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Live poker feels different the very second you pull up a chair. The sound of chips clicking, the hum of hushed conversations, that electric tension in the air; it all demands a unique approach.

Before stepping into a real-money game in a land-based poker room or casino, it’s worth reviewing a comprehensive live poker strategy guide that explains table dynamics, body language, and pacing. With the fundamentals locked in, you’re ready to dive into some proven tactics that separate the timid from the triumphant.

Reading the Table’s Rhythm

What’s happening around you? That’s the first question you need to ask. Are players talking incessantly, trying to tilt the table with chatter? Or is it grim and quiet, everyone hunched over their cards? By observing opening bets, frequency of raises, even how people stack their chips, you can map out the table’s personality.

For instance, depending on the type of game you’re sitting in, you’ll know what maneuvers to make:

Notice how certain players react to pressure. Some fold faster than you can blink; others double-barrel with air. Recognizing these patterns, even subconsciously, gives you an edge that you simply can’t replicate online when you can’t actually see your opponents.

Decoding Non-Verbal Signals

If you’ve ever watched high-stakes poker on television or a live stream, you’ve surely seen the pros raise an eyebrow or shift forward just before a big hand. It’s no accident. Body language in live poker is a treasure trove of information. A trembling hand might reveal a huge under-pair or a monster draw. Eyes that dart away quickly after the flop? Chances are there’s strength there — and the player wants you to think otherwise. While experienced pros might have these mannerisms under control, the weaker and less experienced players are, the more likely they are to exhibit non-verbal signals (tells).

Don’t get obsessed, though. It’s easy to see tells everywhere and end up second-guessing every move. Instead, pick one or two opponents who stand out. Build a “baseline” for their behavior — how they act when folding, calling, or raising — and then note the deviations. It’s a subtle dance of psychology, and half the fun comes from trusting your gut when the math feels too close to call. A classic tell to focus on is an opponent’s comfort level — often, players who are noticeably relaxed or composed are revealing strength, while signs of physical tension, such as a hunched posture or overly dramatic movements, can signal a bluff.

Timing and Tempo

Speed tends to speak volumes. A snap decision on a river bet often signals certainty. Conversely, if someone suddenly slows down, they might be wrestling with a tough call.

Match your own pace to the table. If everyone’s in a hurry, don’t slow the game; you’ll draw unwanted attention. If the crowd loves to linger over decisions, take your time — scrutinize every angle before you commit chips.

Mixing Aggression with Patience

Typically, many newcomers are likely to swing between passivity and over-bluffing. The key lies in balance. Calculated aggression forces mistakes. A well-timed 3-bet can steal blinds and antes without seeing a flop. Yet, patience reminds you that not every hand is worth the fight.

Have you ever chased a gutshot straight so far it hurt? That kind of regret teaches patience quicker than any strategy article. Embrace waiting for the right spots: position, stack size, player type — all of these elements come together like puzzle pieces during a poker session. Just remember to keep the following in mind at the felt:

Final Thoughts

Live poker isn’t a rigid formula; it’s a living, breathing contest of wits. Embrace uncertainty, stay observant, and always be ready to adjust. The rush of reading an opponent correctly — or folding out of pure discipline — is why we love the game (and how to preserve and grow your chips stack!

A Promising Debut for the SiGMA Poker Tour

The SiGMA Poker Tour made its live debut in 2025, and right from the outset it was clear that this wasn’t just another poker series. Born out of the global SiGMA Group’s reputation for combining gaming, networking, and entertainment, the new circuit set out to blend poker excellence with the lifestyle and business synergy that the brand has cultivated over the years.

In its inaugural season, the SiGMA Poker Tour featured two highly successful stops — first in Brazil, then in Malta. Across both events, the tour demonstrated its ability to deliver professionally run tournaments, strong attendance, and an atmosphere that was as much about connection and celebration as it was about competition. For a first-year operation, the results were impressive, and the SiGMA team made it clear they’re here to stay.

The Brazil Kickoff

The curtain rose in São Paulo, Brazil, with a vibrant and ambitious opening festival in April at the Monte Carlo Poker Club. The energy on the tournament floor matched the excitement that had been building since the tour’s announcement earlier in the year. With multiple events on the schedule, open bars, off-felt entertainment, and SiGMA’s trademark hospitality, the debut event felt like a celebration of poker’s social side as much as a serious competition.

The Main Event, which featured a buy-in of $770, drew 293 entries and a prize pool of $222,163. Israel’s Deddi Orpaz captured the inaugural title and nearly $59,000 for his victory, cementing his place in SiGMA Poker Tour history as the circuit’s first-ever champion. Beyond the numbers, however, it was the festival atmosphere that resonated most. The event also hosted the live edition of The Hendon Mob LatAm Championship, providing a clear signal that SiGMA aimed to integrate established poker brands and community initiatives into its growing ecosystem.

Malta Builds on Momentum

Following the success in Brazil, the SiGMA Poker Tour shifted its focus to Europe, landing at the Portomaso Casino in St. Julian’s, Malta, for its second stop. The choice of venue felt natural given Malta’s reputation as a global gaming hub — and, of course, SiGMA’s own roots there. From September 3–7, the event brought together players from across Europe and beyond, many of whom had secured their seats through a network of online satellites designed to make participation accessible to recreational and aspiring players alike.

