Poker Adjustments Masterclass: How to Beat Everyone

DON’T adjust your poker strategy before watching this compilation! Let’s learn how to exploit maniacs, how to play poker vs loose cannons, and a variety of other poker adjustments.
🌟 Learn Poker with Me: ➡️ galfond.link/ProPokerSecrets
🎁 Free Weekly Poker Strategy: ➡️ www.philgalfond.com/mindset-yt
Adjusting your gameplan to different types of poker players takes understanding and practice.
If you’re adjusting to a loose poker player you’re going to have some reliable adjustments to make.
Playing against loose poker opponents means bluffing less on the flop. You should still bet your decent draws, but you should cut out more of your low equity bluffs.
A loose poker strategy means your opponent has more poker hands with low equity that will continue so you want to make sure to expand your value range across all streets.
If you’re getting punished by a check-raiser attacking your flop continuation bets, you’re going to have obvious and not-so-obvious adjustments.
If you’re opponent is just check-raising more value hands (and not balancing that with the correct amount of bluffs) you want to fold more as a major adjustment while making the minor adjustment of c-betting less on the flop with your middle strength hands that don’t want to call a raise.
The biggest adjustment to make is not the flop as the most EV is generated on the turn, let Phil explain further in the video!
As Phil says at one point in the video, everybody wants to know how to adjust to a poker maniac.
It really depends on the type of maniac, Phil outlines 3 different types to learn how to play against.
Maniac 1 puts in a lot of money on each street, over bluffs, puts in way too much money with pretty good poker hands, and underfolds while betting and raising HUGE.
Maniac 2 puts in way too much money with good hands but otherwise isn’t bluffing too much.
Maniac 3 LOVES to bluff all streets, raises flop and turn often with semi-bluffs, and bluffs the river when checked to and against small bets.
Each of these player types needs different adjustments, following along with Phils breakdown and properly executing his advice will add money to your bankroll!
Phil also explores exploiting a poker player who isn’t bluffing enough on the river, turn, or flop.
The most obvious adjustment on the river is that when you have hands that can sometimes call or sometimes fold, or that should mostly call, or when you have a hand that should always call but only beats bluffs, you need to just start folding.
The basic idea is that your opponent just doesn’t have bluffs so you don’t gain any value by continuing with those hands.
The turn and flop require more in-depth explanation, thankfully Phil dives into the topic!
Pre-flop poker exploits can be very easily understood, especially when Phil dives in on the fifth video.
Phil easily explains the adjustments to make vs a variety of Preflop player types like a big blind who folds too much, blinds that don’t 3-bet often enough, blinds that are too loose, or blinds that fold too often and MORE!
In the next solid installment of "Expert Exploits" Phil is breaking down how best to build a read in online or live poker.
There's what you "feel" and what statistics prove, as well as how ranges can be affected and the importance of showdowns.
Phil also gives his personal method of developing a read while teaching two very different approaches he employs.
Lastly, Phil discusses how to exploit people who are c-betting too much and how to adjust based on whether they are betting every good hand, every bluff, or every pair along with a more complex way to adjust to someone over c-betting.
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Producer: Thomas Deming-Henes
Brand Design: Dan Deming-Henes
Adjustment Videos:
Expert Exploits | The Loose Opponent: • The Loose Opponent Exp...
Expert Exploits | The Check-Raiser:
• The Check-Raiser | Exp...
How to Play Poker Against a Maniac:
• How to Play Poker Agai...
Crush Under-Bluffers | Expert Exploits:
• Crush Under-Bluffers |...
Making the Right Pre-Flop Adjustments | Expert Exploits:
• Making the Right Pre-F...
Building Reads in Live and Online Poker:
• Building Reads in Live...
How to Attack Flop Continuation Bettors:
• How to Attack Flop Con...
Follow Phil:
Twitter: / philgalfond
Instagram: / phil.galfond
TikTok: / phil.galfond
00:00 Adjust to All Types of Opponents
00:43 Loose Opponent
08:19 Check-Raiser
14:51 Maniacs
27:05 Crush Under-Bluffers
39:03 Pre-Flop Adjustments
46:38 Building reads (Live & Online)
1:01:33 Flop Continuation Bettors

