Top 5 MORE Low Stakes Poker Hacks

[@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

[@AmbitiousAngel]

We've liked and subscribed already bro, don't even worry about it 😎😎

[@KarateBaker75]

Many times in low stakes, someone thinks they are playing against a weaker player, but in fact they are the weaker player themselves and they can't recognize that.

[@OGRE_HATES_NERDS]

these are the people whonare loudmouth in the chat, best ppl to play against online

[@samreimer3450]

These videos are some of the best free poker content on the internet

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad you’re enjoying them!

[@marksimpson2321]

@@PhilGalfond agreed. Brilliant content. It's taken me years to realise that if I 3 bet loads more especially v late position raises BUT fold or only call more to 3 bets then my win rate will increase. Also , I am v rarely 4 bet at micros without KK-AA and AK maybe

[@jonslg240]

@@PhilGalfond this is one of your far better videos, most of the viewers you're trying to target play 2/3, the vast majority of people looking for poker advice are playing 2/3 and 3/5 nowadays because a lot of states aren't online friendly and a lot of people don't know how to use crypto, even the ones who own it don't understand or don't trust private wallets

[@theduppykillah]

Watched you play many many times on TV in some big games. Respect your play, solid vids, appreciate the calm no nonsense delivery and simple real world strategy. A fan

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much. Glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@DavidSilva-nb2hb]

phil is out here pushing super high quality content at a super fast rate. truly awesome man, thanks a lot for the vids.

[@aubreysharp7397]

I’ve just been switching over to more live cash, very profitable so far in the 1/3 games and a home game I go to which is .50/1 I appreciate the content as it helps me play more comfortably

[@zorlacmc]

Hi Phil, really great advice. One thing I think you missed is 'table selection' though. I know this applies to all stakes, but at low stakes its possible to find yourself at a table of micro-grinders. But without much searching, you can easily find tables full of call stations and maniacs looking to gamboool etc. These games are of course super easy to play and will make the biggest difference to your win rate.

[@zackashbel8925]

Great tips, I think one crucial thing to add to your 3 betting tips is always be aware of opponents stack size and pot size, this can vastly change your decisions

[@Kimock7Autism]

exactly - 3 betting the chip leader at a cash table can really backfire.

[@zackashbel8925]

@@Kimock7Autism potentially, but im talking more about 3 people limp with sub 30 bb stacks and your in the SB w KT suited, if your deeper its a raise but the best play is to probably limp because you have no stack depth. If you were to raise and the limpers call, they will probably put in almost half their stack. Being hyper aware of players stack sizes imo is crucial to crushing 1-2.

[@jeffshackleford3152]

​@@zackashbel8925I hate short stacks. It seems like it is always a moron who just happens to get there when he shoves pre with 72o and cracks kings. Though once you are deep they are really easy to play against especially post flop, just put them all in, most of the time they will fold and you can 3 bet them out of pots pretty easily.

[@eliuw7070]

The fact that Phil records these videos and posts them for free is astounding. There aren't many people in the world who can teach poker better than this

[@bradensmith8170]

Tip 5 is so simple but sooooo good to highlight! Thanks man! Keep it coming!

[@losyart]

I love these videos and your calm, steady behaviour/nature. Very helpful and logical advices thank you. Greetings and all the best in new year !!!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! Happy New Year 😃

[@jackryan716]

Great video Phil! Appreciate the knowledge. Identify the weaknesses in your opponents. Exploit them. Play people off there perceptions. Simple game to learn, difficult to master.

[@0580steve]

I'm a big fan and always enjoy your content. I take notes from every video I watch. Do you think you could do a video on regaining confidence? Recounting some of your personal experiences and maybe some of the people you know and how you worked through it would be helpful. I've really gotten decimated lately and I know it's a combination of bad beats, stupid plays, bad bluffs and getting bluffs picked off but it's gotten to the point where I'm questioning quitting PLO. My bluffing problems seem to be either poorly timed or fear of pulling the trigger for a large sizing.

[@PurpleDaner]

Love this stuff Phil! Thank you Bring back Philosophy!!

[@aaron9361]

How do you reconcile #1 and #2? Does aggressive not include calling a lot of bets? BTW thanks for the videos, really enjoy them

[@sigbrotum2191]

Absolute gold mine Phil!

[@lilyt8785]

I know someone who has been 3betting with KTs and even KT, KJo. He's on a massive downswing, but the key is at our game, no one is folding, and usually 3-6 players will call a big 3bet. What range should he be 3betting at tables like this? A merged range?

