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When people think of Counter-Strike, the first thing that comes to mind is gunplay, team-based tactics, or iconic esports highlights. However, behind that, there’s another side of the CS world that has grown massively over the past decade – the realm of gambling.

For better or worse, Counter-Strike gambling has become a defining part of the game’s culture. It all started with simple bets, but has now developed casino-style platforms – it’s clear that gambling isn’t just a side feature anymore. It has become a major force in the CS2 community, so why has it become so popular?

Counter Strike

Image credit: Valve

Skins Created an Economy and an Opportunity

All of this started when Valve introduced weapon skins in CS:GO in 2013. People thought skins were just a way to customize their loadouts, but little did they know it’d turn into a multi-million-dollar economy. The combination of rarity, visual appeal, and tradability turned skins into a digital currency.

As the value of skins rose, players naturally began to look for ways to use them beyond just flexing in game. First, it started with trading skins, but soon after, gambling became the perfect fit. Suddenly, your knife wasn’t just a cool item – it could be used as gambling chips in a game of chance.

This became the foundation for everything that followed: jackpot, case battles, coinflips, crash – these are all games that are fueled by the desire to turn cheap items into something expensive.

Gambling – A New Layer of Excitement

Let’s be honest – Counter-Strike matches are already intense, but gambling adds an entirely new thrill. Whether you’ve just gone all-in on a single coinflip, or are witnessing a crash multiplier go to 1000x, the risk-reward element makes every moment feel like high stakes.

Counter-Strike gambling taps to the same energy that draws people to loot boxes, poker, or even sports betting. There’s that mix of suspense, luck, and adrenaline. For many, it’s entertainment in its own right that’s separate from the game itself.

Naturally, this has many parallels. Any sports fan knows that rooting for your favorite team to win is fun enough, but when you add a little bit of a wager into the mix, the game becomes that more exciting to watch. This holds true in poker as well. Even if you’re not the one playing cards, it’s possible to stake players via sites like Pokerstake and then have a piece of their action while they play and try to make it into the winner’s circle. Playing poker = great. Watching poker = not as great; however, if you’ve got a nice little sweat, watching poker becomes FAR more interesting.

Gambling Feeds the Skin Market

In any event, both the trading and gambling scenes were rapidly growing in the CS ecosystem, and the relationship between skins and gambling is symbiotic. The more players gamble, the more skins circulate. And the more rare skis exist in the economy, the more players want to gamble for a shot at winning one.

Gambling platforms offer exclusive skins, upgrades, or battle rewards that will eventually feed back into the market when these skins go through changes of hands. This keeps the trading skins active, and the skin prices going – which, in turn, sustains the broader CS2 community.

Gambling is truly one of the reasons why Counter-Strike’s skin economy remains one of the strongest in gaming.

Streamers and Social Media Add to the Hype

A huge part of why gambling blew up in the CS scene comes from content creators. YouTubers and streamers record themselves doing case openings, getting crash wins, and engaging in massive coinflips. This makes for addicting content that has drawn more players into the world of skin gambling.

Giveaways, affiliate bonuses, and promo codes also keep the audience engaged. Even if someone doesn’t gamble themselves, they’re often watching someone who does – which continues to normalize and grow the practice.

The Gambling Industry Continues to Evolve

In 2025, sites continue to innovate and evolve. They’re adapting with better visuals, introducing mobile versions, and adding new game modes. The overall gambling experience is smoother, more competitive, and more interactive than ever.

It’s official: the 2025 WSOP Main Event has roared into the record books, clocking in with a massive 9,735 entries. Just like how Australian online pokies keep drawing the crowds with their low-stakes, high-thrill gameplay, this tournament pulled in players from all corners, putting it at number three in the all-time size rankings, right behind the historic stampedes of 2023 and 2024. The prize pool? A chunky $90.5 million. First place? A clean $10 million payday. And if you’re into poker drama, the final table is set for July 15 and 16 in Vegas. Bring the popcorn!

WSOP

2025 WSOP Main Event: Key Stats at a Glance

The numbers speak louder than any bluff. These are the hard stats that define this year’s monster of a Main Event:

Before we dive into chip counts and wild bluffs, let’s check the numbers that have made the 2025 WSOP Main Event pop:

No fluff, no filler. Just a good ol’ fashioned gold rush in the Nevada summer heat. With stats like these, you don’t need drama (even though anyone who has been watching the broadcasts on PokerGO has certainly seen their fill of drama); the scale alone is enough for poker’s marquee event of the year grab anyone’s attention.

Timeline of the 2025 WSOP Main Event

Every big story needs a timeline. Here’s how the 2025 Main Event has unfolded thus far, day by day:

The action kicked off on July 2 with Day 1A and kept rolling through four starting flights. By the time fireworks were going off on the Fourth of July, players were already deep into Day 1C — trading BBQs for bluffs. The survivors reconvened on July 6 and 7 for Days 2ABC and 2D, respectively, depending on which Day 1 flight they’d played.

Yesterday marked Day 3, where for the first time the entire remaining field came together to play as one. Play continued until there were just over a dozen players from reaching the money; that’ll happen when Day 4 kicks off today, at which point everyone remaining in the tournament will be guaranteed a payout of at least $15,000.

From now until and through Day 7, the field will whittle down further and further. The final table will be set on July 13. The remaining nine players at that point will get a much-needed day off on July 14 before returning for the last two days of play, with a champion being crowned on July 16. Eleven days. Almost 10,000 players. One $10 million finish line.

The numbers are in on the third largest Main Event field ever!

9,735 entries built a prizepool of $90,535,500.
1,461 players will make the money.
The min-cash comes in at $15,000 and 9 players will go home with at least $1,000,000!