True to SiGMA’s DNA, the Malta stop emphasized more than just cards and chips. Attendees enjoyed a full slate of activities and hospitality, including networking opportunities, entertainment options, and side events designed to encourage interaction between poker players, industry professionals, and SiGMA’s larger community. If the Brazil stop proved that the tour could deliver a strong poker product, Malta proved it could replicate and refine that success on a global stage.

The €400 buy-in Main Event attracted 411 entries for a total prize pool of €129,300 and was won by Italy’s Davide Iannaco, who took home €28,500.

A Tour with a Distinct Identity

What sets the SiGMA Poker Tour apart is its clear vision and personality. Each stop blends the competitive spirit of live poker with the atmosphere of a lifestyle festival. Players don’t just show up to grind; they come to enjoy an immersive experience — one that includes entertainment, culture, and the social connections that make poker such a unique game.

From the very start, the SiGMA Poker Tour aimed to emphasize player experience, accessibility, and giving back. Through the SiGMA Foundation, a portion of side-event proceeds were directed toward charitable initiatives in the host communities, ensuring that each festival leaves behind a positive local footprint. This combination of professionalism, global ambition, and community engagement has helped the SiGMA Poker Tour carve out a distinctive niche in an increasingly crowded live poker landscape.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With a strong debut year behind it, the SiGMA Poker Tour is preparing for a major leap forward in 2026. The circuit will expand from two stops to five, bringing its signature blend of poker and lifestyle experiences to every corner of the globe. In particular, the SPT will remain part of planned SiGMA World iGaming events, with the newly announced destinations being:

This expansion plan signals that the SiGMA Poker Tour is serious about becoming a truly global player in the live poker scene. By targeting key markets across Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and North America, the tour is creating opportunities for players worldwide to take part in a uniquely international poker circuit. If 2025 was about proving the concept, 2026 will be about scaling it — and early indications suggest that the success is set to continue.

Conclusion

The SiGMA Poker Tour’s first year succeeded in delivering on its promise: world-class poker, professional organization, and an atmosphere that reflects the fun, excitement, and camaraderie that define the game. Both Brazil and Malta showcased the tour’s potential to create memorable experiences that appeal to both recreational and serious players alike.

As the SiGMA Poker Tour expands in 2026, it carries with it the energy, enthusiasm, and lessons learned from its inaugural season. With five global stops now on the horizon, the stage is set for an even bigger and more ambitious year — and for poker fans worldwide, that’s something worth looking forward to.

When you sit at a poker table, the idea of “random luck” might dominate casual conversation; yet, modern professionals increasingly treat the game as a test of cognitive skill. Research demonstrates that long-term outcomes in online poker are far more influenced by skill than chance. Experienced players tend to remain ahead over time, showing that poker is a game of learned patterns, anticipation and mental control. For instance, a 2024 study by UCLA found that skill accounts for 56.2% of the expected profit in Texas Hold’em, compared to 43.8% for luck.

What emerges is a complex interplay of working memory, probabilistic reasoning, attention and emotional regulation, all of which must operate seamlessly under pressure. One of the foundational cognitive elements is working memory: the ability to hold and manipulate information while suppressing distractions. Commonly, players who excel tend to display superior working memory and cognitive flexibility, enabling them to track multiple threads of information simultaneously, from pot size to stack dynamics and player tendencies.

Probabilistic thinking forms another core component of strategic choice, where deviations in how players perceive and act on probabilities significantly affect decision-making, particularly in high-stakes settings. Here, your brain is constantly weighing risk, anticipating opponents and balancing fast intuition with careful deliberation, making each session a mental workout of remarkable complexity.

Learning the language of reads, patterns and strategy

Mastery at poker requires a deep understanding of patterns, equally in betting behavior and in opponent tendencies. Here, observing timing cues, noting how different players react to specific situations and recognizing repeated sequences forms the basis of a winning strategy. Thus, practising playing poker becomes about consciously building cognitive templates that allow you to interpret opponent behavior quickly and accurately.

Intentional practice strengthens attention, memory and problem-solving skills, allowing you to automate certain mental processes during the heat of competition. What you are doing in these moments is creating a mental library of scenarios, enabling you to recognize similar patterns in real time. Over time, you become adept at spotting the subtle signs that distinguish cautious players from aggressive ones or understanding when a bluff has a high probability of success. The mental work here is often invisible but essential, transforming hours of practice into instinctive judgment that feels almost second nature at the table.

Emotional regulation and decision-making under pressure

Even the most refined strategic framework will falter if emotional regulation breaks down. In poker, tilt (the state in which frustration or prior losses hijack rational judgment) is a familiar challenge, where players who lose control of their emotions tend to make poor decisions and take unnecessary risks. Elite players, therefore, develop routines to maintain focus and calm; pre-session rituals, goal setting for attention and discipline and micro-resets after each hand help maintain a steady mental state.

Overarchingly, emotional awareness becomes as critical as calculating odds: when mental bandwidth is taxed by stress or fatigue, instinctive reactions can override careful analysis, often leading to costly mistakes. Learning to recognize these internal signals and taking corrective action (pausing, shifting focus or adjusting your play style) creates a mental buffer against impulsive decisions. Ergo, the ability to manage cognitive load while maintaining strategic clarity separates average players from professionals, allowing you to navigate high-pressure moments without losing your composure or judgment.