[@dowhatyouwant99]

Great tips Phil! Would love some tips on turbo/hyper turbo tournaments. Where the blinds are 15 mins or less and stacks are often quite shallow. Thanks for the free content xx

[@philmorris2521]

there are no tips other than use your NASH shove chart and get it in pre flop, thats it shimples

[@DostoevskyGrandson]

yes that would be great tips for online low stakes tournaments

[@Stefanburakov]

@@philmorris2521 dont agree

[@Stefanburakov]

@@DostoevskyGrandson no

[@ryanjones4150]

I grind the low stakes full-time, and all of this is right on the money. In the room that I play in, there are a lot of regulars, and everyone knows I am a pro. When you know all of the people that you play against all the time, it's very important to always be paying attention to how they play AND to what it is that they think about how you play your hands. So, being balanced and using GTO principals to some degree is important, but knowing your player in games like these is king, so don't sit there with headphones on, interact with people and make the game fun. Don't always be talking about poker, talk about movies and music and tell jokes, but pay attention. For example, lets say a bunch of people limp and you raise it up on the button with AJ suited, and all you flop is back-door draws and an overcard. If you KNOW that Dave, Mike, Justin, Sarah and Ming would never check-raise you if you bet, then bet 1/3 of the pot, even though the theory says you shouldn't. You can decide what to do on the turn if anybody calls, that's when the game really starts in loosey-goosey hold'em. Also, always remember that the number one tell in these kind of games is bet-sizing. The bet-fold is a powerful tool against people who never bluff. And, my number one hack in these games is to look at people behind you to see if it looks they are going to fold pre-flop : You can use this to effectively move your position up and open with weaker hands or to isolate weak players, and the thing is, when there ends up being a show-down, people won't understand what you are doing, they will just think you are too loose and aggressive.

[@cactuarnoob100]

Hope to see you keep growing! And meet your goals! Happy new years to your family!

[@collinleger9546]

I’ve been toying around on GTO wizard, and a lot of 3-bet defends are actually just evaluated at 0.00-0.1 EV. Really has kept me from second guessing folding OK hands to tight 3-bet ranges

[@PhilGalfond]

Absolutely. Great point. So many of the calls are near breakeven.

[@keitho6018]

Your poker voice and demeanor are equivalent to "alexa play creek sounds" Calming and relaxing...Love these videos...thanks for you time

[@mrnegative48]

to add to this i'd say be way tighter than GTO, because of the high rake you should drop many marginal spots and focus on mainly making money when people do stupid things. There is no point flipping with TT vs AKo and losing 1-2% every time in rake. GTO also expects us to play perfectly balanced postflop which is extremely difficult. I'm not calling with garbage oop so i can make 0.05% EV

[@neopromise]

Mr galfond is a pokerplayer who loves more the game than the money... thx sir.......and talks very clear...

[@KingRockPoker]

What do you consider tight ranges when playing low stakes

[@brianpotter2812]

Thanks Phil. Going to my local casino for some $1/$2 NLHE action tomorrow and this was a good reaffirmation of the concepts we SHOULD be using at these low stakes. I often see weird bets where someone was 3bet preflop, they rec player calls, and then they C-bet less than a 1/3 with their aces. Standard odds suggest to call if I only have one pair, but this video just made me remember that this is why they do that stuff.

[@jeffshackleford3152]

Nah dawg don't slow play AA. Just be aggressive and get it in.

[@Rufusbrown75]

Another great video

[@gilbertsylvain7802]

Appreciate the calm demeanour. Like Phil Ivey. But more Canadian. 😊

[@jasontwyman5830]

you should read bedtime stories. Your voice and calm demeanor takes me off Tilt.

[@markc8049]

Your the best! Im following you since the early high stakes cash game. I remeber that particular hand against johnny chan where you folded a split pot! Same thing happened to me once thats why itll be always in my memory

[@danielgarland9838]

Great video Phil! No doubt with the quality you are producing your channel will grow exponentially in 2023 #letsgo!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks, Daniel! I’m going to do my best!

[@paulied1850]

Have to say I've watched you on HSP and other shows from way back and always thought you were a great player but didn't like your personality so much. But these videos have turned a new leaf for me and I'm diggin your vibe a lot more now. Keep up the good work!

[@agentzero4281]

RT - life is better knowing phil galfond is in the world with me.

[@michaelradomicki3498]

Absolutely love your videos, your ability to articulate the nuances of the game is far above anyone else doing poker strategy content on KZbin. Been playing 2-5 and 5-10 PLO for the past 5 years, live games only. Could you address specifically strategy for 9 handed live cash PLO games

[@eugeneahmad5459]

I just seen some of your videos, and I really enjoy them so far.

