Columns
Column articles about enjoying poker and fun facts.
All-In EV, Red Line & Blue Line in Poker | How to Read Your Winnings Graph
A complete guide to reading your poker winnings graph. Learn what All-In EV actually measures, how the gap with your real line reveals luck, and how the red and blue lines reveal your skill structure.
How to Check Preflop Ranges in GTO Wizard
Learn how to browse preflop solutions in GTO Wizard. Step-by-step guide covering condition setup, reading range charts, and checking 3-bet ranges with screenshots.
GTO Wizard Pricing & Registration | Getting Started Free
Compare GTO Wizard pricing plans and learn how to create a free account. Step-by-step registration guide with screenshots showing what's available on the free plan.
6 Best Free Poker Apps for Learning | A Beginner's Guide
Six carefully selected free poker apps for beginners to practice and improve. From browser-based tools to mobile apps, we cover only legally safe options organized by purpose โ playing with friends, tournament practice, fast-fold training, and stats analysis.
Poker Stats Guide | Key HUD Metrics, Formulas & Optimal Values
A complete guide to poker stats including VPIP, PFR, AF, 3-Bet%, and WTSD. Learn the formulas, optimal values, and how to read opponents by combining multiple stats.
3 Best Poker Study Apps | Free & Paid Learning Paths
We've handpicked 3 poker study apps that actually help you improve. Start with Preflop Trainer to build your foundation, then choose GTO Wizard (paid) or NTPoker (free) based on your budget.
What Is VPIP in Poker? Optimal Values, Position Guide & Opponent Reads
Learn what VPIP means, how to calculate it, optimal values by position and format, how to classify opponents using VPIP and PFR, and how to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Approximating 2-Street Geometric Bet Sizing
A mathematical verification of the approximation formula (SPR+1)/5 for calculating 2-street geometric bet size, with error analysis across various SPRs.
Stack, Effective Stack & SPR โ All in One Guide
Learn poker's Stack, Effective Stack, and SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio) in a single connected flow. From calculation methods to tracking SPR changes and concrete examples showing how the same hand plays differently at different SPRs.
Hypergeometric Size: Bet Sizing When Your Opponent Has Draw Outs
Explore bet sizing when facing draw outs through model calculations. Learn when hypergeometric sizeโlarger than geometric sizeโis justified, with GTO Wizard examples.
![288 Hours of Poker in Las Vegas: My Dream Come True [4th MUSAPO US Internship]](/images/note/n93de852b5847_c7602cb8112dc9c6c97783a1d3b55392.png)
288 Hours of Poker in Las Vegas: My Dream Come True [4th MUSAPO US Internship]
A firsthand account of playing 288 hours of cash games at Las Vegas casinos over one month as a 4th-generation MUSAPO US Intern. From losing 500BB in the first five days to the three key insights that turned things around at 1-3/2-5 stakes.
Casino Poker Rules & Process | A Complete Guide from Seating to Cashing Out
A beginner's guide to casino poker rules. Learn table rules, buy-ins, rake, and the full process from getting seated to cashing out โ with real-world examples from the US, Korea, and the Philippines.
How to Deal Poker | Dealing Order, Shuffling, and Pitching Tips
A beginner-friendly guide to poker dealing. Learn the dealer's role, hand procedure, card dealing order, shuffle steps, and pitching techniques with practical tips and drills.
What Is a Poker Tournament? | How to Enter, Costs & Major Events
A beginner's guide to poker tournaments โ how they work, how to enter, costs, and an overview of major events in Japan and worldwide including JOPT, WSOP, EPT, WPT, and APT.
Quantal Response Equilibrium (QRE) in the AKQ Game
Logit QRE applied to the AKQ game: calculation, Nash equilibrium comparison, exploitability, and statistical mechanics.
Nash Equilibrium in Multiway Pots and Equilibrium Selection Theory
Why Nash equilibrium strategies are not GTO in multiway pots. Explore MDF sharing, equilibrium selection criteria, and how GTO Wizard uses QRE to choose among multiple Nash equilibria, all through 3-way extensions of the AKQ game.
Corrected MDF and Flop Defense Frequency Theory
This advanced theory article examines MDF criticisms through AKQ and [0,1] models, introducing 'corrected MDF' that accounts for equity differences. Estimate flop c-bet defense frequencies with rigorous model calculations.
Oryuin University Poker Department Entrance Exam
Exam proctor: Sigma (Twitter: @sigm_4)
Oryuin University Poker Department Entrance Exam: Answer Key
Sigma Prep School: Sigma (Twitter: @sigm_4)
Playing Poker in Tokyo | A Complete Beginner's Guide
A complete guide for beginners who want to play poker in Tokyo. Learn how amusement poker works, typical costs, how to choose a venue, what to expect on your first visit, and common beginner mistakes.
How to Choose Poker Playing Cards | Size, Material & Best Brands Explained
A beginner's guide to choosing poker playing cards. Learn the difference between poker and bridge size, plastic vs. paper, whether cards are disposable, and compare top brands (TRILLION, COPAG, SLOWPLAY, KEM).
Poker All-In Guide | Side Pots, Chops & Run It Twice
A complete guide to poker all-in rules. Learn how side pots are calculated, when a chop happens, and how Run It Twice works, with diagrams and examples.
Preflop Situations Explained | Steal, Squeeze, Isolate & Walk
Learn four key preflop situation terms in poker. This beginner guide explains what steal, squeeze, isolate, and walk mean โ with concrete examples and a comparison chart.