1st place: $10,000,000
2nd: $6,000,000
3rd:… pic.twitter.com/J2pRoBdELD

— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 8, 2025

How 2025 Compares to Previous WSOP Main Events

Poker fans love a good showdown — and that includes stats across seasons. Let’s see how 2025 stacks up versus previous years:

Year

EntriesPrize PoolWinner

First Prize

202310,043$93,399,900Daniel Weinman$12,100,000
202410,112$94,041,600Jonathan Tamayo$10,000,000
20259,735$90,535,500TBD$10,000,000

Still a monster event, even if it’s not breaking last year’s attendance.

Notable Players and Performances

No WSOP would be complete without a mix of legends, underdogs, and wild surprises. This year served them all on a silver platter:

The Day 1 flights were a grab bag of personalities. Picture grizzled bracelet-winners hunched next to some of poker’s top content producers and vloggers with ring lights in their backpacks. The terrific twosome of Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu busted in spectacular fashion on Day 3, short of the money.

Plenty of viral moments were captured by the PokerGO cameras, both featuring legends of the game as well as making new stars shine. Oh, and a bit too much camera time for Will Kassouf… nuff said.

WSOP Main Event: Global Participation and Trends

The 2025 Main Event didn’t just draw a crowd — it drew the world. Here’s a glimpse of the global poker pulse:

Players from more than 60 countries packed the tables this year, turning Horseshoe Las Vegas into a buzzing Tower of Babel. It wasn’t just the flags that were new — a not insignificant percentage of the field came in through small-stakes online satellites, many playing their first live tournament ever. The demographics are shifting, too. More women than ever showed up, and the average age is sliding lower. It’s clear: poker’s latest boom is younger, more global, and not nearly as beardy as it used to be.

Viewing and Coverage

Couldn’t make it to Vegas? No sweat. Here’s how fans have been keeping up from couches and break rooms worldwide.

The 2025 Main Event got full digital treatment. PokerGO’s broadcast team has been going nearly nonstop, streaming every shove and showdown. If you’re the kind who likes snack-sized content, YouTube’s been flooded with recaps, highlight reels, and a few accidental rants caught on mic. Real-time updates, chip counts, and spicy hands have been lighting up social feeds. Lon McEachern and Norman Chad are still holding court on commentary, love it or leave it. All told, this year’s coverage has been more accessible — and more addictive — than ever.

The crown jewel of poker. ????

The 2025 @WSOP Main Event bracelet has arrived, and it’s a stunner.

Tune in to https://t.co/2RQh5ROjQG all the way through July 16 to see who takes it home.

???? @_antonio_abrego @EnriqueMPhoto @iammiguelcortes pic.twitter.com/dcWf55QENy

— PokerGO (@PokerGO) July 6, 2025

Final Thoughts on the 2025 WSOP Main Event

The 2025 WSOP Main Event has already earned its place in the poker history books. Third-largest of all time. Close to 10,000 players chasing a dream, some of them for the very first time. One champion will walk away with eight figures and a gold bracelet heavier than your coffee mug.

If you’re a fan of the game or just like a good underdog story, keep your eyes on the final table July 15–16. It’s gonna be wild.

London – July 4, 2025 – CoinPoker, the world’s leading crypto poker platform, has launched one of its most ambitious promotions to date. From July 7 to September 7, players will compete for $10,000 in daily prizes via the site’s brand-new 4-Hour Leaderboards, running six times per day for two full months.

This marks a significant evolution in its online cash game rewards, offering five times the daily prize money and six times the chance to win, compared to the previous format.

New 4-Hour CoinPoker Leaderboards: More Rewards, More Often

CoinPoker’s latest cash game leaderboard upgrade is all about maximizing opportunity.

With the retirement of the Bad Beat Jackpot, $350,000 has been redirected into this two-month campaign, CoinPoker’s largest and most rewarding cash game promotion ever.

Instead of waiting 24 hours for results, players can now compete in six separate 4-hour leaderboards every day, each offering fresh chances to climb the ranks and claim a share of the action.

With $10,000 in daily prizes over 2 months spread across these short bursts of competition, players are rewarded more frequently than ever before.

Whether you jump in during a lunch break or late-night session, your grind can now translate into instant value.

Track your position live and play on your terms, whenever it fits your schedule.

A $630,000 Investment in Player Value

This isn’t just a format refresh. It’s a $630,000 investment to give more back to the cash game players who drive the action.

This makes it the most lucrative cash game promotion in CoinPoker history.

“By eliminating outdated mechanics like the Bad Beat Jackpot, we’re returning value directly to players in a way that’s fast, fair, and trackable,” a CoinPoker spokesperson said.

The 4-Hour Leaderboards fully replace the Bad Beat Jackpot, with all existing BBJ funds redirected into daily prizes.

4-Hour Leaderboards Payout Schedule (UTC)

Time SlotPrize Pool
00:00 – 04:00$1,500
04:00 – 08:00$1,000
08:00 – 12:00$1,500
12:00 – 16:00$2,000
16:00 – 20:00$2,000
20:00 – 00:00$2,000

With over 90 payouts daily, this fast-paced format offers unmatched value for serious and recreational players alike.

Transparent, Skill-Based Scoring System

Players earn leaderboard points based on the Community Contributions (CC) they generate at the tables, with a dynamic scoring system that scales by stake. The higher the stakes, the greater the reward.

Points are calculated using coefficients that vary depending on the stakes and are awarded for each big blind completed by the player.

Here’s how points are awarded:

This ensures players who actively engage and finish hands will rise to the top. Leaderboard positions update every minute and are visible in real time.

Built for Serious Cash Game Players

???? Announcing the 4-Hour Leaderboards
???? $10,000 in daily prizes
???? July 7 to Sept 7

We’ve ended the BBJ and replaced it with something better.
Steady rewards tied to your play
Over $600K to be won

6 leaderboards every day
Every 4 hours = a new shot to win
Every hand counts.… pic.twitter.com/nh8QB0hyfQ

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) July 4, 2025

Key Features

Redefining Online Poker Promotions

This launch signals a shift in how CoinPoker delivers promotional value moving away from random luck to daily performance rewards. The 4-Hour Leaderboards are:

Players no longer wait for rare jackpot triggers. Now they can win multiple times daily, based entirely on their gameplay.