[@duster66]

question, older guy, plays / have played NLTH for decades. Non Pro, have started playing PLO. Aggressive, always have biggest stack or close to. Can you recommend a book that will talk about range and hand odds, finding the change rather difficult, speed and quick play can leave me behind the 8 ball way to often. Like you Videos

[@rcchristian2]

Quick question Phil. What exact low stakes are you referring to? Your low stakes may not be what my low stakes are!! Or my low stakes may not be different than someone else. I would assume you are talking about $1/$2 or under? Great video by the way :)

[@marksimpson2321]

Jonathan little always refers to 'low stakes' as weak players rather than financial levels so a lot of 0.10/0.25 online games would be much tougher than say £1/£1 or many $2/$5 games in LA or Texas

[@rcchristian2]

@@marksimpson2321 fair enough! ty and happy almost new year!

[@AidanDotDash]

my strategy is just to be very very quiet and straight faced kinda like phil ivey. i just play tight and listen to everybody talking and watch what hands they play and then abuse them based on that.

[@diaryofacrankykid7270]

@4:00 it's for this very reason that I always have a story to tell that paints me like a complete fish. Works like a charm every time!

[@JESUSandPoker]

I agree with being nitty to 3-bets, but sometimes they also make the mistake of 3-betting too small, so you can still call

[@PhilGalfond]

Great point! They absolutely do.

[@Stefanburakov]

It its cash game or early in turnaments you can make real good money here with 22-JJ and 45-78s and AXs

[@mrcanada1104]

Love these tips. Sat at a table for the first time in almost a decade, and it just felt so easy to adjust to the loose-passive play of small stakes, compared to the strength of players a decade ago. No one three-bet light, overfolds everywhere, calling so light it was like stealing from them. Your first top 5 printed money for me!

[@PhilGalfond]

So happy to hear that! Hope these continue to help.

[@AlexXanderMarketing]

Good video Phil. Can we get a Part 3 To this?

[@PhilGalfond]

I’ll see what I can come up with for 5 more! I bet I can do it.

[@rangerlove7856]

I Sure Value Your Insights and knowledge on Poker !!! Thank You for Sharing and Teaching 💯‼️🙏

[@neilfarquhar716]

Great video! Phil is holding the nuts when it comes to poker content on KZbin… Legend! Thanks very much 😃👍🏻

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you very much 😊

[@tassv5909]

Regarding point 4 and 5 indeed they are very true: You mentioned "when your edge goes up with your variance it doesnt increase the odds of having a downswing it can reduce them". There are some recreationals who play every hand. If you iso or 3 bet them with any 2 you can crush them. Mostly cos they miss most flops and do not raise enough with air.

[@RolandoAvila-ep7cu]

Thank you Mr.Galfond for your service to the poker community.

[@adrianoalves20]

Excellent! Please Phil, show us some practical eg using those pieces of advice!

[@carldavis6902]

I’m in Texas ( Lubbock area ) every game is a round of Holdem and PLO. Played Holdem a lot but need some help with PLO Any advice would be great

[@jackmac15]

I feel like i can get to the right decisions very often while reviewing hands but struggle make good decisions in the moment. Would be great if you did a video about what to think about during the hand. I understand that thinks are more obvious and clear in hindsight, surely there are some things we can focus on during the hand.

[@jackmac15]

I've had some time to think about this a bit and noticed some of my questions answered in the play your A game video. As with a lot of things what i should specifically think about during a particular hand is going to depend! I used to hate hearing that answer to my questions but its true. The ideal thought process would be a slimmed down concise thought process of your actual thought process from your review thoughts. The ideal thought process in this spot for me compared to someone else should be different, and should be different for me even at different points in time. If we have noticed something we need to improve on, that could be a focus. As long as we are thinking logically and getting in the ball park in the moment, then we should be happy with that. :D Thanks Phil

[@youngsroc2006]

Love these videos ! Can we get more of them geared towards PLO?

[@PhilGalfond]

I’m worried people won’t be quite as interested, but yes - I’ll try. Check out my Shorts here on KZbin if you haven’t yet. Plenty of PLO hand reviews.

[@DavidLebold]

Thank you Phil.

[@vladimirelgrande754]

Another great piece of advice, Phil. I appreciate it a lot. Thank you all.

[@2AMBurrito]

Enjoying the new content. I am trying to cover some more poker content on my streams and podcasts.

