]

does c betting whole range hu mean every time you're hu in a 3 bet pot you c bet or only if the board hits your perceived range? Not sure if i'm framing that correct, tyia

[@hungryhorsepoker]

every board in a hu pot i’m cbetting ip. don’t care about who’s range it hits. most police players can’t spell range. except some very static / dry boards i talk about in other videos.

[@1eldare1]

AWESOME tips! where I can find videos of you play cash game?? by the way any chance to make small MTT tips??

[@hungryhorsepoker]

doing a vlog series at low stakes where most of our customers play right now. releasing that soon. no interest in mtts, sorry.

[@KingRockPoker]

I am enjoying your content. The low stakes games I play in average anywhere from 33BB to 100BB. When you say to play tighter how tight are you suggesting? Can you give an example?

[@jfredric1]

What solver r u presenting in this video?

[@nicholi2789]

This was a great advertisement for how awesome the Wizard is. Great video.

[@SFreedberg1]

To clarify regarding the 100% bet ip heads up and 100% ck oop heads up; the example were 3 bet pots. Does this also apply to single raised pots? Thank you.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

check out the new vid complete guide to playing oop

[@SFreedberg1]

Thanks

[@michaelb4090]

Great stuff 🎉

[@JoelSidwell]

Great content. The part about folding to aggressive retaliation was revelatory. That alone will save me thousands 😂

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thanks joel! happy this could help you save a few thousand 🥰

[@davidchan4483]

I really liked the video in some ways. FWIW, despite the nice thought process, I think the guide is recommending strategies that are somewhat too simple. A more nuanced strategy would crush low stakes live NLHE games for even more profit than this 5 step guide. I don't really play 5/5 NLHE much anymore though unless I am playing there while waitijg for another table. Opinion of a live pro who cut his teeth at capped 3/5 NLHE 16+ years ago. I have also coached a lot of players for live 5/5 NLHE equivalent stakes. I did really like #5 of the 5 part guide though.

[@SFreedberg1]

The OG Hollywood Park Crusher!

[@Avon45]

Nice video. Would these apply to online poker at some extent?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

at small stakes, yes, but definitely would need a more nuanced strategy once you get to 200nl and above

[@kerryhopkins4680]

What stakes online would you say this works up to? Having played 50NL and 100NL I feel like this works well against most of the pool

[@hungryhorsepoker]

no idea! haven’t played online in a couple years and never played 50nl or 100nl, but it works live at all the stakes

[@kerryhopkins4680]

@@hungryhorsepoker Thanks for the reply, love the content!

[@finanzmond]

you check 100% form out of position from each positon? for exemple we are UTG+1 vs BU?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

yep! single raised pots, and 3bp.

[@finanzmond]

What does 3pb mean?

[@stephenleavitt2974]

3 bet pot@@finanzmond

[@KabooseVAL]

3 bet pot@@finanzmond

[@lauritsjacobsen8345]

do these tips also apply to online?

[@chetperrigo3531]

Where did hou purchase hand histories from?

[@matyasnimrod3458]

Very useful and well explained. Thank you!

[@nunchucksupland]

I’ll try it

[@hungryhorsepoker]

🥰🥰 lettuce know if you have any questions

[@MelFinehout]

In a nut shell, bet small or check until they define their range. Then hammer them with the bets that will maximize the errors they make with that range.

[@grahamplayscards]

dropping the big boy stuff for free?? u spoil us

[@hungryhorsepoker]

just some 😇😇

[@levoriocolin7802]

Thanks! What do you do on the river and your tomato is being squished? Recently my tomato almost burst. Can you run a sim and share in your next video?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

@@levoriocolin7802

[@micahcarter7765]

What solver are you using?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

pio

[@toblaroned88b9]

can you make a video explaining all the poker lingo you used. I know how to play but I don't know what your saying at times

[@toblaroned88b9]

I did a quick google search and figured most of it out and the first two minutes of this video made me double up in 10 mins

[@Theswazzer]

What app is dude using

[@johnk7125]

Thanks to u i built bankroll from 0 to 8k in 7 months shot taking 2/5 now❤

[@hungryhorsepoker]

good stuff john!!

