Heal poker leaks

Stop calling too wide from the blinds. Many players lose money by defending with weak hands like K2o or Q7s, hoping to hit the flop. Tighten your range–fold hands below Q9o or J8s unless the opponent raises too small. This simple adjustment cuts losses by at least 2-3 big blinds per 100 hands.

Pay attention to bet sizing on the river. If you bet half-pot with strong hands but full-pot with bluffs, observant opponents will exploit you. Keep your river bets consistent–use 75% pot for both value and bluffs to make your strategy harder to read.

Stop overvaluing weak top pairs. Hands like A9 on a 9-7-2 board often lose to better kickers or sets. Check-call instead of betting three streets–this saves money when you’re behind and still gets value from worse hands.

Track your fold-to-cbet stats. If you’re folding over 60% to continuation bets, you’re giving up too much. Float more in position with backdoor draws or overcards, especially against aggressive players who cbet too often.

Fix Common Poker Leaks and Improve Your Game

Stop Overvaluing Marginal Hands Postflop

Many players lose chips by stubbornly continuing with weak pairs or draws that rarely improve. If you call a bet on the flop with second pair, ask yourself:

• How often will this hand improve by the river?
• Does my opponent’s betting pattern suggest a stronger hand?
• Can I realistically bluff later streets if I miss?

Fold more often when you lack clear equity or fold equity. Middle pair with a weak kicker wins small pots but loses big ones.

Adjust Your Continuation Bet Frequency

C-betting 100% of flops is predictable. Vary your strategy based on:

1. Board texture – Dry boards favor higher c-bet frequencies (70-80%), while wet boards require more checks (40-50%).
2. Opponent tendencies – Against calling stations, reduce bluffs. Against tight players, increase aggression.
3. Your image – If you’ve been caught bluffing recently, check more strong hands for balance.

Track your c-bet stats in tracking software. Aim for 55-65% overall in 6-max cash games.

Pay attention to bet sizing. On dry boards, use 25-33% pot. On dynamic boards, go for 50-75% to deny equity.

Stop Overplaying Weak Hands Preflop

Fold hands like K7o, Q9o, and J6s from early positions–they lose money long-term. These hands rarely flop strong enough to justify playing out of position against tight opponents.

Know Your Opening Ranges

Stick to a tight range in early positions (UTG, UTG+1): pairs 22+, suited aces A5s+, broadways like KQs, and strong offsuit hands like AQo+. As you move closer to the button, gradually add suited connectors (65s+) and weaker suited aces (A2s-A4s).

If facing a 3-bet, fold hands like AJo or KQo unless you have a clear read. These hands struggle against stronger ranges and often lead to tough postflop decisions.

Avoid Defending Too Wide

When facing a raise, don’t automatically defend hands like T8o or 75s from the blinds. These hands perform poorly against strong ranges and often require perfect flops to continue. Fold unless you have a positional advantage or a clear skill edge.

Use a 3-bet or fold strategy with marginal hands in the small blind. Flat-calling with weak suited connectors invites multi-way pots where your equity shrinks.

Track hands where you called preflop and lost. If a hand consistently underperforms, remove it from your range. Adjust based on opponent tendencies–loose players allow wider defends, but tight opponents punish them.

Reduce C-Betting Too Frequently on Dry Boards

Dry boards (like K-7-2 rainbow) often lack strong draws, making them poor candidates for frequent continuation bets. If you c-bet 100% of your range here, you’ll face excessive check-raises and lose value against weaker hands that fold too often.

When to Check Back

Check behind with hands that can’t withstand pressure but still have showdown value–middle pairs, ace-high, or weak top pairs. For example, on a Q-8-3 board with AQ, checking retains your opponent’s bluffs while avoiding bloating the pot unnecessarily.

Use a mixed strategy: c-bet 50-60% on dry flops instead of autopiloting. This balances protection and pot control. Save aggressive betting for boards where your range connects better (e.g., high-card paired textures).

Adjust to Opponent Tendencies

Against passive players who rarely check-raise, increase c-bet frequency slightly–but still avoid betting weak hands like 3rd pair. Versus aggressive opponents, tighten your c-betting range to premium pairs and strong draws, letting them bluff into you.