Track your rank in real time and win more, more often

With leaderboards resetting every 4 hours instead of 24, you now have six chances a day to climb the ranks and cash in.

Stay on top of your ranking on the CoinPoker 4-hour leaderboard page  and maximise every session.

Join the Action Today

With high-value promotions, lightning-fast crypto and fiat payments, and highly rewarding leaderboards, CoinPoker is redefining the modern online poker experience.

Start playing today and climb the 4-Hour Leaderboards for your shot at $10,000 every day.

About CoinPoker

CoinPoker is the crypto-powered poker site that’s changing the game. Built on blockchain and launched in 2017, it delivers lightning-fast crypto and fiat transactions in 20+ countries, high-value cash game promotions, such as the Mid-Stakes Cash Game World Championship which was held last month.

Whether you’re in for soft games, daily promos, or high-stakes action, CoinPoker offers unmatched value.

Backed by an industry-leading 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000, 33% rakeback, and VIP perks that reward every hand you play.

A provably fair RNG built on the revolutionary blockchain technology giving players total control over their bankrolls and gameplay.

With $17M+ in verified reserves, global fiat onramps, and a growing community of over 100,000 players, CoinPoker is accessible, secure, and built for real grinders.

This is the future of online poker: faster, fairer, and built for the future.

This lesson hit me hard years ago, deep in a second-chance tournament at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Mississippi. I peeked at red Aces, and without thinking, I automatically snapped my cards back to the table.

Half the players whipped their heads toward me. I had just “told” the whole table I had a premium hand. That was a lesson learned! Now I coach players to use that breath, that pause. It makes all the difference.

Here’s what I teach now: Wait to look at your cards until it’s your turn to act. Stay neutral. Observe. Pause. Then say your two cards to yourself three times before reacting, which builds mental space, slows your energy, and reduces emotional tells.

Most players prepare for the World Series of Poker with hand charts and poker study groups. But there’s another kind of prep that can help you run deeper and win more often.

Katlyn Slone

Enter Katlyn Slone: A $27 Poker Dream

Recently I met with Katlyn Slone, a newcomer to the World Series of Poker scene. She won her entry into the 2025 WSOP Main Event through a $27 satellite in an online poker club I’m a part of. We crossed paths in mini-tournaments, and I quickly realized that she was a player to be wary of.

Katlyn is a mom of two toddlers. She works full-time as a philanthropy director for a nonprofit that is dedicated to ending loneliness through genuine human connection, with a special focus on youth.

She’s tall, intentional, and deeply self-aware. New to the poker stage, but as a mother, wife, housekeeper, and a grant writer with deadlines, Katlyn is well-acquainted with pressure.

Katlyn shared a story with me that reinforced the idea that she may have skills she didn’t know she had: she’s more aware, more willing to learn, and more open to change. “Here in Washington state, we only have fixed limit poker, and with a modest bankroll of $100 for cash play, I often feel like I’m donating the money to the table,” she told me.

When I first learned to play 7-card stud limit in 1996, it was just before no-limit Texas Hold’em became popular. Limit pots grow slowly, house rake siphons profit, and big wins take patience. Loads and loads of patience.

The Poker Edge Gained Through Reflection

Poker and life both require building patience through practiced self-awareness. That’s why I shared the Three-Question After-Action process with Katlyn that I use all the time.

I use it during breaks, after sessions, and even in the middle of a hand when needed. Taking a few moments to pause and reflect can be life-changing in both business and relationships. This kind of feedback loop identifies what’s working, where the attention is needed, and accelerates growth.

Being unconsciously conscious and aware is the gold standard both on and off the felt.

That’s where we began. From there, I shared with her the tools I’ve learned over the years. The lessons that come from playing, coaching, and yes, reinventing my own game.

Winning Poker: Mindset First, Cards Second

When we met for Katlyn’s pre-WSOP session, strategy wasn’t the focus. We started with mindset, and the internal stories we tell ourselves long before sitting down and hearing those iconic words, “Shuffle up and deal!”

Katlyn openly shared her questions: “Why me?” “Am I good enough?” “Will my kids be okay without me?”

Our words matter. We all slip into limiting stories. Instead of saying “I’m bad at reading players,” try: “I struggled with reading players until recently.”

That small phrase — “until recently” — rewrites your story in real time.

As we explored these tools, I watched Katlyn light up. Her background in personal development gave her a strong foundation, but she had never before applied those tools to poker. Now she does.

When I ran the Poker Pure & Simple program for eight years, we started every group coaching session this way:

Katlyn told me, “Folding feels oddly powerful. Not weak. Not passive. Just right. I don’t feel FOMO for once. I feel peace.”

Play Quietly, Win Loudly!

After our session, a friend called and asked Katlyn to play during lunch. So, she went to a local lunch game with her $100 poker bankroll and left with $389!

That didn’t sound earth-shattering at first until I remembered how hard it was to win big in $1/$2 Limit Hold’em!

Katlyn didn’t play many hands that day. She became a player more in the zone. She mastered the tempo without reacting at the table.

That kind of win in a limit game, nearly 4X your bankroll? It’s more than a heater. It’s a shift. Katlyn didn’t chase the action; she claimed stillness. She reported back to me, “I left feeling more like a real poker player than I had in months.” 

That’s not a brag; that’s a breakthrough.

Poker Mom Parlays $27 to a $10K WSOP Main Event Seat, and then…

Could this be the next Moneymaker moment, but this time, from a woman?

Every time I see that number, I pause. $27.  Is it time again? Time for another unexpected win to rock the poker world?

Katlyn came to work with me as a first-time participant ahead of the WSOP Main Event. She left something more, as a woman who could claim space at any table. By the end of our call, her energy was different. She sat taller.