Strategic flexibility and the imperfect-information terrain

Poker differs from games like chess because of its imperfect-information nature; you cannot see your opponents’ cards, only your own and the shared community cards. Success depends on adaptive thinking: your ability to adjust strategy as information unfolds. Even small changes in table dynamics or player behavior require immediate recalibration. Artificial intelligence experiments, such as the Pluribus system, have highlighted the importance of exploiting imbalances and adapting to opponents’ tendencies, reinforcing that flexibility is as vital as technical skill.

For you, this means developing mental agility to shift styles, alter bet sizes and adjust bluffing frequency based on evolving information. Cognitive modeling becomes essential; you continuously update your understanding of the table, tracking which players are active, how stack sizes change and which behaviors indicate potential strength or weakness. Ultimately, strategic flexibility allows you to seize opportunities while minimizing risk, keeping your approach unpredictable and highly effective.

Long-term growth: discipline, reflection and the tilt-proof mind

Sustained success in modern poker rarely comes from luck alone, and improvement relies on deliberate practice, structured reflection and disciplined study. Here, matching study sessions with play allows you to analyze key hands, identify errors and reinforce winning strategies. Reflection strengthens growth: reviewing hands you lost, evaluating hands you won but could have played differently and observing hands you folded that would have succeeded builds a robust mental database.

This iterative process refines heuristics and removes recurring mistakes. Over time, you develop a tilt-proof mind, and one that recognizes fatigue, emotional drift or diminished focus and adapts by taking a break, switching tables or recalibrating your mindset. Neuroscience shows that when cognitive resources are taxed, biased or default behaviors take over; structured reflection and conscious adjustment protect against this.

Ultimately, reading between the cards extends beyond recognizing tells or calculating pot odds; it involves creating a cognitive ecosystem where memory, attention, emotional regulation, pattern recognition and strategic adaptation work together. Every decision reflects accumulated knowledge, mental discipline and adaptive thinking, transforming poker from a game of chance into a contest of the mind. For aficionados, embracing this complexity reveals that modern poker success stems from mastering the machinery of your own cognition.

If you have spent countless hours at a brick-and-mortar cardroom, the idea of playing poker online can be both exciting and intimidating. The fundamental rules of online poker are the same, but the experience is entirely different. Moving from the physical felt to a digital table requires adjusting your expectations and your strategy.

Online platforms often provide a different initial experience, especially with promotions. You will encounter incentives like no deposit bonuses, which give new players a way to try a site’s software without an immediate financial commitment. Rather than focusing only on these offers, it is important for a live player to understand the core gameplay differences you will encounter when playing poker online.

Adjusting to the Digital Speed and Anonymity

The first thing you will notice is the speed. Online, you might see two or three times as many hands per hour as you would in a live game. The dealing is instant, and players have a set time to act. This rapid pace requires much quicker decision-making.

Moreover, you lose the ability to see your opponents. The physical tells, table talk, and personal dynamics of a live game are gone. In their place, you must learn to read betting patterns, timing tells, and statistical data. It seems that online poker is a purer, more mathematical version of the game.

Finding the Social Element Online

A major part of the live poker appeal is the social atmosphere. Sharing stories and laughing with the players at your table is a key part of the fun. This camaraderie is one of the hardest things to replicate in the online environment.

While online sites offer chat boxes, they rarely capture the feeling of a live table. To find that sense of community, you may need to look outside the game client itself. Many players connect through dedicated online forums or social media groups to discuss strategy and share their experiences, building connections away from the virtual felt.

Trusting the Digital Deal

In a live casino, you can see the dealer shuffle the deck. This physical action provides a clear sense of fairness. Online, you must place your trust in technology, which can be a difficult leap for some players. Therefore, it is critical to play only on reputable and trustworthy sites.

Before you deposit any money, you should verify a few key things about the platform. A safe and legitimate online poker site will always have:

Navigating New Tools and Rules

The online world has its own unique tools and etiquette. Some players use third-party poker software to track statistics on their opponents. While you do not need these tools to play, especially at lower stakes, it is good to be aware that they exist.

Also, be mindful of bonuses. Promotions come with specific terms and conditions, such as playthrough requirements, that dictate when you can withdraw the funds. To be sure, always read the fine print before accepting any bonus offer. Understanding the rules will prevent any future confusion. In fact, knowing this information is just as important as knowing the rules of the game itself.

The exciting, communal atmosphere of craps depends on players following a mix of official rules and unwritten customs. Learning this etiquette is your ticket to a good time, ensuring the game flows well and stays fun for everyone involved.

A solid grasp of the game’s basics also helps you act correctly at the table. For example, understanding the fundamentals of Craps Odds provides insight into the game’s statistical nature without requiring you to memorize complicated charts. It is about respecting the game’s structure, which naturally leads to better table manners. This knowledge helps you make decisions with confidence and join the action without causing delays.

Joining a Live Game

When you walk up to a live craps table, timing is everything. It is best to wait for the shooter to finish their roll before you try to buy in. You should never toss your money onto the table while the dice are flying. Rather, wait for a calm moment, place your cash on the layout, and tell the dealer, “Change only.”