Track flop types where your c-bets fail. If a board like J-5-2 gets too many folds, reduce bets there and shift focus to turn leverage with delayed aggression.

Avoid Calling Too Wide in the Blinds

Defending the blinds with too many weak hands burns chips. Stick to a tight range–fold hands like K7o, Q5s, or J8o against early-position raises. These hands rarely flop well and often lead to difficult postflop decisions.

Against late-position opens, add a few more suited connectors and one-gappers (e.g., 76s, T9o) but avoid unsuited broadways like QJo. These hands look strong but struggle to realize equity out of position.

Adjust for opponent tendencies. Facing a tight player’s raise? Fold marginal hands like A2s-A5s. Against a loose raiser, defend wider with suited aces and pairs down to 55, but still avoid weak offsuit holdings.

3-bet or fold works better than calling with medium-strength hands. If you call A9o from the big blind and the flop comes K-7-2, you’re often forced to check-fold. Instead, 3-bet or fold preflop to avoid tricky spots.

Track your blind defense stats. If you’re calling more than 40% of big blind hands, tighten up. Focus on hands that play well postflop or have clear equity when called.

Balance Your Bet Sizing for Different Board Textures

Adjust your bet sizes based on board texture to make your strategy harder to exploit. On wet boards (flush draws, straight draws, or high-card coordination), bet larger–around 70-80% of the pot–to charge draws and protect strong hands. On dry boards (paired, low unconnected cards), smaller bets (30-50% pot) work better since fewer hands can continue.

Wet Boards: Charge Draws and Build the Pot

When the flop comes with multiple draws (e.g., J♠9♠4♦), increase your bet size. A 75% pot bet pressures opponents with marginal draws while maximizing value from made hands. If you check too often here, opponents take free cards and outdraw you. Balance by mixing in some checks with strong hands to avoid predictability.

Dry Boards: Small Bets Extract Value

On dry textures (e.g., K♦7♥2♠), most hands miss, so smaller bets (30-50% pot) achieve the same fold equity while risking less. Overbetting here makes it easy for opponents to fold correctly. If you hold a strong hand like top pair, a small bet often gets called by weaker pairs or floats.

Turn and river bet sizing should follow the same logic. On wet runouts, size up to deny equity; on blank cards, downsize to keep weaker hands in. Track how opponents react–if they fold too often to small bets on dry boards, exploit them by betting more frequently.

Stop Bluffing Against Calling Stations

Bluffing against calling stations burns money–they rarely fold, so adjust your strategy. Identify them early by tracking hands where they call down with weak pairs or bottom pair. Once you spot a player who calls too much, stop bluffing them entirely unless you have a strong read.

Target Their Weaknesses Instead

Calling stations pay off big with strong hands, so focus on value betting. Bet thinner for value–they’ll call with second pair or even ace-high. If they call 70% of flops, size up your bets when you hit top pair or better. A 75% pot bet extracts more than a standard 50% bet against these players.

On the flop, check back marginal hands instead of bluffing. If you hold Ace-Ten on a Queen-Seven-Four board, give up unless you improve. Calling stations won’t fold their Queen-Five, so save your chips.

Exploit Their Passive Tendencies

Calling stations often under-defend their checks. If they check-call flop and turn but check again on the river, bet your medium-strength hands for value. They’ll frequently call with weaker pairs or draws that missed.

Use position to control pot size. In late position, check behind on scary turns if they call too wide. This keeps the pot smaller when you’re uncertain and lets you bluff more effectively against tougher opponents.

Improve Your Fold-to-3Bet Percentage

Track your fold-to-3bet stats in your poker tracker–if it’s below 60%, you’re likely calling too often. Tighten your continuing range against 3bets by folding hands like KJo, ATo, and small pocket pairs (22-55) from early positions.

Identify Opponent Tendencies

Against tight 3bettors (less than 6% 3bet frequency), fold most of your opening range unless you hold premiums. Versus aggressive players (10%+ 3bet), defend wider with suited connectors (65s+) and pocket pairs to exploit their bluffs.

Use position to adjust your strategy. From the BTN, call 3bets with suited broadways (KQs, QJs) and pairs 77+. From the blinds, fold all but your strongest hands unless facing a known aggressive opponent.

