Phil Gordon 2

Front 1

1st series of Questions to answer every time I act

Back 1

How are my opponents playing? Conservatively/ Aggressively/ Tentatively? What are the hands my opponents are likely to hold? What do my opponents think I have? Am I in good or bad position?

Front 2

2nd series of Questions to answer every time I act.

Back 2

Do I have the best hand? Do I think I can force weak opponents out of the pot with this bet or with future bets? Do I have a good draw and I think there is a good chance my opponents will fold? Yes answers almost always mean betting/raising.

Front 3

3rd Set of Questions to answer if Im not going to bet/raise.

Back 3

Do I have the worst hand? Are my opponents strong? Am I on a draw but not getting a good price? Yes answers to these questions usually mean checking or folding. If I don’t think I should raise/bet or check/fold, then I can check/call.

Front 4

Common mistakes opponents make and exploitive counterstrategies

Back 4

1)Doesn’t bluff enough—when they bet/raise, give them credit for a good hand. 2)Overvalues top pair—overbet the pot and put them in a position to make a mistake. Play more small pocket pairs vs them. 3)Underbets the pot.—just call with draws. 4)Calls to much—don’t bluff but value bet a lot.

Front 5

What to look for in opponents

Back 5

1)betting patterns 2)put them on hands 3)Watch the hands they showdown, remember what they did through hand. 4)Figure out what state of mind they are in. 5)Think about what motivates them.

Front 6

When is open-limping preferable to raising pf?

Back 6

1)Im going for a limp-reraise. 2)The blind players are weak-post flop. 3)Limping will help deceive my opponents.

Front 7

Ac-Kd vs Ah-Qs

Back 7

74%

Front 8

Ac-Kd vs 7h-2s

Back 8

67%

Front 9

Ac-Kd vs Qc-Jd

Back 9

65%

Front 10

My opponent raises preflop, I’ve got a very strong hand. Factors that point towards a raise

Back 10

If I am out of position, I am more likely to reraise and try to take the pot away, negating my positional disadvantage. ***If I think he is on A-K, or a big pair (KK, QQ, JJ) and I have AA, I always reraise. People cant wait to reraise allin. If they have a big hand and overcards hit the flop I wont get paid off unless they flop a set.*** Vs a better player, be more apt to raise and try to take the pot away. It is easier to make decisions preflop vs a tricky opponent. ****If I think he will go broke with AQ or AJ I reraise.

Front 11

My opponent raises preflop, I’ve got a very strong hand. Factors that point towards a call.

Back 11

If I am in of position, I am more likely to call. **If my opponent plays predictable poker, be more likely to call. ***Vs LAG who usually bets after the flop, smooth call in position and try to trap him. ***If he overplays top pair, call and hope he catches top pair to my overpair. ***If I have A-K and he is the type to make the third raise with JJ or a worse pair, I often just call preflop.

Front 12

Under what circumstances is it never wrong to move all-in pf?

Back 12

1) I have the best hand and I think my opponent will call. 2)I have the worst hand and I think he will fold and the pot is big enough to steal. 3)I have the worst hand, but even if he calls I will be getting the right odds. 4)I may have the worst hand, but against an all-in bet, my opponent may fold. I have folding equity and equity from the chips in the pot. 5)Im getting the right pot odds no matter what he holds. 6)I have the best hand, and he has the right pot odds to call any bet I make, but an all-in bet might scare him into folding.

Front 13

Pot commited

Back 13

when a player enters a pot before the flop and has more than half of his chips in action.

Front 14

Flop thinking

Back 14

what are my opponents likely to hold? What mistakes can I force them to make?- folding a better hand, calling a big bet with a worse hand, failing to bet/raise when I have the worst hand or draw.

Front 15

Optimum small blind play

Back 15

75% of the time when you choose to play, come in for a raise. 25% of the time complete, but make ¼ of these powerhouse hands. Adjust your completing % according to the frequency the BB raises you when you complete.