The dealer will slide your cash to the boxperson, who supervises the game, before sending a stack of chips your way. A critical point to remember is to never put money directly into a dealer’s hands; the table is where the transaction happens. When you are ready to bet, call out your wager clearly. The crew is managing a lot of action, so your clear communication helps them do their job. For more complex wagers, let the dealers place them for you to prevent any mistakes.

Rolling the Dice Correctly

Sooner or later, it will be your turn to be the “shooter.” When the dice come to you, there are a few important rules to follow. First, you must handle the dice using only one hand. This is a key security protocol to stop any form of cheating. Using two hands to pick up the dice is a major mistake.

Furthermore, your throw needs enough power for the dice to travel to the far end of the table and bounce off the back wall. This ensures the roll is completely random. If your toss is too weak or falls short, the boxperson will give you a warning. If it happens repeatedly, you might lose your turn with the dice.

Your Conduct at the Table

Good manners are essential for keeping the game enjoyable. Just like in Texas Hold’em poker, certain behaviors at the craps table can break the rhythm of the game and annoy your fellow players. It seems that many newcomers are simply unaware of these customs, which can lead to some awkward moments.

Etiquette for Online Craps

The core ideas of good conduct extend to online craps, especially when you are playing in live dealer games. While the software handles the mechanics of the game, how you act still matters. In standard digital games where you play against a computer, etiquette is not really a factor.

In a live dealer game, however, you are interacting with a real person and other players through a chat feature. Therefore, it is important to be polite and respectful in the chat box. Avoid typing in all caps, complaining about bad luck, or being rude to the dealer or others. The goal of these games is to replicate the casino experience, and that includes being courteous.

Final Thoughts

In the end, whether you are playing in a packed Las Vegas casino or from your own home, knowing the etiquette of craps improves the experience for you and everyone else. It is a sign of respect for the dealers, the other players, and the game itself. By keeping these simple guidelines in mind, you can step up to any craps table, feel like you belong, and add to the fun.

Poker fans who’ve ever dreamed of playing under the bright lights of the PokerGO Studio have less than two weeks left to make that dream a reality. The submission window for the True Classic “Tell Us Your Story” giveaway closes on October 27, and this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss.

True Classic — the popular apparel brand co-founded by Ryan Bartlett, a passionate poker player himself — has partnered with the PokerGO Tour (PGT) to create a one-of-a-kind experience: the PGT True Classic Rags To Riches tournament, taking place December 2-5, 2025, at the iconic PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.

$5,000 Packages Up for Grabs

Fifteen lucky winners will each receive a $5,000 prize package, granting them entry into this exclusive True Classic-branded PGT event. The multi-flight tournament marks the first time a $5,000 buy-in event of its kind will be held at the PokerGO Studio — giving amateur players the rare chance to compete on poker’s most prestigious stage.

But this isn’t just another giveaway. It’s a celebration of heart, hustle, and the stories that define poker players everywhere. The contest is completely free to enter and open to legal U.S. residents aged 21 and older.

Entrants simply need to share their personal poker journey: what the game means to you, how it’s shaped your life, or how you’ve chased your dream against the odds. A judging panel will select 15 winners based on originality, passion, and emotional impact.

A Poker Dream, Powered by Community

Ryan Bartlett’s vision for True Classic has always been rooted in authenticity and giving back. Known for turning a small T-shirt brand into a global success story, Bartlett’s connection to poker runs deep — and with this giveaway, he’s channeling that passion into something meaningful for the community.

The True Classic ethos fits perfectly with poker’s underdog spirit: that with enough heart and determination, anyone can rise to greatness. Indeed, via this special contest, players who love the game and live the grind have a legitimate shot to feel what it’s like to sit down at the PokerGO Studio and play for something bigger than themselves.

PokerGO’s Endorsement

PokerGO President Mori Eskandani sees this collaboration as a natural extension of the game’s enduring magic.

“Every poker player dreams of that one big break – the shot that changes everything,” said Eskandani. “True Classic shares the same belief in possibility, and together we’re giving 15 aspiring players the chance to live their poker story in front of the world. That’s what the game is all about.”

The Poker Hall of Famer added that the spirit behind this event mirrors what makes poker timeless:

“The PGT True Classic Rags To Riches event perfectly captures what makes poker special – the idea that anyone can rise from a home game to the big stage. True Classic understood that from the start, and their support has made it possible to turn poker dreams into reality through this event and promotion.”

Don’t Miss Your Shot

With the October 27 deadline fast approaching, now’s the time to act. Submitting your story takes just a few minutes — but it could change your poker life forever.

The PGT True Classic Rags To Riches event promises to be more than just a tournament. It’s a showcase of perseverance, storytelling, and the shared dream that connects everyone who’s ever shuffled up and dealt.

If you’ve ever imagined yourself in the spotlight, telling your story and playing your heart out under the cameras at PokerGO Studio, this is your chance.

Submit your story before October 27 for your shot at one of 15 $5,000 packages to the PGT True Classic Rags To Riches tournament in Las Vegas.

Strategic thinking is a key component of successful poker play, attracting those who enjoy analytical challenges. These skills can be applied beyond poker to improve performance in other casino games, offering a richer gaming experience.

