Phil Galfond has revealed the eight poker strategy keys of success, which made him one of the biggest online poker winners of all time and bluff more than $1 billion! The former Run it Once owner distilled all of his advice on bluffing into eight simple tweets.
Phil Galfond Bluffed Over $1 Billion in 18 Years
Want to outsmart your opponents and master bluffing?
I’ve distilled my 18 years and $1b+ bluffed to these 8 tips ⬇️
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) January 24, 2023
Phil Galfond’s Golden 8 Rules of Poker Strategy
The first couple of points delve into understanding the type of board in front of the player. Attacking boards that aren’t good for an opponent’s range is great advice, offering a simple way to profit by only understanding what cards each player holds.
Secondly, bluffing too much when draws miss is a recipe for disaster as the average opponent will overcall.
2. Be careful bluffing when draws miss
When you’ve called two bets on J♦️ 9♦️ 4♣️ 5♣️, and get checked to on the A♦️ river, you need to restrict your bluffs.
Why?
In theory, because you have many missed draws.
In practice, people know & they like to overcall in these spots.
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) January 24, 2023
Next up, Galfond explains that understanding your own range is essential to being able to represent the right hands. He then points out that playing against weak players should be easy as they only focus on their own hand.
4. Against weak players, focus on their hand
Weaker players aren’t adept hand readers.
They’ll tend to fold weak hands and call or raise strong hands.
If you can put them on a weak range, attack!
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) January 24, 2023
Against strong players, playing a range is the best way as your opponent will know how many value bets and bluffs you have.
Then he writes about how important it is to spot a player who is scared to lose a big pot.
6. Know your opponent
Can you tell this player is afraid of losing a big pot?
Or that another player gets SO much enjoyment out of a winning hero call?
You can sometimes judge by how mindlessly someone folds that they aren’t hungry for every pot.
Bluff the right players!
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) January 24, 2023
It is also good to know who is playing higher than usual stakes or running deeper in a tournament than ever before.
Finally, Phil Galfond explains the concept of leverage. Letting your opponent know that you’re threatening their entire stack is powerful and they will be more likely to get out of your way.
8. Use leverage
When you’re cbetting the turn, or check-raising the flop, your opponent knows they might need to call more than just this bet.
Make it clear early in the hand that you might be threatening their stack.
They’ll be more likely to get out of your way.
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) January 24, 2023
- Get the best rakeback deals
- View all poker strategy articles
- View the latest poker news
- Watch more poker videos
- Get the biggest poker bonus
- Watch the best Twitch Poker streamers
Terms and conditions apply. New customer offer and 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly! Should you require help regarding your betting pattern, visit www.begambleaware.org