Front 16

Paired flops

Back 16

lead out 1/3 to ½ the pot. Especially from the blinds vs limpers

Front 17

Heads up postflop considerations

Back 17

1)What did I do preflop and what is my table image. Unless I have a bad table image, when I raised, they should put me on a good hand

Front 18

Heads up postflop- I raised pf and someone called me with position. Blinds fold

Back 18

continuation bet 65% of the time. 35% of the time I flop a pair or better. 10-15% of the time when I flop some kind of draw. 10-20% of the time when I missed the flop entirely. (1/2 pot bet). They are flopping something 35% of the time. Consider exploitive adjustments.

Front 19

Heads up postflop- I raised pf and I get called by someone with worse position.

Back 19

If he checks to me, I bet 85% of the time. A little less against someone who likes to check-raise maybe 65%.(1/2 pot bet)

Front 20

Heads up postflop-someone else raises pf. I call with position.

Back 20

If he checks to me, he is weak or he is trying to trap me. Bet 50% of the time. Rarely bet an oesd, take a free card, especially vs someone who likes to check-raise. Bet flush draws(hard to get paid off) and gutshots(hard to catch). (1/2 pot bet)

Front 21

Heads up postflop- someone else raises pf. I call in worse position.

Back 21

I am usually playing hands that will hit the flop hard (small to medium pocket pairs, suited connectors.) If I hit the flop hard, I bet out and hope to get raised, this helps balance my play when I donk with nothing. (1/2 pot bet)

Front 22

Heads up postflop-Someone limps pf. Sb folds. I check BB.

Back 22

Bet 65% of the time, hand or not. Check-raise 10-15% of the time. (75% of the time I have a hand.) Be more likely to bet a flop of high or low cards.

Front 23

Guidelines vs multiple opponents

Back 23

1)rarely bluff, if its checked around to me, then check it. 2)almost always bet the best hand. 3)bets should narrow the field If I don’t win it right away.4)If middle-action opponents are short-stacked, be more likely to check-raise. 5)If late position opponents are short-stacked, almost never check-raise or check-call.

Front 24

I have 6-6 in bb and get a free look after two middle opponents limp. Flop comes Kd-Qh-6d. first player after me is short-stacked.

Back 24

If I bet right out and my short-stacked opponent has a good hand, he’ll call. But then the last player will have odds to call as well, I cant put pressure on him. If I check, short stack might bet all-in and it will put the last player in a tough position. If he calls, you can check-raise and get a ton of dead money.

Front 25

I flop a good draw to a straight or flush. I check, opponent make a pot sized bet.

Back 25

I am getting 2-1 on a call but Im 4-1 to make my draw on the turn. I have to fold. I could have made a defensive bet.

Front 26

Defensive bets

Back 26

when you flop a good draw. Best made vs player who are hesitant to raise, prone to slowplay, aggressive players who will bet big if I check. Then if they pick up on it and start raising, I will bet a strong hand in this manner.

Front 27

Hands to go to war on the flop

Back 27

especially against a player you think only has a pair. Straight flush draw, flush draw+overcard, two overcards+straight and flush back doors, flush draw with one pair different from my opponent’s. If I play these draws very aggressively, they will have to call big bets from my made hands.

Front 28

Board texture vs bet size, things to make me bet closer to pot size

Back 28

REMEMBER TO ADJUST TO YOUR OPPONENT. Starting from a minimum of 1/3 pot size bet** The weaker your hand is versus his range, the more you should bet. The weaker your hand is, the more hands he will be making a mistake by folding. **The less likely my hand is to improve, the closer to pot size I want to bet. If I am unlikely to improve, I want to get the money in now, or win the pot now, not later.**If I am likely to be ahead, the stronger their hand is likely to be, the closer to pot size I bet.**If am likely to be ahead, if they have a primary draw, bet closer to pot size.

Front 29

I flop top two pair

Back 29

I want to get my money in, there is only a small chance has bottom set and an even smaller chance they flopped top or middle pair. If they play back at me, almost never throw it away vs a bad player, but be wary and attentive vs a good player. If my two pair are close in rank, there are probably straight draws, so be more aggressive.

Front 30

I flop bottom two pair

Back 30

Play aggressive on the flop. Top pair has only 5 outs. If the turn and river card pair, I get counterfeited by top pair. Play aggro after the turn card and look to take the pot away.