Coaching women like Katlyn is why I’m stepping fully back into this game, not just as a player, but as a guide.

I felt that truth land when her voice steadied, and she declared, “I’m done proving I belong. I now know I do.”

Katlyn Slone is ready to play the game on her terms.

Rated one of the best crypto Discord servers for poker, the thriving CoinPoker Discord community has surpassed 5,000 verified members enjoying blockchain based, no KYC poker.

To celebrate, the premier crypto poker site is rolling out a weeklong, Discord-exclusive tournament series boasting over $5,000 in prizes and packed with thrilling competitions designed to reward community loyalty and spotlight Discord as the go-to hub for CoinPoker.com players.

Coinpoker Discord

Crypto giveaways are frequent on the site, even if you miss this special event.

Event Overview

Five-Day Discord League

Verified Discord members can jump into daily $2 buy-in NLHE tournaments Monday through Friday.

The top 7 finishers earn leaderboard points, with exclusive profile flair awarded to the top 3 overall and the ultimate winner crowned the “Discord League Champion” — complete with a custom role.

Daily MTT Details:

Coinpoker PaloFPS

Community Manager PaloFPS playing heads up against Stefan11222, who plays as SIGNUM on CoinPoker

$3,000 Leaderboard Payouts

Saturday Home Game Cash Challenge

NL5 cash game players will compete in a $1,000 cash challenge filled with surprise rewards and fun tasks. All prizes are delivered instantly via P2P transfers.

Cash Game Drop Challenges:

Total Prize Pool: $1,000

Sunday $1,000 Discord Tournament Main Event

The celebration concludes with a $5 buy-in main event exclusive to Discord members, mirroring CoinPoker’s flagship Sunday tournament format.

Why Join This Poker Discord?

This fast growing poker Discord is the ultimate hub for players looking to improve their game, connect with the community, and also stay ahead of the curve with decentralized, no KYC poker worldwide.

It features a dedicated “Study Corner” with poker pro Tom “Trotmant99” Trotman offering free hand history reviews, weekly coaching webinars, and special guest appearances by CoinPoker ambassadors like Patrick “Pads” Leonard.

The channel delivers unparalleled access to advanced poker strategy content.

Join the CoinPoker Discord to unlock free poker coaching, exclusive member-only contests and competitions, plus early access to the latest news and promotions.

With channels showcasing the latest YouTube content from ambassadors and a private streamer chat for networking, CoinPoker’s Discord is more than a community; it gives you an edge over your opponents.

Join 5,000+ players in CoinPoker’s official Discord. Your hub for hand reviews, exclusive tournaments, giveaways, and direct access to pros and staff.

Whether you’re looking to level up your game or just win cool prizes, there’s something for every poker fan.

Join the CoinPoker Discord to enjoy exclusive community benefits:

How To Join

  1. Join Discord: Click here
  2. Get Verified: Follow instructions in #verify
  3. Download CoinPoker: Available on desktop, Android, and iOS
  4. Deposit & Play: Supports USDT, USDC, ETH, BTC, MATIC, and fiat money in 20+ countries

Best Crypto Discord And Best Poker Site?

Launched in 2017, CoinPoker has quickly established itself as the go-to online poker platform for real-money players seeking security and innovation.

Powered by blockchain technology, CoinPoker delivers a truly decentralised experience with provably fair gameplay, instant crypto deposits and withdrawals, and great tournaments and cash games, making it one of the most efficient and transparent poker sites in the industry.

The platform boasts over $17 million in verified proof of reserves, ensuring that your poker funds are safe, and supports fiat onramps across 20+ countries, making it easy for players worldwide to join the action regardless of crypto experience.

With a global user base of 100,000 active players, CoinPoker attracts everyone from recreational grinders to high-stakes crypto whales, creating some of the softest and most lucrative games online.

New players can claim an industry-leading 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000, enjoy 33% rakeback, and access fantastic promotions, giveaways, and exclusive VIP rewards.

Whether you’re grinding tournaments, battling in high-stakes cash games, or learning the ropes, CoinPoker provides a modern, player-first ecosystem built for the future of online poker.

People think of poker, and they might also think about bluffing straight away. It is one of the skills involved in the game. It is also something that leads to many dramatic moments in games. Poker is one of the most famous card games around the world. There are loads of reasons why people enjoy poker.

Even people who’ve never played poker have probably heard about bluffing. But what exactly does it mean to bluff, and why do poker players do it?

bluff card poker

The World of Poker

First, let’s look at poker itself. Poker isn’t just one game. There are lots of different versions, each with unique rules and ways of playing. The most popular form of the game is Texas Hold’em. All versions have their own strategies and ways to win. Bluffing is a big part of Hold’em as well as some of the other main forms of the game. Choosing the right poker game depends on what players enjoy most. There are forms of poker and other varieties of the game that don’t really let you bluff at all.

Hold’em is a game that’s famous for bluffing. Players only see a few cards face-up on the table, and everyone keeps their other cards secret. Because players don’t know what cards everyone else has, bluffing becomes a big part of the strategy. There are different ways people engage with poker online. Bluffing is about reading people – this means that there are some visual cues. Online, it is harder to spot those. But bluffing is still a huge part of the game.

In stud poker, more cards are face-up. When more cards are visible, bluffing is trickier. Players rely less on bluffing and more on careful play. Knowing the right game helps players decide if bluffing suits their playing style or not.

You might have heard of a “tell” in poker. This is when people reveal their cards through their body language. It is all about being able to understand how people are reacting to the cards on the table. A tell is even something explored in detail by some of the best poker players ever – Daniel Negreanu devotes a section of his Masterclass to it!

 

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What Exactly is Bluffing?

Bluffing is a simple idea. It means making other players think you have better cards than you actually do. Players do this by betting or acting confidently (even if their hand isn’t very strong). The goal of bluffing is to convince others to fold (quit the round) so you win without showing your cards.