Strategy in gaming is a fascinating subject, particularly in poker. This card game is renowned for its strategic depth, appealing to players who enjoy complex decision-making. Although poker is unique, the skills developed at its tables can significantly enhance your approach to other casino games. Practicing on various online platforms can help you refine these strategies and see how they translate across different games. Exploring Boyle Casino online is one way to engage with diverse gaming options and apply your poker skills in new contexts.

Understanding Effective Poker Strategies

Effective poker strategy involves mastering bluffing, reading opponents, and calculating odds. Bluffing requires convincing others of the strength or weakness of your hand, demanding psychological insight and timing. Reading opponents involves observing and interpreting behavioral cues, which is crucial for making informed decisions. Together, these skills form a substantial part of poker’s strategic framework.

Developing these abilities takes time and dedication. Regular practice and exposure to different playing styles enhance your ability to assess situations accurately. The more you play, the better you become at predicting outcomes based on probability and psychological factors. Each poker hand offers an opportunity to sharpen these skills further.

Calculating odds is another fundamental aspect of poker strategy. It requires players to quickly assess the likelihood of specific outcomes based on known variables. Mastery in this area not only improves decision-making but also helps minimize risks while maximizing potential gains.

Applying Poker Techniques to other Casino Games

The strategic skills acquired through poker are not limited to card tables; they can be applied to other popular casino games like blackjack and roulette. In blackjack, understanding odds and making informed decisions are crucial for success. Players skilled in poker often find themselves naturally adept at employing similar strategies in blackjack.

In roulette, although primarily a game of chance, knowing when to place bets and how to spread them effectively can be influenced by strategic thinking developed through poker. Recognizing patterns and predicting potential outcomes can give you an edge over less strategically minded players.

Both blackjack and roulette benefit from a player’s ability to quickly read situations and adapt strategies accordingly. The mental agility developed through poker equips players with the tools needed to navigate these games with confidence.

Enhancing Decision-making Skills through Practice

Improving your decision-making abilities requires continuous practice and study. By regularly engaging with various games, you develop a more nuanced understanding of when to take calculated risks. Reviewing past plays and learning from mistakes is crucial in refining your approach.

Online platforms offer an excellent environment for practicing these skills without the pressure of losing real money. They provide opportunities to engage with diverse games, allowing players to test strategies in different scenarios. This risk-free practice environment helps solidify theoretical knowledge into practical expertise.

Additionally, studying game theory and probability can further bolster your decision-making framework. Applying these principles across different gaming contexts will enable more informed choices, ultimately enhancing your overall performance in casino settings.

Exploring Online Platforms for Skill Development

Online casino platforms serve as valuable resources for developing strategic skills across various games. They offer a range of options where players can experiment with different approaches and learn new techniques without financial pressure.

The diversity of games available online allows you to apply what you’ve learned from poker in multiple contexts, helping build versatility in your gaming repertoire. Whether you’re honing your blackjack strategy or testing new betting systems on roulette wheels, these platforms provide ample opportunities for growth.

Many sites also offer tutorials and community forums where experienced players share insights and tips, further enriching your learning experience. Engaging with such resources ensures that you remain informed about evolving strategies and industry trends.

Male voices have long dominated poker literature. The strategies are sound, the math is solid, yet women often find themselves reading between the lines, translating lessons through an unspoken filter.

Be Your Own Poker GODDESS by Julie R. Dargis changes that. It’s a clear, grounded resource that merges strategy with presence, and it belongs in the hands of every woman who plays this game.

When I opened the review copy and spotted my name, I was honored. The book is a tribute to the quiet network of women who are transforming the poker landscape from within.

Why This Poker Book Matters

Julie doesn’t offer pink-washed poker. She provides the real thing, clearly laid out with depth and detail. The opening chapters cover foundational strategies that beginners need and seasoned players often overlook.

Blinds, position, preflop ranges, pot odds, and the stack-to-pot ratio are explained with precision, without drowning the reader in solver speak.

For me, the stack-to-pot ratio is a deeper look at implied odds. It helps you plan the hand from the very start rather than waking up on the river wondering how you ended up in a bloated pot with a weak pair.

If you’re just starting out, this is a road map. If you’ve been grinding for years, it’s a refresher that sharpens your edge.

The Web of Women at the Poker Table

My connection to this book began when Julie reached out through Ashira Lavine, one of my clients. Ashira cashed in this year’s WSOP event with the largest number of entrants and recommended me as a resource.

When Julie asked if I had a suggestion for a recreational player to feature, I immediately thought of Katlyn Slone. Katlyn started with a $27 satellite and went on to cash in the WSOP Main Event. Her story is featured in the book, and it represents exactly what makes poker powerful for women — accessible pathways, community, and grit.

Julie didn’t just collect pro perspectives. She wove together the voices of pros, emerging players, and mindset leaders to create a chorus that reflects the real diversity of women at the tables.

Ritual, Energy, and the Inner Game

In Chapter 7, Julie explores the role of ritual at the table. My contribution to that section boils down to a simple truth: “As the chips move around the table, energy moves with them.”

For me, poker has always been as much about the inner game as the outer one. Rituals, presence, and emotional agility are what sustain performance through long days and high-pressure decisions. Julie honors that aspect of the game in a way few poker books do. She treats it as integral, not ornamental.