Front 31

I flop top and bottom pair.

Back 31

Top pair or overpair has 6 outs. Most vulnerable here so get it in on the flop.

Front 32

I flop a set-oop

Back 32

look at the board and determine if he is likely to have flopped top pair or an overpair. If yes, almost always bet because you want to be raised. If no, I will check, hoping to induce a bluff or hoping that they’ll check and improve a little on the turn.

Front 33

I flop a set in position-

Back 33

If they check to me, I have to decide if they really are weak or going for a check-raise. If I think they are weak, ill almost always check and hope they catch up a little on the turn card. If I think they have a good hand and are going to check-raise, I make a pot sized bet. If the flop has straight or flush possibilities I usually make a bet of ¾ pot size. If my opponent bets into me, I can call and trap on the turn or simply raise now. If he overplays top pair, I raise. If the board is Q high or lower, I always raise, since an A or K will kill my action. Also if board is coordinated I bet, or an ace is there and he bets.

Front 34

I flopped high trips

Back 34

If I’ve flopped high trips and I put my opponent on an overpair to the board, I will nearly always bet or raise. I want him to reraise. If I put him on a middle pair, I’ll often slowplay or go for a check-raise.

Front 35

I flopped low trips

Back 35

If I put him on an overpair to the board or paired with the high card on the board, I nearly always bet or raise. I want him to reraise.

Front 36

Me- K-5 Board- A-5-5 Him- 88,99,or 1010

Back 36

If I think he flopped middle pair, I’ll slowplay or go for a check-raise versus a good player. Vs a loose passive, still bet out, only not too big.

Front 37

Me-A-2 Him- ??? Board- A-A-3

Back 37

If I have an ace with a low kicker and flop high trips, I always bet if checked to. I want to get raised if they have me beat so I can see where I am. I will go for a check-raise if oop. If they quickly reraise, I want to find out quick if im behind.

Front 38

In general, if I flop trips

Back 38

HOW DOES HE EXPECT ME TO PLAY MY TRIPS? If he expects me to slowplay them, bet or raise. If he expects me to bet or raise them, I will slowplay.

Front 39

Me- KQ Flop J-T-9.

Back 39

Flopped straight, smart end, zero or one gap** bet the flop, ½ if unsuited, 2/3 if two suited, pot if 3 suited. I want action, and the turn can only scare my opponent. If I don’t bet the flop any K,Q,8, or 7 can make an opponent with top pair or a set think twice before making a big call. Consider opponent tendencies.

Front 40

Me- 8-7 Flop J-T-9.

Back 40

Flopped straight, dumb end, zero or one gap.** Play hyperaggressive to protect my hand. Bet at least the pot. There aren’t many cards that can come on the turn that will make me happy. I will be scared if a K,Q, or 8 shows. And a 7 will scare him.

Front 41

Me- 98 Flop-Q-J-T.

Back 41

Be careful, vs all the hands an opponent would risk a lot of chips you are only 48.5% after the flop (AK, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, KQ, KJ, QJ, KT, K9)

Front 42

Me- J9 Flop Q-T-8

Back 42

Flopped straight, two gaps.** If the board is suited, bet 2/3 of pot, otherwise bet half. There are only six cards that can come on the turn which will slow my opponent down. Any three of my highest card and three of my lowest card. 13% chance. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A STRAIGHT WITHOUT A TEN OR 5.

Front 43

Me-As-10s Flop Js-4s-9s.

Back 43

Often slowplay the nut flush, maybe to the turn or river.

Front 44

Me-Ks-Js Flop-Qs-4s-9s Him-AQ

Back 44

If you flop a flush and you think he has top pair or overpair, bet the pot.

Front 45

Me-Ks-Js Flop-Qs-4s-9s Him-10-10

Back 45

Often either check or make a weak looking bet maybe 1/3 pot. I hope he catches a piece or decides to bluff on the turn.