[@PhilGalfond]

If you enjoyed this and want to improve your mindset at the tables, you’d like my free ebook, Poker Mindset Strategy. Get your copy here: www.philgalfond.com/mindset-yt

[@Alexandertygreat]

This is by far the best poker knowledge ever given away for free. The idea exploiting ranges street by street based on opponent leaks is genius. I dont use that word ever. Brilliant stuff Phil.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed.

[@cooperrobertson7210]

I'm going to need to rewatch this 100x. Thanks Phil

[@kohlfixari]

I feel the same… AMAZING

[@SuhendraLie]

Same

[@3dg3Z]

I'm on my third watch, 4th one will be taking notes and so on XD

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re so welcome! Enjoy it (100 times) 😃

[@SFreedberg1]

Have you re-watched it? Great info especially for 2-5 live games. I was listening while taking notes and that seems to work. The act of writing down seems at least for me to help me retain the information. Then I realized there is a transcript and you can read along with him. Best of luck.

[@jluchette]

This channel is absolutely phenomenal. With the endless Poker content on YT, the only channels I never miss an upload are Doug Polk (I’m an OG, still remember when his channel was brand new) and Finding Equilibrium. This channel does what soooo many others attempt to do in an over-saturated genre, which is provide something truly unique. I have a feeling we’re going to be saying “I remember when this channel had less than 50k subs.” This is just… it. Phil, you’re doing this YT thing right. I wish you all the succces you’ve got coming, and I’ll be here for it.

[@mortenbonde5411]

Super grateful that I found these videos. Super insightful, really clearly explained and well delivered.

[@Changed_my_name_to_Bob]

Great video Phil. I think this is the best explanation of these kinds of concepts I have seen yet. Awesome points and I appreciate you spreading the knowledge even though it will make for tougher games! Keep it up man.

[@francescoiadicicco1266]

This channel is a hidden gold nugget. I'm out for work, but I'll make sure to check it out tonight. Thank you Mr. Galfond.

[@marcoslugo2384]

All this Poker Knowledge from many Professionals, who are willing to share, is a gift. It depends how we use this & keep going to learn more and more. I'm 100% thankful for videos like this.

[@zille3000]

I just found your channel yesterday. Keep up the good quality. I really like your calm way of talking.

[@duster66]

Perfect tone + info to fall asleep too. I have found it a great foil to my insomnia. Thanks Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad to help!

[@booweekly34]

You better favorite poker player mind since the interview where you explain how having a friend that you bounced back ideas and strategies with is how to get better at poker. I thank you so much for your knowledge

[@kingdurkalerpa1044]

This video is pure gold. I never seen another video where players talk about how to play against each player type.

[@yothisiselmo]

crazy you can watch stuff like this for free, preciate it man

[@dschungelheissmann]

Amazing video! This has so much value plus the format and clarity of the explanation is also top. I have to rewatch and think about that. For the wish list: could you say something about adjusting to bet Sizing "mistakes "? Now with gto solutions out there, recommended preflop size is 2x-2.5x . Why? When should we ignore that and raise larger? How would you exploit players who usually raise 4x? Also postflop: solvers recommend small range bets in some static flops and small infrequent bets for monotone flops.(Etc,etc,...). How can we exploit bet size deviations? Thanks!

[@victorcurysimionato6412]

I never get tired of saying it, you are the man !!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@CRAIG5835]

As usual, thanks, man. Extremely informative for those who are wishing to take their game to the best of their ability, but also great for a relative newbie to the game, all the plays as explained by Phil Galfond, data that would normally cost to learn, and explained by the dulcet tones of future Hall of Fame, HUPLO and NLHE professor, the inimitable Phil Galfond. Did you like the professor touch Phil? This vid is 'as sweet as.'