Adjust Sizing Preflop

Reduce your open-raising size in late position to minimize losses when facing 3bets. A 2.2x open instead of 3x makes folding to a 3bet less costly while maintaining pressure on opponents.

Review hand histories to spot leaks. If you’re frequently calling 3bets with weak aces or offsuit broadways, note those spots and practice folding them in similar situations.

Fix Your Postflop Hand Reading Mistakes

Narrow your opponent’s range before making decisions. Instead of guessing, track their preflop tendencies–do they open wide or tight? Adjust their possible hands based on their actions. For example, a tight player raising from early position likely holds strong pairs or Broadway cards.

Spotting Contradictions in Betting Patterns

Look for inconsistencies in how opponents bet. A player who checks the flop but leads the turn often has a medium-strength hand, not a bluff or a monster. If they bet small on the flop and large on the turn, they’re likely protecting a vulnerable pair or drawing.

Betting Pattern	Likely Hand Strength
Small flop bet, large turn bet	Vulnerable top pair or draw
Check-call flop, lead turn	Moderate pair or weak two-pair
Donk bet into preflop raiser	Weak made hand or blocker bet

Use Board Texture to Eliminate Impossible Hands

Eliminate hands from their range that don’t fit the board. On a flop like J♠ 8♦ 4♣, a tight player rarely has J8o or 44 unless they limp preflop. If they raised preflop, focus on AJ, KJs, or overpairs instead of random two-pair combos.

Ask: “Would this player really have this hand here?” If they never call preflop with suited connectors, don’t put them on a flush draw when three hearts appear.

Practice assigning ranges after each street. Write down their possible hands on the flop, then adjust after the turn and river. Over time, you’ll spot leaks in their strategy–and yours.

Manage Your Bankroll to Avoid Tilt Decisions

Set strict bankroll limits before each session and stick to them. If you lose 20-30% of your buy-in for the day, stop playing. Chasing losses leads to poor decisions.

Bankroll Rules for Different Game Types

• Cash games: Keep at least 30-50 buy-ins for your stake level.
• Tournaments: Maintain 100+ buy-ins for MTTs, 50+ for SnGs.
• High-variance formats: Add 20% extra for PLO, 6+ Hold’em, or fast-fold games.

Track every session in a spreadsheet with these columns: date, game type, stakes, duration, profit/loss, and notes on key hands. Review weekly to spot leaks.

Preventing Tilt Through Bankroll Management

1. Use separate accounts for poker and personal finances
2. Never deposit more than 5% of your total bankroll at once
3. Move down in stakes after losing 25% of your bankroll
4. Set win limits – quit after doubling a buy-in in cash games

When you feel frustrated, check your bankroll status before making another buy-in. If you’re playing outside your comfort zone, take a 15-minute break to reset.

Q&A

How do I stop calling too much with marginal hands?

One of the biggest leaks in poker is overvaluing weak hands. If you find yourself calling too often with hands like low pairs or suited connectors, focus on pot odds and opponent tendencies. Fold more often when the price isn’t right, and avoid chasing draws without proper equity. Tightening up in early positions also helps reduce unnecessary calls.

What’s the best way to handle tilt after a bad beat?

Tilt can ruin a solid strategy. Take short breaks after tough losses to reset mentally. Recognize when emotions affect your decisions—if you’re frustrated, switch to lower stakes or stop playing. Keeping a poker journal to review hands objectively later can also help separate bad luck from mistakes.

Why do I keep losing money in multiway pots?

Multiway pots require stronger hands to win. If you’re frequently entering with weak holdings, you’ll bleed chips. Play tighter from early positions, avoid speculative hands with many players involved, and prioritize high-card strength. Position matters more in these spots—aggression with premium hands works better late.

How can I improve my bluffing success rate?

Good bluffs tell a believable story. Pay attention to board texture and opponent ranges. If the cards favor your perceived range, a well-timed bluff has higher success. Avoid bluffing against calling stations—target players who fold under pressure. Balance your bluffs with strong value bets to stay unpredictable.

Should I adjust my strategy against loose-aggressive players?

Yes. LAG players exploit passive opponents by applying constant pressure. Counter them by tightening your range and letting them bluff into your strong hands. Avoid marginal calls—wait for solid holdings, then trap them with check-raises or big re-raises. Patience is key against overly aggressive opponents.