Front 46

Me-9s-Js Flop-Qs-4s-9s Him As-Kc

Back 46

If I don’t have the nut flush, im going to bet about ½ the pot and hope he calls with the nut draw. He will be making a big mistake, as he has a 14% of improving on the turn. He is getting 25% if he calls half the pot. If he gets cute and reraises with the nut draw, I will almost always reraise. If he already flopped a higher flush, I go broke.

Front 47

Me-A-5 Flop A-A-5

Back 47

I usually bet out or raise if he bets into me. If really want him to have the ace here and get frisky. Its possible all the money will go in on the flop if he has an ace. Bet about ½ pot usually. At best he will have 3 outs. I will usually bet this flop vs good players even if I don’t have an ace.

Front 48

Me-A-5 Flop A-5-5

Back 48

Go ahead and bet. If he has an ace you will get action. If not, slowplaying will be ineffective. The big danger in slowplaying is if I am against a pocket pair. Then he has a 4% chance of breaking me on the turn if he hits his two outer.

Front 49

Me-AA Board-A-5-5 Him-KK

Back 49

This is the only time to slowplay a full house. It is unlikely he catches up, but if he does he is toast.

Front 50

Me-TT Board- T-8-8 Him QQ or KK

Back 50

Here, usually bet out, since an ace on the turn will hurt your action.

Front 51

Me-55 Board A-A-5 Him A-x

Back 51

Here I am very vulnerable so play aggressively. I am only a 77% favorite.

Front 52

Flopping a full house, considerations

Back 52

1)If the board is flushing or straightening, be more likely to bet and hope they have the draw. They will probably call the bet, drawing dead. If the draw comes in, bet out and hope to get raised. 2)Betting out>slowplaying vs most players, since they expect your to slowplay good hands. You might get more action. 3)Vs players prone to overbetting the pot on bluffs, be more apt to slowplay.

Front 53

Considerations that make you more likely to bet a strong draw.

Back 53

1)I raised preflop. Keep the lead to keep him guessing. 2)The more outs, the more aggressively you can play. 3)I sense weakness or uncertainty 3)If I am pot committed, I want to be making the last move, to gain folding equity 4)I have a straight draw and there is a two-flush on the board. 5)He is short-stacked 6)The board is paired, this means it is more difficult for him to have a hand worthy of continuing, and they will fear trips, so will be less likely to raise me. A 1/3 bet here is good since it matches your probe bets. 7)Flush draws have lower implied odds, so play them more aggressively. 8)I have the non-nut flush draw since If I hit on the turn, he will have outs

Front 54

Considerations that make you more likely to play a strong draw passively.

Back 54

1)If I am out of position and he underbets a lot. 2) If I have the nut flush draw 3)The board is three-suited and I have a straight draw. 4)I am in position and he is a check-raiser

Front 55

I have a good hand, raise pf. A good player calls me, and I’m OOP. I bet the pot after the flop, not giving draws sufficient odds to call. A good player calls anyway.

Back 55

One of the scariest spots. Very often slowplaying a monster.

Front 56

Turn general

Back 56

Almost never give a free card if your ahead. Bet a reasonable amount relative to the pot. Don’t check-raise. Bet if checked to and you think your ahead.

Front 57

Me-KcKs Board-Jh-4c-8h-3c-4h. I bet preflop and on the flop, where he called quickly. and turn, where he hesitated before calling. He donks all-in on the river

Back 57

This timing is consistent with him having a flush draw that hit.

Front 58

I improved on the turn. Factors to make me play aggro

Back 58

I played passively on the flop. **He bets into me and I improved. ** I think a bet will convince him to fold a better hand. **I have the nuts. **I improved to two pair and I think I am ahead. Play very agro since im unlikely to improve and he might be live. Try to win immediately especially vs two opponents. **I have a straight and there is a flush draw. **I made a flush and the board is unpaired. He can have at best 10 outs (20%). A ½ pot bet gives him 25%.**I made a flush and he has a higher flush draw. He will win 14% of the time so make a moderate sized bet. They will usually call with the worst of it.**I made a full house and

Front 59

When a scare card hits, general considerations.

Back 59

If I was in the lead, I usually check behind or check/call. If he was in the lead, or displays any weakness on the flop, go after the pot and make a bet. If they might think the card helped me, I will confirm their suspicions.