For example, imagine someone has weak cards, but they keep betting strongly and acting very confident. Other players might believe them and decide their own hands aren’t good enough. They might fold instead of risking losing chips. The bluffing player can potentially win with a weaker hand. This is one of the things that makes poker pretty intriguing.

READ MORE: Pokercoaching.com’s Complete Guide to Bluffing

Bluffing can also work the other way around. A player with strong cards might pretend their cards are weak and hope that others keep betting and building the pot. This helps the bluffing player win more if the strategy works. Either way, bluffing is all about creating uncertainty. It involves making other players unsure about your real cards and intentions.

The term is so ubiquitous that we also see it in the media. There are a lot of examples in the media – there was even a popular game show called Call My Bluff.

When Might Players Choose to Bluff?

People don’t bluff randomly. It is also important to say that it doesn’t always work! Successful bluffing happens at certain moments when it makes sense. Players usually pick specific times to bluff, based on the game situation.

When Few Players Remain in a Round

If only a couple of players are left in a hand, bluffing can work better. Fewer players mean fewer opponents to convince. It’s easier to make one or two players fold rather than four or five. Players often bluff when the table gets quieter and the stakes feel more personal.

When Cards on the Table Seem Strong

Sometimes, the community cards (the ones everyone can see) look really strong, like they could form a great hand. Even if a player’s personal cards aren’t strong, they might bluff because the visible cards suggest a good hand. Other players might assume the bluffing player holds strong matching cards and fold because of it.

When an Opponent Seems Uncertain

Good poker players watch their opponents closely. They look for signs of uncertainty or hesitation. If another player looks unsure about their cards, it might be the perfect moment to bluff. The hesitant player might easily fold.

Conclusion

This is just one part of the rich tapestry of the game of poker! Some people choose to bluff a lot in the game. Some players have reputations for very rarely bluffing. There are potential benefits but like all aspects of poker, the outcome is never certain.

Imagine this: you start out playing a poker tournament at a local bar just for fun. Fast forward a year, and you’re sitting at a table in Las Vegas at the World Series of Poker, with a million dollars and a gold bracelet within reach. For ONK Poker players, that’s not just a fantasy. It’s a real shot, made possible every single year.

The Dutch Poker Championship

ONK Poker runs hundreds of online and live tournaments throughout the Netherlands every year. Due to local gambling laws, players don’t compete for cash, but they do compete for glory and the opportunity of a lifetime: a seat at the WSOP.

If you win the national final, you’ll earn the title of Dutch Poker Champion for a full year. But even more exciting? You could be selected to join Team ONK Poker, a hand-picked duo that gets to represent the Netherlands at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Team ONK Poker at the 2025 WSOP

In 2025, that honor went to Albert (2024 Dutch Champion) and Nathalie (standout player of the season). From May 29 to June 5, they took their shot at Event #1: $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Mystery Millions.

The mission was simple: chase that million-dollar top prize, or at least pull the $1,000,000 mystery bounty from one of the envelopes. Easy? Definitely not. Ambitious? Absolutely!

Want to see how it all played out? Check out the full three-part docuseries on the ONK Poker YouTube channel. No spoilers, but we will say this: it was an experience they’ll never forget.

About ONK Poker

ONK Poker is the largest poker community in the Netherlands, with over 40,000 tournament entries each year. Whether you prefer playing live or online poker, ONK Poker offers accessible tournaments for players of all skill levels.

You can create your own poker profile at onkpoker.nl, improve your game with their knowledge base, and stay up to date with the latest poker news. It’s a great place to play poker just for fun, but still play for something real.

I’m pleased to announce that Cardplayer Lifestyle has once again partnered with the Women’s Poker Association (WPA) to provide exclusive coverage of “Women’s Poker Week” events this summer. We’ll be covering a number of Ladies Events that will be taking place around Las Vegas.

Women's Poker Week

“The WPA is so excited to partner with Cardplayer Lifestyle for the second year in a row to exclusively cover Women’s Poker Week — which, let’s be honest, is starting to look more like Women’s Poker Two Weeks with the number of events happening across Las Vegas! What started as a small cluster of tournaments many summers ago has grown into a major moment for women in the game, and it’s been incredible to watch that momentum build. As President of the WPA, I’m proud that we’re not only creating more visibility for women in poker — but also celebrating each other’s wins and building real community along the way. I can’t wait to connect with all the amazing women coming to play this summer and be part of something that continues to grow bigger and better every year.”, said Tara Windsor-Smith.

WPA partnership Ladies Poker Week

What to Expect from Our Women’s Poker Week Coverage

Prior to 2024, Women’s Poker Week had been heavily promoted, but had never properly been reported on in-depth. The raison d’etre behind our partnership with the Women’s Poker Association was to showcase each of the individual Ladies Events around Las Vegas as well as the wonderful players and venues that help to make Women’s Poker Week such a well-attended series of events each summer. We aimed to capture that spirit with last year’s coverage, and will be doing so once again this summer with one very notable change: I will be “passing the reporting torch” to Roxanne Johnson.

An experienced live reporter with multiple stints working with PokerNews at the World Series of Poker, Roxanne brings with her an incredible passion for the game. “I love covering women’s events and am truly thrilled to see more women playing poker,” she immediately responded when I first asked if she was interested in the position. “Women can be fierce on the felt and it is amazing to watch the skill development and confidence that poker incites. I have always admired the women of poker and I have rooted for many of the best women players to win including Jennifer Harman, Jennifer Tilly, Vanessa Selbst, Jennifer Shahade and of course fellow Canadians, Kristen Foxen and Vanessa Kade,” she continued.

Roxanne also has plenty of experience at the felt, having learned all sorts of poker variants as a child from her grandfather, notably having won a Platinum Pass to the second PokerStars Players Championship, and having participated in our Mixed Game Festival in the past.