[@veradux5580]

So I should play bigger pots against weaker opposition in position with superior hands? Sounds like a good catchphrase

[@Marc-wm7xq]

so now the time is over having you like a private channel :). good work pays off!! best content in the universe. short, precise, poker theory at its best! thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PhilGalfond]

♥️

[@spliifff]

Super video. When deep and in pos i raise/call raises with high implied odds hands like pairs, SC's and only call/fold with low implied hands like ATo, KQo etc. I don't fully understanding why this change vs a weak player, when in pos. AND DEEP. Don't you still wanna keep the pot "smallish" with TPGK-type hands, even though opponent is weak??

[@senseipyro1409]

Phil, these are incredible videos. Much appreciated

[@fabian13333]

Thank you

[@kaleboomgeit]

Enjoyed your vids on RIO and this is great content too. Thanks Phil!

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks, Marvin!

[@RobOConnor108]

Good stuff as always but the cuts every 3 seconds make it hard to watch, for me at least..maybe I'm just old.

[@Tsunami-]

Enjoying your videos a lot, thanks for continuing to make great content!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome! Thank you for commenting and letting me know ♥️

[@insomnyteq]

I’m such a simp literally salivating for galfond goodness

[@paulpunts]

Amazing value. Thank you. ❤

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome. Thanks for letting me know you appreciated it ❤️

[@riz87]

Hey Phil, love your stuff! Do you have any recommendations on any modern poker books for cash games?

[@ricardosantiago8547]

Top 5 hands we should fold in NLH Phil pls just like the video you made for PLO but for hold em

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Stefanburakov]

With short stack less then 35bb in turnaments you should not overrate 45,56s etc (my favorite hands if cash 500-2000bb deep) same with 22-77 would say this hands almost not playable the opposite goes for deep stack cash games you should almost always fold hands like A9off KJoff Q9s etc and be very carefull with AQ AJ KQ QQ JJ even AK depending who you play against and how deep.

[@Vikinginvietnam]

One of the best videos you have made Phil🙌🙌

[@Pokerfarhang]

Thanks for the great tips, gonna try them

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re welcome, Araz! Let me know how they work out!

[@joakimhug417]

Hi Phil. Thanks again,. This content is amazing. Years ago you wrote some basic articles about PLO. They helped me improve in the low stakes live games, and has won me a lot of money. I would like you to talk about this: So im playing regularly in this €2/€4 NL in a spanish casino. The pool is ridiculosly weak with a few execptions. Ususally there will be 3-5 players at the table buying in with 100-200 € and limp a super wide range. So they call the €4 and then 3-5 players call the 25€ raise. So a lot of spots where im 4 ways to a flop with what basically is SPR 1. How do we exploit this?

[@sevakohanian7335]

The only thing you can do is raise stronger hands so you have a higher chance of outflopping the callers or increase the raise size to a point where some consider a fold.

[@anthonychambers9776]

I'll say this, at lower stakes "stakes I play" you are more likely to make way more money off playing your kk qq fast, and slow playing aces, however stealing 3bb 4bb pots with nothing, semi bluffs, flush draws or because you feel villian raises light... You will min cash most tourneys, variance is just that. Study and learn these spots!! Always a pleasure learning or watching PG... Wierd gonna change my name to phil.. Numerous great players both cash and tourney named phil!!😉💪🙏

[@JasonG123]

So if you’re at 1/2 game with $250 effective and average opens are 10-15 and average 3 bet is 25-50, essentially 125 big blind stack, usually 100-250BB around the table. What bet sizing is recommended after the flop with about 70-100 in the pot. It feels almost pot committed on the turn

[@AmpereNA]

Sounds like maybe you should build up a bigger bank roll for 1/2 games or leave the table if you don’t have hands you’re comfortable playing so much

[@miked5256]

#2 is technically the same as original video :)

[@origisalah]

these hacks are specific to NLHE it sounds like more than PLO?

[@nishantjain241]

Can someone explain fourth point please? I have no clue what he said.

[@j.sarnak1391]

Great info, as usual Phil. These are things that I do keep it mind when I am playing live at my local casino and 3 betting more often to isolate seems to work really well among the player pool. I can tell many people do not really like it, and it seems like it causes them to make more mistakes

[@PhilGalfond]

Nice! Yeah, it makes people very uncomfortable, which leads to bigger mistakes.

[@nonsimplesimon]

What's amazing about this video all of this is discussed in detail in the timeless book "small stakes holdem" by Ed Miller. It's almost like he just summed up the book. On a different note re iso ing and 3bing different ranges... I 3b and Iso almost 100% from the button with these different ranges BUT call from the SB vs UTG-HJ and 3b HJ-BU... these ranges deviate by position. Variance and win rate increase and go down when we iso and 3b tight ranges. Youve gotta know their ranges better than them! ;);););) This is key and you nailed it. Thanks again Phil! 🙏 I have such a man crush on you 🤣 (edit: congrats you're in the same camp as Leonardo DiCaprio and Sir Henrik Lundqvis!)