[@ghostmutt4265]

Whats the adjustment for a no rake game?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

bit looser preflop

[@mjl1966y]

Wouldn't c-betting your entire range every time qualify as stabbing too much and not protecting check-back range? Wouldn't c-betting our entire range be making the very mistakes we are checking into OOP?

[@Jobysworld]

Cbetting range doesn't mean cbetting every hand

[@MelFinehout]

@@Jobysworldactually that’s exactly what it means. To “bet range” means to bet every hand you have in that spot.

[@FraserBramley-du4vz]

Where do you regularly play?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

i’m in los angeles

[@gavinbrinck]

can you do a short stack episode ?

[@mjl1966y]

Can you do a good video on explaining what a capped range is? I've read many articles, watched many videos and all they do is say "not nutty" and then show examples which don't really explain anything. So far it looks to me like "capped range" and "weak hand" are pretty much the same thing. But maybe you can explain it in a way that actually makes sense. Unless it is, in fact, just fancy talk for "weak hand."

[@DallasDelRio]

As a Texas poker player, lots of the “standard” adjustments don’t work for me. Texas 1/2 plays like 2/5 or higher. Max buy in is $1000 at my local card house. It’s also hourly so preflop is fundamentally different since rake isn’t a factor. Would you consider making a video on playing in these games where people really don’t follow GTO strategy and call way too wide preflop (resulting in lots of multiway pots, chasing draws, overvaluing top pair)

[@DallasDelRio]

Piggybacking off of this, building a bankroll is so hard since I’m essentially starting at a 2/5 blind level. Even a $500 buy in really isn’t much in a big pot. The variance is also very high since most pots are multiway and people call down too light. How do I “start” playing live cash when the field is so volatile and loose and the smallest games still play huge?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

couple points: what i've found: live poker is live poker is live poker. as part of our CFP, we have guys playing in california, vegas, texas, florida, philly, etc etc etc. we've had guys in our bootcamp in canada, austria, netherlands, etc. in all live poker games: players call too much pre, play too passive post, and fastplay value too much on flop/turn on dynamic boards. games are quite similar in every market. we do have a multiway guide video coming out soon which you may find useful!

[@DallasDelRio]

Since rake doesn’t exist here does that allow for more opportunities to limp in with hands that can make the nuts post flop and cooler other people who call too wide with any two suited cards and overvalue top pair? Like suited aces, suited kings, low pairs?

[@evrenturan3674]

Great video.

[@georgeargyris543]

🍅 giving out da sauce!!!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

just a smidgeon

[@lauritsjacobsen8345]

I dont understand the checking your entire range? Lets say you have a pretty good hand, for example KJ8 rainbow and you have KQ, you check they check? then what to do now? you probably have the best hand, but didnt get any value on the flop, and they most likely havent improved, feel like it makes sense to get your money in when they have more outs, so they call and give you more value?

[@aztecwarrior9729]

I don't know who teaches youtube vlogglers that background music is a good idea on a presentation sucjas this one. I hope you get the point. Looking forward to next video without background noise

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thanks for the feedback, if most people find the music distracting i can certainly turn it off

[@SFreedberg1]

​@@hungryhorsepokerthe arrogance of people that think they speak for everyone, never surprises me. The background music is the best I've ever heard. It's at the perfect level and enhances engagement with the video. It's so good, that I didn't realize there was background music until I was 3-4 minutes in. Instead of thanking you for the fantastic content, which I am, instead people find something negative to point out. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

@@SFreedberg1 thank you i really appreciate that 🥰

[@RaquelBaldelomar]

Yes! The music is a bit distracting. And you have such great material to share, i want to pay attention to every word. Its hard to do that with the music.

[@MaydayAggro]

FINALLY! Someone who nodelocks ACTUAL fish strategy.