Poker Tournament Terms Explained | Re-entry, Rebuy, Add-on & Freezeout
A beginner-friendly guide to poker tournament terms: re-entry, late registration, rebuy, add-on, and freezeout. Includes a comparison table and tips on when to re-enter or add on.
Poker Side Games | A Complete Guide to Cash Game Special Games
A complete list of special games played in poker cash games. Covers straddles, bomb pots, the 7-2 game, stand up game, squid game, win the button, ocean, and mushroom.
What Is a Straddle in Poker? Types, Pros & Cons, and Strategy
Learn what a straddle is in poker cash games. Covers UTG straddle, Mississippi straddle, re-straddle, plus how to adjust your strategy when facing a straddle.
What Is a Bomb Pot? Double Board, Coo Coo Richie & More
Everything about bomb pots in poker cash games. Covers the basic rules, double board bomb pot, PLO bomb pot, and Coo Coo Richie (pot-bet or fold format).
Stand Up Game & Squid Game | Poker Penalty Side Games
Learn the rules of the Stand Up Game (Nit Game) and Squid Game in poker cash games. Covers penalties, how each game works, and the key differences between them.
Types of Poker Tournaments | Bounty, Turbo, Deepstack & More
A comprehensive guide to poker tournament types: bounty (PKO, mystery bounty), turbo, deepstack, double stack, AoF, heads-up, tag team, and more. Learn what every format name means before your next event.
What Is Tilt in Poker? 7 Types and How to Overcome It
Learn about the 7 types of poker tilt from 'The Mental Game of Poker,' their causes, how to identify your patterns, and practical strategies to prevent and manage tilt.
What Are the Bubble and ITM in Poker? | Key Tournament Terms Explained
A beginner-friendly guide to the poker tournament Bubble and In The Money (ITM). Covers related terms like Bubble Line, Bubble Boy, ITM Rate, and In The Prizes (ITP).
What Is a Poker Tournament Structure? How to Read Blind Schedules
Learn what a poker tournament structure is. This beginner-friendly guide covers blind levels, antes, level times, how to read a structure sheet, and how structure affects your strategy.
Poker Etiquette | Know the Difference Between Rule Violations and Bad Manners
A beginner's guide to poker etiquette. Learn about string bets, slow rolls, and other rule violations and bad manners โ with clear reasons why each one matters. Feel confident at your first live poker table.
![Blind Heads-Up 25bb Preflop Strategy [Ajo MTT Vol.1]](/images/thumbnails/article-mtt-blind-battle-25bb-preflop-en-md.webp)
Blind Heads-Up 25bb Preflop Strategy [Ajo MTT Vol.1]
A GTO Wizard walkthrough of the SB vs BB heads-up situation in the mid-to-late MTT stage with 50% of the field remaining and 25bb effective. Covering SB's four options (all-in / 3BB raise / limp / fold), BB's responses, and an ICM-aware exploit plan. Vol.1 of Ajo's MTT Strategy Series.
![The Complete Guide to 3-Betting | Polar, Depolar, Linear, Super Polar [Ajo MTT Vol.2]](/images/thumbnails/article-mtt-3bet-response-patterns-en-md.webp)
The Complete Guide to 3-Betting | Polar, Depolar, Linear, Super Polar [Ajo MTT Vol.2]
A GTO Wizard walkthrough of four 3-bet construction patterns in MTTs โ polar (deep IP), depolar (short IP), linear (OOP), and super polar (from the BB) โ covering LJ vs BTN at 80bb and 25bb, LJ vs SB at 40bb, and CO vs BB at 40bb. Vol.2 of Ajo's MTT Strategy Series.
![LJ vs BB SRP C-Bet Strategy | 30bb Board-by-Board Hit Chart [Ajo MTT Vol.3]](/images/thumbnails/article-mtt-cb-lj-vs-bb-srp-30bb-en-md.webp)
LJ vs BB SRP C-Bet Strategy | 30bb Board-by-Board Hit Chart [Ajo MTT Vol.3]
A GTO Wizard walkthrough of c-betting strategy in LJ vs BB SRPs at ES 30bb. Covers c-bet frequency tendencies by high card / suit / pairedness / connectedness, plus eight individual board breakdowns (A95, K95, KK5, K55, 777, 862). Vol.3 of Ajo's MTT Strategy Series.
![FT 20bb BB Defense Ranges | vs Open by Position [Ajo MTT Vol.5]](/images/thumbnails/article-mtt-ft-20bb-bb-defense-ranges-en-md.webp)
FT 20bb BB Defense Ranges | vs Open by Position [Ajo MTT Vol.5]
How to defend the BB at the final table of a 1,000-runner MTT with everyone on 20bb under maximum ICM pressure. Position-by-position breakdown (vs UTG/HJ/BTN/SB-open/SB-limp) covering call / 3-bet (small + jam) / fold construction and size-by-size responses, all from GTO Wizard ICM solutions. Vol.5 of Ajo's MTT Strategy Series.
![FT 20bb Open Ranges | Position-by-Position ICM Guide [Ajo MTT Vol.4]](/images/thumbnails/article-mtt-ft-20bb-open-ranges-en-md.webp)
FT 20bb Open Ranges | Position-by-Position ICM Guide [Ajo MTT Vol.4]
A GTO Wizard ICM walkthrough of open ranges at the 9-handed final table of a 1,000-runner MTT, with everyone sitting on 20bb and a 10x prize gradient between 9th and 1st. Covers UTG, LJ, HJ, CO, BTN, and SB strategies and how ICM reshapes hand values. Vol.4 of Ajo's MTT Strategy Series.