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow, were they all in there? I never read SSH because I didn’t play limit games, but I heard it was fantastic.

[@windy6455]

I went on LoA from work to try trading plus playing live poker 2/3 400 cap 20-25 hours a week (i average 14bb an hour after Cali rake plus dealer tips the first 60 days). I love that be nitty especially against 3 bets is top 1 I agree. I’ve folded AQo oop to a 3.5x 3 bet and folded JJ from utg to a 6.5x bb squeeze (he had aces). I disagree with perspective that it’s not “winning money”. The game is a game of volume right. In that volume we have times to we have top end of cooler hands and bottom end. In total If we can fold out when we have bottom end but get value at top end, that whole thing is now more profitable. I really like this list here from my experience. My sample size is smallish live I know, but after couple years online I actually feel I’e run a little more bad than good

[@gilbertsylvain7802]

Love it.

[@Josh2021586]

subbed, love it mate. aus

[@Kevin-ji4lt]

Thanks for these, Phil.

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome 🙂

[@joelserna7435]

Thank you for this video!!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@changanhe8192]

Wish I know to be nitty against 3bet earlier.

[@wizman243]

I would love to see some of your live play sessions and/or session reviews. Your knowledge is extremely helpful!

[@HoneyBadger_DontGive_F]

What can you do when the whole table players are NIT?

[@c4stanbury]

THX!

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome!

[@SmileyTilty]

Amazing, thanks 🐐

[@PhilGalfond]

You’re very welcome 🙂

[@noysauce]

I prefer the prepared answers, overall great content.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@Zergosss]

is 0.5-1$ considered low stakes?

[@Flairace]

Phil, love those videos but, if possible, could you use more of plo hand examples, please?At least sometimes. thanks in advance.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you! I think the general public might get lost if I use PLO examples in NL-centric videos. Have you checked out the Shorts I’ve been releasing on here? I’ve done only PLO hand reviews so far.

[@tylerjoyner9865]

Looking good unc

[@bigshooter4479]

Really good!

[@TheGodbody]

Awesome video 💯💯💯

[@anthonybasile154]

Hi Phil how big should my bank roll be if I’m playing 2/5 or how much money should I bring to the table thx

[@piowizard7917]

Nice video Phil! I play 2/5 500max live. I rarely flat IP, opting to only 3b. No one 4bets so I find myself 3betting any somewhat reasonable hand when I'm BTN/CO/HJ. $20 is the standard open here. I 3bet to $55 generally. I was wondering do you think I should go bigger IP ($65-$70) just based on the fact that they're not 4betting, or do you like $55 because they call OOP with too many weak and dominated hands? Thanks! RIO is the best!! Im Elite Member but I don't watch your videos, I'm sorry LOL, I don't mess with PLO. Convince Luke to come back!!

[@bobbywhite1645]

#1 play nitty #2 play aggressively

[@kerborg23]

Miss seeing Phil G in challenges! You're so fking good

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊. I miss playing challenges too!

[@rongroom70]

If I'm 3-betting out of position against someone who opened raised on the button, that means I would of "limped" in initially before I could 3-bet against a button raise. If I have a good enough hand out of position, I would have normally already raised initially. Usually when someone 3-bets after limping, it is thought of as a 'fish move.' lol. thoughts/suggestions?

[@iSocket_]

the 3bet oop here refers to when you're in the SB/BB facing a BN open, not because you open limped (which you note is bad)

[@Dynamice1337]

Personally I think the concept of having no limping range in a table full of fish is a bit shortsighted. I like to blend in with the fish, instead of making it obvious that I am a shark in their midst. In low level games, attack calling stations with heavy value bets with moderately strong hands and bluff less.

[@JackFate61]

Thanks Phil

[@PhilGalfond]

No problem 🙂

[@FullNelsonGamingCorp]

i tried going to the casino after watching this video, lost my entire bankroll ugh!

[@georgewbushcenterforintell147]

I been playing poker for many years I understand certain concepts but I don't get the solver thing . Can you make a video of how you Phil galfond practice using a solver . I would just like to see the process and how you use it to study poker . Thanks also I play mostly live so do solvers really apply to live games ?

[@JESUSandPoker]

Just look up videos on solvers

[@georgewbushcenterforintell147]

@@JESUSandPoker okay tell a big person to lose weight by eating less

[@Stefanburakov]

If you play live less then 2-5 I think you should Not waste time on solver it can even make your game worse.

[@ticenits1926]

Welp 2/5 just got a lot harder, thx Phil!