[@PhilGalfond]

Much appreciated, Craig! I think I do like the professor touch 🙂

[@JM-vk2ru]

unbelievably good content. ty phil

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome and thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SolaceAndBane]

Watching these videos has been like printing money for me. Thanks Phil!

[@bigmaz3783]

great content Phil keep it up bro !

[@yakovnew1615]

Phil Galfond is my new favorite poker player.

[@danthomson3611]

Would love to see you do a similar version of this video for PLO!

[@stevegoldy2196]

Hey Phil i recently read a tweet where you responded to someone who said they would often go Deep in MTTs but never FT. The advice you gave really resonated with me and after several deep runs in COOP events i made my first ever SCOOP FT recently finishing 2nd in the $5.50 2-7 SD $7.5k GTD. I stayed aggressive, i embraced the variance and i could not of had that result without your advice so thank you!

[@PhilGalfond]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so glad it made a difference!!

[@noskill25]

what was the advice if I could ask?

[@Tom_Bee_]

​@@noskill25stay aggressive and embrace the variance, is what I'm getting from OP's comment? A lot of players go passive at and after the bubble...

[@ronaldmizrahi]

Great information Phil! 😀👍💰

[@Beyond-Poker369]

great video, thank u phil, love u

[@denniskrook2925]

Thanks for the video. I am aTAG with a lot of maniac 3 moves.

[@amypowell6495]

This is the only video I've ever watched at .75 speed lol. There's a lot to absorb! Thanks Phil.

[@PhilGalfond]

As someone who finds most of my videos too boring at 1x, I very much appreciate this!!

[@louismaberry9683]

Awesome, as always Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@alexzemer5868]

Hi Phil! Would you be so kind as to record a video on how rake affects our opening range in preflop and continuation range in postflop! What is the "force" that causes players to narrow their ranges in a high rake environment!!!???

[@MDKdogma]

A long form bit of content?! What a gift! I haven't even watched it yet (I guess I'll comment after too...) but I'm jazzed.

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome. Please enjoy!

[@cpasa798]

Hey Phil, could you make a video of where the EV come from for each type of hand? Value betting on small SPR, flopping the nuts against an overpair, bluff catching, bluffing 1 street, bluffing 3 streets, etc? So we can adjust our range to other players frequencies

[@nahumvilla2692]

amazing and great value content!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!!

[@zalujevi]

Its so good what u have done Phil,and i am 44 and i know i Will watch this God knows how many times Great work,love to watch it and as always #regardsfromcroatia

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! I loved hearing that you found it so helpful! ♥️

[@Josh-ed3sf]

so many people are rightly talking about how helpful this is for adjusting to your opponents. but I'll go one step farther. this is so helpful for FINDING YOUR leaks too .. maybe even more so. for me, they were:. bluffing the turn to bluff the river against someone who underfolds middle and bottom pair on the turn but way over folds to these bets on the river overbluffing against tight passive opponents on the turn on dry boards , since their check calling range is much stronger than the average player they actually have less weaker hands in their range . Essentially, I would hone in on a character trait without thinking about what that trait is actually doing to the hands they are showing up with in relation to the hands of other players. The "if I apply enough pressure they will eventually fold" trap.

[@ltisenotem]

My head while watching this: 🤯🤯🤯 Gonna need to rewatch with a pen and paper. Thanks for the content Phil!!!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@arikotzen5304]

Such amazing content!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much!

[@Dawid121970]

So good stuff

[@pm13bs]

Amazing, thank you.

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@janruzek5281]

Hi Great VID! What about players who fold more than 50% vs potbet on the turn and when they call they fold again more than 50% vs pot on the river. Then its +EV to play 2brrl right? thank you

[@1mordi104]

what a legend bro

[@BrunoZzZzzzz]

Have the notebook ready! Thanks in advance Phill !