Roxanne Johnson

Roxanne will be wearing the Cardplayer Lifestyle patch and reporting on multiple ladies event’s results, highlight final tables, winners, and some players and interesting stories from the felt. Be sure to follow us on X @PokerLifeMedia and @RoxanneLee321 to keep up-to-date during the tournaments themselves. During Women’s Poker Week, you’ll be able to read her recap of a variety of events on the calendar and share it with all your poker friends and family rooting you on from back home.

New Women’s Poker Week Sponsors

In another change from last year’s coverage, this year we’re thankful for the support of multiple sponsors, including: Faded Spade Playing Cards, LearnWPT, Jaka Coaching, Jamie Kerstetter, and Maria Ho.

It’s great to know that there are so many wonderful people and companies in the poker industry who demonstrably advocate for the advancement of women in the game, and share Cardplayer Lifestyle’s mission to grow the game and make it more inclusive for everyone!

Women’s Poker Week: Players of the Day Spotlight

At each Women’s Poker Week tournament, we’ll be highlighting the story of a designated Player of the Day. If you want to “see your name in lights”, this could be your chance.

We’ll tell your story, find out what you do away from the felt, what you love about playing in Ladies Events, your goals for Women’s Poker Week, and more.

“The Women’s Poker Association is proud to partner with Cardplayer Lifestyle for the second year in a row to shine a spotlight on an often-overlooked segment of ‘poker summer camp.’ Together, we’re committed to celebrating the women of poker and showcasing their achievements at events across Las Vegas. I personally cannot wait to see and connect with all the women coming to Las Vegas this year as we continue to support women in this game.” said WPA Vice President AJ Rudolph.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Las Vegas for 2025 Women’s Poker Week!

Back in 2003, Chris Moneymaker didn’t just win the World Series of Poker Main Event — he changed the game.

A recreational poker player and accountant out of Tennessee, armed with an $86 satellite entry and a last name that sounded too good to be true, Moneymaker became the face of a poker revolution. His televised run collided with the debut of the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel — launching poker into living rooms across the globe. By 2009, one in four Americans played poker weekly. And yes, we all remember that call the night World Poker Tour aired: “Fred, turn on the TV! We can see their cards!”

Twenty-two years later, Moneymaker is still here — and sharper than ever.

In a recent live Ask Me Anything (AMA) hosted by Lena Evans, exclusive to members of The Poker Powered Brain group, Chris pulled back the curtain on his mindset, strategy, and evolution as a player. What emerged was a portrait of someone who’s gone from fearless underdog to seasoned player, balancing aggression with emotional discipline.

Chris Moneymaker Live AMA PLON

The key theme? Patience. But not the kind you think.

“Be patient, but be reckless at the same time.”

It sounds like a contradiction, but that paradox sits at the heart of high-level tournament poker. Chris clarified that patience is not about folding into oblivion and waiting for aces. It’s about waiting for the right opportunity — then pulling the trigger without flinching.

Patience Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait

Chris admitted he had zero patience when he first started playing. Like many of us, he learned the hard way — dumping chips, making desperate moves, and letting emotion override strategy.

“Patience is something you learn after you’ve lost your stack.”

That hit home for everyone on the call. Especially for players who feel like their biggest leak is doing something after folding for too many orbits. Chris warned against assuming your opponents are tracking your image the way you are.

“Most players aren’t paying that much attention. You’re thinking, ‘I’ve been tight, they’ll give me credit,’ but they’re thinking about dinner.”

It’s not about what you’ve done — it’s about what they’ve noticed.

Adapting to the Field in Real Time

Tournament poker is fluid. Stack sizes, table dynamics, player types — they shift constantly.

“Every table is unique. Every hour, the game changes.”

Chris emphasized that adjusting to that change is non-negotiable. Whether you’re deep in a Triton event or grinding a WSOP Daily Deepstack, your ability to shift gears will determine how far you go.

Short-stacked? Get comfortable making moves with hands like 8♦9♥ or T♠J♠ when the moment’s right — especially against a chip bully opening 80% of hands.

Big stacked? Loosen up selectively. Apply pressure. Open your hand ranges. Recognize when opponents are too soft or waiting for min-cash territory — and pounce.

“If you’re not changing your game, you’re falling behind.”

Bounce-Back Power: Dealing With Card Dead Runs

What if the cards don’t show up?

Chris shared that being “card dead” doesn’t mean being powerless. He once stole a pot with 8♣2♦, not because he had a hand, but because he had information. He’d watched the table. He’d listened. He made a move when the moment was right.

“Play a game in your head — try to put people on hands. Keep your mind active. Stay present.”

This mental discipline separates pros from recreational players. You may be holding rags, but you’re not folding your awareness.

And when the pain hits — like bubbling a major event — he offers this advice:

“If a bad beat ruins your week, maybe poker isn’t for you.”

Studying, Evolving, and Getting Humbled

Despite his iconic status, Chris admitted he once stalled out.

“I wasn’t studying. Everybody passed me by.”

Then came a humbling hand online. He held A♠K♠ and ran into Q♣5♣ played by Shaun Deeb. Chris won the hand — but the lesson stung. He realized his 3-bet range was too narrow. His call range? Even tighter.

“I’d never even heard of concepts like 3-bet frequencies. I had to relearn.”

And he did. With coaching, data, and self-review, he got back to the grind. His recent win in the May 13, 2024 Triton Poker $25K GGMillion$ Live event in Montenegro proved it. He topped a field of 163 entries and walked away with $903,000 — the third-largest score of his career.

Show me the Money(maker)! @CMONEYMAKER takes the maiden title at the Triton Poker SHRS Montenegro 2024. He bags an eye-watering $903,000 at Event #1 GG Million$ Live $25,000! This will be Moneymaker’s FIRST title at Triton Poker. Congratulations, Chris! ????????????@GGPoker… pic.twitter.com/601tabie1Q

— Triton Poker (@tritonpoker) May 13, 2024

“I made an aggressive play on the bubble with air and got called, leaving me with one big. I had just made a stupid play, and I knew I had seven hands before the big blind. Waiting for an unopened pot, I woke up with a hand. Doubled up to two bigs, then to four bigs. Waiting through the blinds, down to two bigs twice. I ran pure. Started spinning it back up and won the tournament. The old Chris would’ve moved all in the next hand on tilt. But I’ve evolved.”