Why It Belongs on Every Poker Playing Woman’s Shelf

Whether you’re playing your first hand or chasing bracelets, Be Your Own Poker GODDESS offers a strategic and emotional toolkit that meets you where you are. The fundamentals are strong. The emotional intelligence is baked in. And the stories reflect a game that’s evolving.

The more women claim their space on the felt, the more we need resources like this to back that seat with strategy, presence, and power.

Final Thoughts

Julie R. Dargis has created something valuable. This book sharpens your game without losing sight of the human being holding the cards. Poker tests us in ways few arenas can. It’s time for more resources to reflect that reality through a woman’s lens.

Oh, I almost overlooked sharing what fascinated me most about the author: Julie is a 66-year-old professor who has been playing for only three years!

While researching and publishing her first poker-related book, Be Your Own POKER Guru, she explored the topic of emotional regulation. Then, she decided to expand into personal and spiritual development for women poker players and formed her own publishing company, Final Table Publishing.

Poker, at its core, is really just a weird blend of numbers, patience, and trying not to let your face give you away — all things you pick up by sitting at the felt. Some folks seem determined to squeeze those same skills into other corners of the gaming world, mainly online casinos. The numbers tell a bit of a story: apparently, online gaming raked in something close to $33 billion in the US by 2023 (the American Gaming Association put out that stat, if memory serves).

So it’s not surprising, then, to see players drifting from the poker table over to blackjack, baccarat, maybe a quick shot at online slots, always hoping for some kind of leverage — a whiff of that calculated edge from poker. Not every game really invites a deep dive, though. It almost begs the question, or maybe just teases it: is “transfer” the right word, or are some poker habits useful only in tiny pockets here and there?

When probability and decision-making meet the tables

Some games, especially the ones you can play live or online, seem willing to reward a certain kind of brains-over-gut approach. Table games do that. Many poker regulars slip into blackjack or maybe video poker with an odd sense of comfort, relying on their habit of running quick numbers in their heads and sizing up risks on instinct — even when they wander into online slots, where chance dominates but pacing and pattern recognition still have their small psychological pulls.

Executing a snap-judgment — whether to hit, stand, or double in blackjack — feels a lot like balancing decisions to call or fold in a tense hand of poker. There were figures out there suggesting that players who come from poker backgrounds tend to outpace those who just rely on chance, especially in video poker. A pattern emerges over enough hands, particularly if strategy charts stay in play.

In blackjack, it gets even tighter. The edges can shrink to what, under 1%? Funnily enough, casual play can balloon it back to over 4%, a detail some gaming analyses have pointed out in passing. Makes you wonder how big a role things like sizing up a bet or knowing when enough is enough actually play. Emotional steadiness, too, finds its place — keeps revenge bets and bad moods from leaking into the math. It’s a toolkit, honestly: probability, restraint, fast choices. These don’t guarantee anything but seem to make an actual difference in more games than some would expect.

Where luck takes the wheel and why slots still attract

Most casino games, especially online slots, operate almost entirely on chance. Unlike blackjack or video poker, online slots run on random number generators. No poker strategy — bluffing, calculating odds, or reading others—can alter the preset odds. The best a poker player can bring is strict bankroll management and disciplined loss limits. According to some reports, self-control is the only truly transferable skill when stepping into the world of slots, whether online or on the casino floor.

And that checks out. For most people, online slots are there for something fast and shiny, not a game of wits. The whole package — flashing lights, noise, that hope for a payout — well, none of that leaves much room for intentional strategy. Poker players sometimes find it jarring, maybe even frustrating, when all that careful thinking counts for nothing. The habit of sticking to a set budget seems to be the only thing that travels well from poker to slots, and it’s a habit for a reason. Separating feelings from the outcome becomes almost a survival trick. In the end, the best play is just to walk away with your limits intact — there’s very little to “outsmart” when everything’s just random.

Reading people and the ever-slippery idea of position

Some of poker’s most prized skills hinge on figuring out what opponents are really thinking. Watch enough game rooms, and you start to read a hand from a flicker or half-smile. In person, blackjack (especially at a crowded table) sometimes recreates a hint of that — catching a nervous tick from the dealer, peeking at how others react to a string of losses. Some analyses suggest there are rare moments when observation can make a difference, though mostly only in live dealer settings.

As for the digital world, it shuts many of these doors. The usual tells vanish—players pivot to reading betting wigs or how quickly someone acts, a switch that’s second-nature to long-time online poker grinders. “Position” still matters, in theory — acting after others, seeing a few decisions before making your own—though not quite with the same impact as in poker. Multi-player blackjack tables barely give a glimpse, yet that glimpse is sometimes enough to nudge a choice, for whatever it’s worth.

How far does strategy really go after poker?

Try bluffing in most casino games and you’ll hit a wall fast. The poker classic — double-betting or bold calls — barely registers in a blackjack pit or at a roulette wheel. Maybe a sharp betting pace or a sudden detour in play can raise an eyebrow, but compared to the raw results of following the numbers, this barely moves the meter. Games like baccarat or roulette stick to what feels like predestined rules; whatever psychological leftovers linger, they rarely push the scales.