[@lukakoper1900]

which solver is that btw?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

piosolver

[@JohnSmith-og5th]

Great stuff. Do we still check our entire range when we are oop in a srp heads up? How about when we are oop in a srp multiway? I know we suppose to be doing a lot of checking when oop in general, but can we implement that strategy to single raised pots heads up and srp's multiway?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

shortcut question i ask when hu: will they make more mistakes vs a check or vs a bet? usually - the answer is check when we are oop. i deviate when eff stacks are short as x has way less benefits. video on mw spots coming soon!

[@SFreedberg1]

This is probably my tenth time watching this video. Send my regards to your cousin Laramie!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

omg laramie says hello

[@Kingsfool]

Wow, awesome stuff here.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank you thank you🥰

[@topthehill4549]

You look like this guy Ray I use to know. I mean exactly like him… crazy!!! Anyway great content!!! Thanks…

[@kibspoker]

Uggh.... i dunno man, everytime i see Solvers my head hurts, like seriously. Dun get me wrong i love this channel and content is just awesome. Its just that I find it very hard to look into solvers even if someone is explaining (hope its just me). Thanks for this content

[@Fatpigkenny]

No concern about being unbalanced with step 5? Also does it have to be 2.5x? Can it be 1.5x? I feel 2.5x will stick out like a sore thumb, and villains will remember and adjust quickly

[@hungryhorsepoker]

yeah fair point i should have clarified - the exact size doesn’t matter. choose the size that gets them to do what you want. it could be half pot. it could be pot. it could be 3x pot!

[@Fatpigkenny]

Ok I tried this last night and got good results. Having said that, I feel if it fails a couple of times, the session is ruined…..

[@Chris-lp2ok]

Good video.

[@apocalypsepromotions7676]

New subscriber!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

welcome!

[@multitable_folie]

Next Video: Combating Limpers!? Submit a likely OOP limping/call ISO range to PIO, Have Limper Donk our ISO with a linear range on Flop. How does solver play? High Quality Video Here. Your best work. Fascinating to see population tendencies applied to solver and how solver adjusts. You streams were fun. Hope you return one day.

[@hungryhorsepoker]

good idea! i’ll add to list in next few weeks.

[@isaacoltersdorf-cdhs9706]

#3 blew my mind

[@hungryhorsepoker]

i don’t even remember what #3 was but me too i think

[@ExpeditionMusic]

This is great

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank you 🥰🥰

[@Toast1776osrs]

🔥🔥🔥 for the algorithm

[@dvirhamu8702]

Watching this for .10/.20 blinds 😎

[@joek9324]

Love ❤️

[@hungryhorsepoker]

bless u

[@JeffreyBlend]

All our secrets are out!

[@hungryhorsepoker]

nooooo not even 10% of them!

[@The_Life_Shoequatic]

A crucial component of this video that is missing is what would Liz do?

[@hungryhorsepoker]

true, maybe we’ll get a strategy video from her soon

[@esp86]

Wow its weird seeing MDOTR speaking without his Jamaican accent.

[@330miggs]

15" POKER HAAAAARRRRDDD

[@slane2906]

your voice isn't synced with the image, it's kinda disturbing to watch

[@johnk7125]

I love you

[@Trephining]

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why? 36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

Looks as if this would have been a great video. Unfortunately I can't hear a word you're saying because of the music thats playing

[@hungryhorsepoker]

thank god for the music

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

@@hungryhorsepoker Its ruined the video

[@MaydayAggro]

LOL. 9x are the only hands that check. ALL trash just goes nuts.

[@rebar33]

In poker I against doing anything 100pct of the time. Id prefer you said 90pct of time. Anyways. Im not a millionaire from poker. Just a comment

[@mzockt]

Dont put that stuff out there Mate! :D

[@michaelb4090]

Wow if you just lose the stash and the man bun you’ll look like a real man haha jokes aside appreciate the great info 🎉