[@PhilGalfond]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@joanlamson5932]

Huge fan of yours! I've had 8 years of college and law school, but I find in my 60's that I don't have the attention span to listen to the full analysis without contemporaneous video graphics, especially since we can't play for real money in the USA and especially since I quit PLO because it was addictive. So here's what my weakened attention span concluded: I found myself thinking Thank God he "adjusted" (the theme word, clearly) the Taliban beard to a goatee.

[@PhilGalfond]

I’ve begun to always look forward to your video and beard reviews, JoAn. Thank you!

[@Rags2RichesPoker]

Phil should have way more subscribers.

[@LucasTishler]

*Such good content for free, legend*

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@alexw8450]

Thank you for all of that content. you are such an amazing player instructor and human. Just one question to this genius video. Everything relates to HU Cash right? Could you also make a video about perception? I think this it is a very important topic and almost nobody talks about how you are perceived at a at table and if you play or call a hand wrong / bad just with the intention to change the perception the table / player has of you. For my perception is is a big bias that when player spot an "obvious" mistake or maniac play. you got that badge pinned on your forehead because of this one hand. Which in and off itself can be a big trap for future game. But again maybe this is not vaild for headsup / hightstakes as you play to many hands with each other anyway. Live long and prosper Sir Galfond

[@DabuDave]

i. taking notes to review fir later thanks new sub

[@Around_the_Corn]

Can you do a video on the 5 times/reasons you might pass on a C-bet on the flop?

[@spacecadetsMia]

Can you make a video on how to beat loose splashy live low stakes cash games please?!?!

[@jaybingham3711]

When the assessment (lag, tag, etc) is mostly true/valid, these are fine points worthy of implementing. The biggest problem, however, is the assessment. You probably need a separate video covering all the intricacies involved with that. Card flow and table make-up can conspire to bring about conditions that signal a player to be a certain type when in fact they aren't that at all. It's so incredible how quickly people will jump to a firm conclusion that a player IS a type pursuant only to a few hands rather than taking the time to record enough observations before drawing a conclusion. Worse, these people don't even track their data (misassessments). They are happy to gamble on the fact that their instinct...their gut...is right. Of course, tracking such data is a hassle. And what if that data proves you're horrible with your reads? Can't have that.

[@GokuTheSuperSaiyan1]

This is very true, especially online

[@DaveFu]

I like your books. I bet you keep more Sklansky bucks in them than I do. :)

[@borg972]

Really appreciate a long and detailed video! Shorts is a bad and shallow format imho, glad you're doing this as well!

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jluchette]

In general, don’t generalize. “Shorts are shallow” is such a broad statement. SO broad it exposes your narrow view. That said: the more the better from Phil. There are absolute jewels in all of his videos, regardless of the length.

[@ricardovelasco691]

Hello Phil, this might perhaps be tricky to answer but what adjustments you suggest us non GTO players do in game when facing perceived GTO Experts with minimal exploitations (if any) in their game? The way I see it is that it will take a lot of time an effort to eliminate or greatly reduce our own leaks but until we do, we will continue to face such opponents when playing so any advice helps 😎

[@coreyhuggins5785]

pay attention to them, even theoretically based players are highly exploitable in low stakes. I’d recommend learning about how to figure out value/bluff ratios (gtowizard has a great video or two) and learning what spots your opponents are missing the marks. You can then come back to this video and figure out what adjustment makes sense (ex. boards where there are a lot of overcards and draws tend to be often overbluffed even by non maniacs)

[@SUp3razvan]

thank you for the v1deo bro

[@belthazar666]

This is why they call him "long video phil"

[@conilmionomecripto]

K8T4T donkoverbet on the river with every bluffcatcher and Tx+ and all became an oppo problem, not mine :)

[@PoliteAF]

I can hardly believe this video is free.

[@nl-sd6zl]

FIRST - 1 hour phil vid lets GOOOOOOOOOO

[@PhilGalfond]

Hope you get a lot out of it!!