How do I stop calling too much with marginal hands?

Calling too often with weak hands is a common leak. Focus on folding more preflop, especially from early positions. Hands like suited connectors or low pairs may seem tempting, but they often lose value when facing aggression. Tighten your range and avoid defending blinds with junk. Over time, this discipline saves chips and reduces costly mistakes.

Why do I keep losing with strong starting hands like AK or QQ?

Strong hands don’t always win. AK misses the flop two-thirds of the time, and QQ struggles against overcards. Avoid overcommitting preflop unless you’re confident. Postflop, assess board texture—don’t blindly stack off if the flop brings ace-high or coordinated cards. Adjust bet sizing based on opponents and pot control when needed.

How can I bluff more effectively without getting caught?

Good bluffs tell a believable story. Pick spots where your actions match a strong hand—like betting scare cards that complete draws. Avoid bluffing opponents who rarely fold. Semi-bluffs (e.g., betting a flush draw) work better because you still have outs if called. Bluff less often but make it count.

What’s the biggest mistake in tournament poker?

Ignoring stack sizes is a major error. Short stacks should shove or fold, while deep stacks can pressure others. Don’t play too passively mid-tourney—accumulate chips when blinds increase. Late-game, adjust to payout jumps but avoid overly tight play that lets others steal blinds.

How do I handle tilt after a bad beat?

Tilt happens, but letting it affect decisions costs money. Take a short break—stand up, breathe, or switch tables. Remind yourself bad beats are part of poker. Stick to your strategy; don’t chase losses with reckless plays. Tracking hands helps review mistakes later, not in the heat of the moment.

How do I stop calling too much with weak hands?

Calling too often with marginal hands is a common leak. Focus on tightening your preflop range—fold more hands like weak suited connectors or low pocket pairs from early positions. Postflop, avoid calling bets without a clear plan. Ask yourself: “Can this hand improve, or am I just hoping my opponent bluffs?” If you’re unsure, folding is usually better.

Why do I keep losing money in multiway pots?

Multiway pots require stronger hands to win. If you’re frequently entering with speculative hands, you’ll struggle against multiple opponents. Play tighter in multiway spots, prioritize hands with nut potential, and avoid bluffing too much. Position matters even more here—being last to act gives you better control over the pot.

What’s the biggest mistake in bluffing?

Bluffing without a good reason. Many players bluff just because they think they “should.” Instead, bluff when your story makes sense—like representing a strong draw or an overcard that missed. Also, consider your opponent’s tendencies. Bluffing a calling station is pointless, but bluffing someone who folds too much can work.

How can I improve my bet sizing?

Poor bet sizing leaks money. On the flop, smaller bets (25-50% pot) work well for value and protection. On the turn and river, increase sizing with strong hands to charge draws or get paid. Avoid always betting the same amount—adjust based on board texture and opponent tendencies.

Why do I tilt after bad beats?

Tilt often comes from unrealistic expectations. Poker involves variance—even the best hands lose sometimes. Accepting that bad beats are part of the game helps. Take short breaks after tough losses, and focus on making correct decisions rather than short-term results. Bankroll management also reduces frustration.

How do I stop calling too much on the river with weak hands?

Many players call too often on the river because they hope their opponent is bluffing. To fix this, track how often your marginal calls win. If they lose more than 60-70% of the time, tighten up. Focus on pot odds—if the bet is large and your hand rarely wins, folding is better. Also, consider opponent tendencies—passive players rarely bluff big on the river.

Reviews

Liam Bennett

*”Hey, so if I’m the guy who triple-barrels with 7-high because ‘they can’t always have it,’ but then folds aces pre after one raise because ‘someone’s gotta have kings,’ which of these leaks should I plug first? Or should I just lean into the chaos and start bluffing with the dealer button as a prop? Asking for a friend who definitely doesn’t have a crippling fear of value bets.”* *(P.S. If the answer is ‘all of them,’ maybe just tell me which one hurts the least to fix? I’m emotionally attached to my bad habits.)*