There is some data that indicates the strongest link between poker skills and performance in the casino falls on games where judgment and reaction matter. Emotional steadiness isn’t just window dressing: it may be the only skill that really leaks into nearly every game, dulling the edge of impulse. Poker players are usually drawn to the deep end, looking for layers to peel back, so maybe their real test is figuring out when strategy helps and when it’s just a comfortable habit in a room run by chance.

On keeping things in check

Any decent sense of responsible play starts with knowing your own boundaries. It probably can’t be repeated enough — set your stakes, maybe pick a time to call it quits, and actually stick to it. Sure, using some poker logic might soften outcomes here or there, but it can’t rewrite randomness, especially not when it comes to things like online slots.

The best players, or the ones who last anyway, learn to step away and recognize when the fun gives way to something a touch more stressful. Somewhere around one in five online gamers used spending limits in 2023 (that’s the American Gaming Association again). In the end, smart play isn’t really about squeezing out the last edge. Sometimes it’s just about leaving the table at the right time.

We’re excited to announce that the 12th edition of the Mixed Game Festival will take place at Resorts World Las Vegas from November 16–20, 2025!

For five straight days, poker players will once again enjoy round-the-clock low-stakes mixed game action in one of the city’s premier poker rooms. Cash games will be spread at limits as low as $4/8 and $8/16 with higher-stakes games available upon request. In addition, two tournaments will be on the schedule:

At this festival, we’ll be returning to our roots and embracing everything that has made the first 11 editions of the Mixed Game Festival so special: the community, the camaraderie, and our shared love of mixed games. Expect to see and get to splash around with Poker Hall of Famers, WSOP bracelet winner, and top poker personalities at the felt. Plus, there will be plenty of fun merchandise giveaways courtesy of our friends at RunGoodGear, PokerGO, D&B Poker, and PokerCoaching.com, and of course our traditional pizza party kickoff!

Above all, Mixed Game Festival XII will continue the tradition of delivering the most welcoming, player-friendly atmosphere in poker. Whether you’ve attended before or you’re curious to try mixed games for the first time, this is your chance to pull up a seat, make some new friends, and be part of something truly special.

“This will be our eighth time welcoming the Mixed Game Festival to Resorts World and we can’t wait to have the crew back with us. In particular, for the festival’s final day, we’re excited to be hosting the first ever TORSE tournament in our room’s history, given the mix’s increasing popularity. Should be a blast, as always!” said Leon Wheeler, Director of Poker Operations at Resorts World.

As always, I’m stoked and very much looking forward to hosting you all, handing out candy and other goodies at the tables, and documenting all the mixed game goodness on social media and in our daily recaps. As part of those daily recaps, we’ll once again be highlighting a RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day and Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day, with select players and dealers receiving hats and T-shirts, respectively.

So, whether it’s you’re first time dipping your toes into the mixed game waters and you’re just trying to learn non-Hold’em poker games, or you’re a regular at our live events and are looking forward to a reunion with all your favorite mixed game poker buddies and galpals from across the United States and the rest of the world, be sure to come and join us November 16–20 at Resorts World — where the only thing more exciting than the cards in the air are the good vibes at the table!

You can score discounted hotel room rates at Resorts World by using promo code YYPKR when booking online or calling directly: 1-833-930-3888.

Got questions about our upcoming Mixed Game Festival? Please contact: ro****@*****************le.com

The majority of poker players will recall when they first deposited twenty dollars into an online account. It is not much. It is only sufficient to play at a couple of low stakes. But where the real learning begins. These games are small as they appear, but there are lessons in them that are more valuable than costly classes. The trick is in the way you make use of them. Use them as training fields rather than lotto tickets, and that 20 dollars may pay off in experience that will grow all the way up.

Why Small Deposits Matter

Playing poker with low stakes also provides an invaluable option that money cannot purchase, and that is the liberty to do wrong. With the pressure of big losses removed, players will begin to realize patterns rather than panic over pots. It is the ideal solution to test the ideas and monitor the outcomes.

A lot of players begin by exploring pokerscout.com’s minimum deposit casino picks. These platforms are designed for quick entry and controlled bankroll management, allowing anyone to practice real strategies without draining their wallet. With small deposits, every hand becomes an opportunity to experiment, how often to raise, when to fold marginal hands, or how to apply pressure when the table feels soft.

The idea is not to become a winner on a 20-dollar bet. It’s to sharpen instincts. Those small games reveal the mind secrets that separate random luck from structured thinking. The correct strategies of aggression, traps, and positional play can help you think like a player with higher stakes years before you’re there.

Playing Poker Aggressively (the Right Way)

When carried out properly, aggression will not only win pots but it will also win respect. Most of the players at low-stakes tables are loose-passive. They will name and never lead. A controlled, aggressive player will prosper in that.

Begin with an initial range that is neither too narrow nor too wide. Raise hands that can be played after the flop, and make wise use of continuation bets. There may be a lot of pots whose only reason to exist is that no one wants them. Introduce semi-bluffs, flush or straight draw, and you may keep your opponents guessing whether you hold or hunt.

However, aggression not checked burns quickly. Not about blowing up chips in all the hands, but when pressure pays. One of the real hands will call your bluff and take your stack the moment you do too much of it. Keep aggression moderate and intentional, and it will be your surest advantage.