[@ibanez510]

Wait why do you never slowplay against 'Maniac 3?' (23:20) What am I missing? If they're bluffing every street, don't you always slow play?

[@TomRauhe]

It would help if the maniacs would turn out to not have the nuts 90% against me 😂🍀

[@Dynamice1337]

I'm usually looking for games with players who call down too loose. I make most of my profit by mercilessly value betting moderate strength hands for 3 streets.

[@FriendsForFriends666]

Omg 1 hour video, you're spoiling Mr hey guys😂 what's next 2 hour video?? 👀

[@lizdoesit]

Phil I would love to see a video about adjustments / differences in play, strategy, win rate etc when playing limit.

[@chrisblockley6166]

I had a full house kings and queens today and lost the hand to a royal flush £135 pot 😢

[@gambler222]

amazing video phil. what about hit and runners?

[@cpasa798]

How do you adjust to tables that call to much your early position raise without 3-betting. You keep playing multiway pots out of position with a strong range. AK is specially difficult to play here because it miss 2/3 of the time and it’s hard to bluff multiple opponents OOP. If you hit you are only getting action when you are behind

[@spacecadetsMia]

Maybe 3bet larger if they call and it's multiway and you miss the flop just fold.

[@johnmorgan233]

Pocket 9s and 10s have Similar playabity issues

[@cpasa798]

@@johnmorgan233 yes, but they have better implied odd properties. AK has none

[@hemispherecompensation]

​@@spacecadetsMia he means when you RFI

[@andrewb4943]

It’s pretty simple .. don’t cbet if you miss multi-way with ak.

[@jbpokerwar8962]

Phil I like to make money....shhh lol. No great content man, keep it coming!

[@PhilGalfond]

🙂

[@FrankMitchell-lh1pl]

Opponent check raises to often on flops me- oh we’re doing battle…4 bet his ass wider Phil- do xyz on turn & river My brain- 🤯

[@brettblaster]

Goat 🐐

[@VurtAddicted]

My question here is: how much history do you need to spot those traits?

[@jluchette]

It varies at low stakes ( usually play .50/1 - 1/2 so I’m not the one to ask about nosebleeds or even reasonably high stakes) but I’ll weigh in: where I’m at, it’s easy to spot extreme tendencies (if someone sits down and starts bombing flops immediately after about 20 hands of that you can safely assume they’re an over-bluffing maniac, in an extreme example. At higher stakes where people generally don’t make mistakes that are so obvious the average noob can spot them, I’m sure it can take multiple sessions/reviews of hand histories to get clued in on their tendencies. In short: I don’t think it’s a reach to say people make more mistakes and more obvious mistakes the lower the stakes; the higher you get leaks in players’ games are less frequent and less extreme. So we can say “it varies” confidently.

[@enny43_]

I haven't watched yet but I hope each player type is given an analogy to an animal

[@PhilGalfond]

🤣

[@adriantolwinski6356]

Thanks, good content. Your breathing is very uneasy though - relax my guy!

[@mazdaah]

(around 7min time) I assume you misspoke, and meant if you win over 33% of the time. If you win a pot over 50% of the time, any money you put in it is +EV.

[@Isaac-pg2hm]

That's not true. You have to look at pot odds.

[@loco4dogg]

So I don't have to make the max every time I've got the nuts, sometimes it might be smaller than a full double up and that's ok. Hmmm Thanks for all the insights, I've really got to find another player to bounce thoughts/ideas off.

[@PsyferInc]

So if I think my opponent is bluffing all-in, it's ok to call with Jack four? Asking for a friend...

[@myaccount3402]

If you straddle for 1200 and it folds around to a notorious stealer, J high has a bit of value...my wife thought she played it perfectly

[@academicdeaneducation6671]

These all presume you are heads up. Adding a third player creates a serious increase in complexity.

[@wiktor_333]

brazil maniacs should get banned