Now that’s the evidence “a chip and a chair” is a reality!

Stress Tools and Emotional Recovery

To regulate tilt, Chris used a rubber band on his wrist for a year. Any time he was about to make a dumb play — snap. Over time, he added breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4. He closes his eyes. Resets.

“If you’re not controlling your emotions, you’re leaking chips — even when you’re not in a hand.”

His recovery time has shortened. Busting the Main Event used to wreck him for days. Now?

“Give me two hours. I’ll be fine.”

This emotional agility — this MindShifting™ practice — is the new edge in tournament poker.

What Tournament Players Need to Hear Right Now

Whether you’re chasing your first WSOP bracelet or just trying to ladder up in daily events, Chris Moneymaker’s evolution offers a roadmap:

“You have to be able to bluff off your stack — and still feel good about yourself the next morning.”

That’s a different kind of win. And it’s one most players never learn.

The game has changed since 2003. So has Moneymaker.

And if you’re still playing the same way you did back then — maybe it’s time you changed, too.

Ed. note: Be sure to buy The Poker Powered Brain, which will grant you access to the group’s exclusive AMAs featuring noted poker personalities like Chris Moneymaker, Linda Johnson, Lara Eisenberg, and more. For more information about the book, you can check out our review here.

The BetMGM Poker Championship is back for its fourth summer outing and, if recent trends are anything to go by, it’s set to be bigger than ever.

The $3,500 tournament is, once again, part of the ARIA Poker Classic Summer Series. Following on from last year’s record-breaking event, the 2025 BetMGM Poker Championship has a $3 million guarantee this time around.

The action gets underway on June 30 inside the ARIA, Las Vegas, and play will continue until a champion is crowned on July 4. As ever, BetMGM Poker is running a plethora of low-cost online satellites, but there’s another way to grab yourself a seat.

Stick around, and I’ll reveal what it is in a moment. Before that, here’s why the BetMGM Poker Championship has done what most deem to be impossible and made its mark on Sin City’s packed summer schedule.

BetMGM Poker Championship

History of the BetMGM Poker Championship

The first BetMGM Poker Championship took place in 2022. Back then, it was a shot in the dark from BetMGM Poker.

With tournaments at every turn in Las Vegas, particularly during the summer, breaking through isn’t easy. BetMGM Poker managed it.

The initial $3,500 tournament broke its $1 million guarantee. Joey Weissman won on that occasion and returned to defend his title in 2023 when the guarantee was upped to $2 million.

Once again, expectations were surpassed and the prizepool soared beyond the $2 million mark. In fact, when Leo Taffe eventually topped a field of 1,026 entries, he took home the lion’s share of a $3.2 million prizepool.

Fast-forward to last year, and the BetMGM Poker Championship kicked off with a $3 million guarantee. As before, the guarantee didn’t remain intact for long. A record-breaking 1,141 entries pushed the prizepool to just short of $3.3 million.

When the dust had settled, Daniel Maor stood victorious. His epic heads-up battle with Shannon Shorr not only captivated those inside the ARIA but fans watching online.

Congratulations to Daniel Maor, our 2024 #BetMGM Poker Championship winner! @Dmaor9 bested a field of 1,141 players @AriaLV @AriaPoker to capture the crown ????

????: @pokerorg pic.twitter.com/0SsjoE14aP

— BetMGM Poker (@BetMGMPoker) June 12, 2024

A Poker Tournament for Everyone

The same fans who watched online in 2024 can follow along this year with updates on Poker.org and PokerGO’s live stream. Those who are fortunate enough to have a seat to play in the BetMGM Poker Championship will have a chance to win a share of at least $3 million.

I asked Dave Mileaf, Senior Manager of Poker Operatons at BetMGM, why the tournament has struck a chord with players. He told me the event’s success is helped by BetMGM’s continued growth in the online arena.

“We are going into this summer with tremendous momentum, especially as BetMGM Poker merged Pennsylvania with New Jersey’s and Michigan’s playerpools in April. Since then, we’ve seen an unprecedented volume of play,” said Mileaf.

He added that supporting content and auxiliary initiatives have added to the tournament’s appeal.

“In addition to PokerGO’s final table stream and live coverage from Poker.org, we are leaning into our partnerships. Our new poker ambassador, Abby Merk, is putting together a creator game, and the digital baseball show, Foul Territory, will also be a part of the BetMGM Poker Championship,” Mileaf continued.

Partnerships Bolster BetMGM Poker’s Reputation for Excellence

Mileaf’s point about partnerships is particularly poignant given the link with Cardplayer Lifestyle’s upcoming Mixed Game Festival XI.

“Holding a BetMGM Poker Championship seat giveaway at Mixed Game Festival XI definitely adds excitement. It also puts BetMGM in the conversation among poker players during the summer,” Mileaf said.

More than excitement, it’s the Mixed Game Festival’s connection with players across all parts of the community that caught Mileaf’s attention.

“This is the eleventh Mixed Game Festival, and it is a unique event in the poker community. With our connection to Bellagio Las Vegas and the Mixed Game Festival’s great reputation among players, it was an easy decision for us to partner with Cardplayer Lifestyle,” Mileaf concluded.

It’s interesting Mileaf said that, because the social aspect of poker has been on my mind recently. From my perspective, events like the Mixed Game Festival and BetMGM Poker Championship are rekindling a part of poker that seemed lost a few years ago.

Reigniting the Spirit of Poker

In fact, I’m not the only one who thinks that poker’s social side has dwindled in recent years. YouTube’s telepathic algorithm was clearly doing its thing as I wrote this piece because it suggested the video you see below.