The Patience of Trap Lines

The silent art form of poker is trapping. It is letting your enemies have enough rope to strangle themselves. Players at small tables will usually overvalue weak pairs or pursue hopeless draws, and are therefore ideal targets of traps.

You do not necessarily have to slam the pot when you have a strong hand. Checking behind or slow-play may work sometimes to extract more out of overconfident rivals. The point is, it is important to know when the right moment is. Prematurely, you miss the value; too late, and you miss it all.

Good traps go with your aggression. Confuse your game to avoid its strategies being read by your opponents. An opportune check-raise on action can lead to doubling of your fortunes, particularly when you have established the pace previously in the session. Strong hands are silent money with patience and timing.

Why Position Changes Everything

Position is a lesson that all poker players hear and very few grasp. Reaction is a better information advantage than any one strategy. You observe them making the moves, then you take your move. That is all that alters the math of any decision.

Position is your tool at low-stakes tables where a number of players limp or make too light a call. Stealing blinds, opening wider on the button, and putting late pressure accumulates small yet steady gains. You are not playing your cards; you are playing their indecisiveness.

On the other hand, there is danger in the early position. The harder hands you have, the more players to your back. Your discipline is what will rescue you when you get into tricky post-flop positions and your bankroll is stable. The more you play upfront, the more you can play later.

Not only get the money, but it also teaches how to be in control. It teaches you to take risks and take opportunities in balance, which is the difference between the amateur game and the real student of the game.

Treating $20 Games as Learning Labs

These little-deposit tables are best regarded as classrooms. Every hand you play is a note. Each defeat is a lesson of what should not be repeated. Reexamine hand histories, notice trends, and inquire as to what has worked and why.

The ability to track your ROI, even when this is in the low range, provides some perspective. Perhaps aggression works during certain sessions and works against us during different sessions. Perhaps it is just your traps that are effective against particular types of players. These facts, when researched, will influence your perception of poker much more than even a single big payout has the ability to do.

The special feature of $20 tables is the possibility to experiment without fear. You are able to play new lines, do three bets, or even see how other players act under pressure. The same plans, as you will see, are also good as refined at the middle stakes. Everything can be scaled; the calculations remain the same, but the thoughts are different.

Growth That Lasts

The truth is, poker improvement rarely comes from huge bankrolls or high-risk sessions. It comes from repetition, observation, and discipline, three things that low-stakes play offers in abundance.

A $20 deposit won’t change your life overnight, but what you learn from it might. Each session teaches you how to manage risk, read behavior, and maintain emotional control. Those are the same skills that build long-term ROI at any stake.

When you start seeing these small tables not as cheap entertainment but as practical training of how to get good at poker, the real growth begins. You’re not just gambling; you’re studying. And every lesson learned with a twenty-dollar bankroll makes you a better, sharper, more profitable player the next time you sit down.

The month of October on PokerGO sees the continuation of PGT events with the PGT PLO Series and Super High Roller Bowl: $100k Pot-Limit Omaha, while Season 7 of No Gamble, No Future presented by PokerStars comes to a conclusion.

No Gamble, No Future presented by PokerStars

The seventh season of No Gamble, No Future concludes with the final four episodes. The $100/$100 No-Limit Hold’em cash game featuring Jennifer Tilly, Randy “3Coin” Sadler, Taylor Wilson, Alex Aqel, Pink, Freddy Hamad, and Rips has one final exciting episode.

The season-ending line-up sees several new faces including FS1’s First Things First host Nick Wright, H3 Podcast host Ethan Klein, and Daniel “DrDadPoker” Schill. Those three are joined by PokerStars’ Joe Stapleton, as well as Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly, Taylor Wilson, and Rips.

PGT PLO Series II

The sixth installment of the PGT PLO Series returns to the PokerGO Studio from October 14-25, with a 10-event schedule. The buy-ins range from $5,300 to the $26,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, and there are three bounty events on the schedule. For the first-time during a PGT PLO Series, there will be a Quattro Bounty event which will pay the final 25% of the field a 4x bounty.

The player who accumulates the most PGT points throughout the series will be crowned the PGT PLO Series champion and awarded the PGT Gold Cup and a $10,000 PGT Passport. Previous champions have included Lautaro Guerra, Daniel Geeng, Samuli Sipila, Matthew Wantman, and Jesse Lonis.

Super High Roller Bowl: $100k Pot-Limit Omaha

Returning for the third year, the Super High Roller Bowl: $100k Pot-Limit Omaha will see the best Pot-Limit Omaha players in the world collide to battle for one of the biggest prizes awarded in Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments. Jared Bleznick emerged victorious in 2023 to win $1,292,000 for topping the 38-entrant field, while Seth Davies topped the 42-entrant field in 2024 to win the $1,500,000 first-place prize.

The marquee Pot-Limit Omaha event of the 2025 PGT season returns from October 27-29 with Day 2 registration and action livestreamed on PokerGO from Day 1. Alongside the Super High Roller Bowl: $100k Pot-Limit Omaha will be two $25k buy-in single-day Pot-Limit Omaha high rollers on October 28-29.

Watch the entire Super High Roller Bowl: $100k Pot-Limit Omaha from October 27-29.

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