VoidWalker

*Flips hair* OMG, like, why do guys always overthink poker? Bluffing is just like deciding which selfie to post—go with your gut! If your hand’s weaker than my wifi signal, fold, duh. And stop calling every bet like it’s your ex texting at 2 AM—patience, babe! Also, tilt? So not cute. If you’re mad, take a break, sip a mimosa, and come back when you’re less… extra. Pro tip: watch the table like it’s your crush’s IG stories—spot the weak spots and pounce! 💅✨ #PokerButMakeItFashion

Ethan Reynolds

*”Yo, guys! How many of you actually track your fold-to-cbet stats in 3-bet pots? I swear mine was garbage until I forced myself to stop overfolding—anyone else fix this leak and see instant results?”* *(108+ symbols, cocky tone, male POV, avoids restricted words, engages readers directly)*

Harper

“Ah, another take on tightening up one’s poker face—how quaint! While the advice isn’t groundbreaking (honestly, darling, we’ve all heard ‘fold more pre-flop’ before), it’s neatly packaged for those still overplaying suited connectors. Points for readability, though next time, maybe spice it up with some sass? Still, a decent crib sheet for beginners who haven’t yet learned the hard way.” (301)

Emily

*”Do you ever fold a good hand just to avoid the ache of losing it later? Or chase the river, hoping it’ll fix everything—knowing it won’t? How do you quiet that stubborn voice whispering, ‘This time’s different’?”*

StormChaser

“Yo, if folding every hand makes you a ‘nit’, but bluffing all-in turns you ‘wild’, how do you even win? Or are we all just bad?” (130 chars)

BlazeFury

*”Hey, solid points here—especially about adjusting aggression based on position. But I’ve got a question: how do you balance bluffing frequencies when you’re up against opponents who overfold in some spots but call too much in others? I’ve noticed weaker players often have these weird, inconsistent leaks where they’ll snap-fold a wet board but then hero-call with bottom pair on a dry one. Do you tighten up and value-bet more, or exploit their mistakes by widening your bluff range? Also, any tips for spotting when someone’s tilting mid-session and spewing chips? I’ve seen guys go from nitty to maniac after a bad beat, but it’s hard to adjust fast enough before they cool off. Appreciate the breakdown on bet sizing too—most guys at low stakes either min-click or shove with no in-between.”*

James Carter

Man, if you’re still limping weak aces from early position or folding every small blind to a raise, you’re bleeding chips like a busted slot machine! Stop being a calling station with mid-pair on wet boards—that’s how rec players go broke. And for the love of poker, stop overvaluing suited connectors out of position! They’re pretty, but they won’t pay rent when you miss. Three-bet wider against tight players, stop flat-calling 3bets with junk ‘just to see a flop,’ and for once, track your damn leaks instead of blaming bad beats. If you’re not analyzing hands where you lost big, you’re just donating. Fix this garbage, or keep lighting money on fire. Your call.

Evelyn

*”Ah yes, another poker guide—just what my game needed. Because clearly, the 37th explanation of pot odds will finally make me stop calling with 7-2 offsuit ‘for fun.’ I’ve read enough of these to know my leaks: folding too much, bluffing too little, and somehow *still* overestimating my ability to read souls. (Spoiler: They’re just staring at their phones.) My poker face? More like a ‘please don’t bet’ face. And yet, here I am, nodding along like I won’t revert to my old ways by the next hand. Maybe the real leak is my stubborn belief that *this* time, the advice will stick. Joke’s on me—I’ll be back in five minutes, tilting over a bad beat like I didn’t just ignore every tip in existence.”* (310 символов)

ShadowReaper

The cards don’t care about your mood. They don’t remember your last bad beat or your fleeting moments of brilliance. That’s the cruel beauty of poker—it’s a mirror, not a companion. Every leak in your game is a habit you’ve carved into muscle memory, a small betrayal of logic in favor of comfort. You tell yourself you’re unlucky, but the truth is harder: you’re predictable. The tilt, the overvalued hands, the timid folds—they’re all just ways to avoid staring into that mirror. Fixing leaks isn’t about grand revelations. It’s about sitting with the discomfort of your own patterns, the ones you’ve ignored because they’re easier to live with than change. The game won’t love you back. It’ll just quietly expose every hesitation, every unexamined instinct. And maybe that’s why we keep coming back—not to win, but to see ourselves clearly, one hand at a time.