Front 60

Calling with a draw on the turn-things to give me more implied odds

Back 60

he is in the habit of calling big river bets, he is strong but my draw is stronger, our stacks are deep, my hand is deceptive

Front 61

Calling with a draw on the turn-things to give me fewer implied odds.

Back 61

my draw has been telegraphed, he is an expert.

Front 62

Semibluffing the turn-general

Back 62

it works best if the showed weakness on the flop or turn.

Front 63

Semibluffing the turn-factors that lead me to make one

Back 63

turn gave me more outs, he showed weakness, it could have given me a better hand than his, he isn’t pot commited, I can put him to a critical decision, I have been showing down good hands, he isn’t in the habit of calling without pot odds.

Front 64

River-When someone who has been playing a hand very weak suddenly comes to life on the river and makes a big bet

Back 64

smell a bluff

Front 65

River-When someone who has been playing a hand very aggro, suddenly gets timid after the river

Back 65

sense a trap

Front 66

River-When someone has played both aggro and tentatively

Back 66

sense insecurity, maybe a medium strength hand.

Front 67

River-If a good player bets after a river card that couldn’t have helped his hand

Back 67

put him on a bluff, good players don’t bet medium hands on the river.

Front 68

River-medium strength hands oop

Back 68

DON’T BET THEM

Front 69

In position on the river

Back 69

if he checks to me and I am medium strength, dig deep. If he has shown weakness during the hand, often bluff on the river with a hand that cannot win without a bet. If I am medium strength and don’t have a good read, check behind. Be more likely to bet if the river card helped my hand or is a scare card for my opponent.

Front 70

Factors to make me check-raise the river

Back 70

Do this rarely, like 1/10.**He was on a draw that missed** He has a lot of chips and might want a better pot**He will call a check-raise**He is aggro

Front 71

Factors to make me bet out on the river instead of check-raising

Back 71

Scary river card for him**I have already check-raised this hand.**He can’t afford to make a river bet.**He is passive

Front 72

If he has JJ,QQ,KK,AA, or AK or AQ

Back 72

it is 32-24 that doesn’t have a pair. 57% to 43%

Front 73

If he has JJ,QQ,KK,AA or AK

Back 73

it is 16-24 that he has AK. 40% to 60%

Front 74

If he has QQ,KK,AA or AK

Back 74

it is 16-18 that he has AK. 47% to 53%

Front 75

If he has either AA, AK, or KK

Back 75

it is 16-12 that he has AK. 57% to 43%

Front 76

Combos of AK

Back 76

-sixteen (4x4)

Front 77

Combos of AA

Back 77

-six (6)

Front 78

Break even percentage. 7.5 to 1 pot odds

Back 78

1/ (7.5+1)= 11.8

Front 79

Big laydown checklist

Back 79

His play is consistent with how he would play the big hand he is representing** Im not getting the right odds **He doesn’t respect my play **I haven’t been forced off any good hands recently. **He cant afford to be making a mistake in this situation.

Front 80

Betting patterns to look for

Back 80

1)Do they bet a good hand and check when they don’t?- Bet when they check. 2)Do they always bet flush and straight draws- Make a big raise when the board is flushing or straightening. 3)Do they ALWAYS make a continuation bet.—Smooth call in position with good hands and trap them on the flop. 4)Do they only fire one barrel? Call in position on the flop and bet if they check the turn. 5)Do they overbet when they are bluffing? Be more likely to call an overbet on the river. 6)Do they underbet the pot with weak hands?

Front 81

Checklist for making a big bluff

Back 81

a) HE IS TIGHT!!! 1)He believes I am playing tight 2)He hasn’t witnessed a bluff from me recently 3)He hasn’t been bluffed recently by another player 4)He is likely on a draw or medium strength hand 5)The pot is very large 6)I am sure I cannot win without a bet 7)HE ISNT ANYWHERE NEAR POT COMMITTED 8)The bet will cripple his stack if he calls and loses. 9)I have represented strength throughout the hand or it is plausible the last card dealt helped me a lot.