The video in question is a recent episode of the Table 1 podcast with the laconic but always erudite Huckleberry Seed. Why am I telling you this? For two reasons. Firstly, Huck has 26 live tournament wins to his name. Of those victories, seven were in non-Hold’em events.

That leads me to the second reason for bringing up this fortuitous moment. Throughout the podcast, Huck talked about his start in poker, his outlook on the game, and why he stepped away from the felt.

The key takeaways are relevant to the Mixed Games Festival. Huck got his start playing Lowball with his dad. From there, he played Seven Card Stud in college with Konstantin Othmer, one of the first people to write a strategy book based on computer simulations.

The thread that held Huck’s stories together was social interaction. He loved the social aspect of poker and the characters it attracted. The loss of this in the mid-2000s is why he stepped away from the felt.

Poker As it Should be this Summer

For me, this is relevant to the BetMGM Poker Championship and, of course, the Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival. Poker is, and always will be, a form of entertainment. Sure, it’s nice to win money, but the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the experiences you have along the way are worth more.

As Mileaf said, there’s a buzz surrounding the BetMGM Poker Championship, and it’s not just because of the prizepool. The same is also true of the Mixed Game Festival; it isn’t only about money. You only have to look at this year’s schedule to see that.

From pizza parties to celebrity appearances, the 10-day festival is more than just endless cash games or “just another tournament series”. It’s an event that embodies the essence of poker, an essence that Huck Seed, and no doubt others, yearn for.

The fact that four Mixed Game Festival goers are going to win seats into the $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship is a bonus. Plucking people from Cardplayer Lifestyle’s summer social shows BetMGM Poker’s commitment to creating a player-friendly tournament.

So, let’s bring this tangent to a poignant conclusion: Huck Seed is worth listening to. He’s been around poker for decades. He’s won the WSOP Main Event and is a Poker Hall of Famer.

If he says there’s more to poker than Hold’em bots and solvers, we should probably listen. More than that, there are plenty of options out there for players who want something more from their time at the tables.

The BetMGM Poker Championship is one option and Mixed Game Festival XI is another. So, if you’re in Las Vegas over the next few weeks and you’ve got some spare cash, I’d consider getting involved.

Following the success of its High Stakes edition in Dec – Jan, CoinPoker has now launched a new Mid Stakes Cash Game World Championship.

The rake-free cash game showdown is running from now until June 28. It’s a unique event that invites players to take on the best of the best at mid stakes poker, climb the leaderboard, and battle for an exclusive $15,000 Rolex, $10,000 in cash, and five $1,000 VIP game buy-ins.

Coinpoker Cash Game World Championship

What Is The Mid Stakes Cash Game World Championship?

Day 1 action was streamed by Koray ‘KakiTee’ Turker on his YouTube channel.

Some notable names taking part are Rene ‘TheWakko’ Kuhlman – who runs the YouTube channel ‘The Mechanics of Poker’ and plays as ‘TheWhalest’ on CoinPoker – and feared reg BOUILLONDOSS.

Rake-Free Poker and Global Recognition Awaits

The Mid-Stakes Cash Game World Championship offers a rare opportunity for mid-stakes players to showcase their talent on a global stage while paying no rake.

The action takes place on specially branded, rake-free $2.50/$5 tables with a 100BB minimum buy-in and mandatory auto rebuy, ensuring exciting deep stack action.

All CoinPoker players are eligible to participate in this fantastic promotion that blends profit-driven gameplay with the thrill of a leaderboard challenge.

$15,000 Mid Stakes CGWC Leaderboard

A dedicated Mid Stakes CGWC Leaderboard will rank players based on expected value (EV) performance.

That means not only volume but also profitability is taken into account.

The leaderboard updates daily at 12:00 GMT, with real-time competition fuelling each hand.

The Cash Game World Championship Broadcast is LIVE with live commentary from @YoanMerlo !!

Come join the action! ????https://t.co/RW2YRIEafK

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) June 3, 2025

At the time of writing there are 28 six max tables running for the championship at 500NL, all rake-free.

How to Qualify for the Weekly and Grand Prizes?

Each week, five players qualify for the Sunday VIP game chosen for unique factors such as:

They receive a $1,000 credit, which serves as the buy-in for the exclusive VIP game.

These action-packed, rake-free cash games bring mid-stakes legends together for prestige and huge profits.

CoinPoker will review the biggest pots and most interesting hands on its social media using its new hand replayer.

No rake, just glory!

The Mid-Stakes Cash Game World Championship hits @CoinPoker_OFF on June 1

Grind $500 NL for a $15K Rolex, $10K cash, and the world championship!

Starts soon. You in? pic.twitter.com/pUOOvMClQB

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) May 30, 2025

What Can You Win?

Climb the Mid-Stakes Cash Game World Championship leaderboard and unlock exclusive rewards every week.

Five players get a $1,000 buy-in to a 7-handed high-stakes VIP Game every Sunday featuring two VIP players.

After four weeks, the leaderboard winner takes home an exclusive Rolex worth $15,000. In addition to that, the top 6 share an additional $10,000 in cash:

Grand Finale: An Exclusive Rolex and Eternal Bragging Rights

After four weeks of nonstop action, the player with the highest overall EV and more than 20,000 hands played will be crowned the Mid Stakes Cash Game World Champion.

The winner will walk away with an exclusive Rolex worth $15,000.

Save The Date

The CoinPoker Mid Stakes Cash Game World Championship will run over four weeks from June 1st to June 28th.

The special rake-free 500NL tables run 24/7, giving players the flexibility to grind whenever they like.

How to Get Started

Joining the rake-free cash game action is easy:

  1. Register: Create your CoinPoker account.
  2. Download: Install the CoinPoker app on your device.
  3. Deposit: Fund your account with fiat, USDT, USDC, CHP, ETH, BTC, MATIC, BNB or SOL.
  4. Welcome Bonus: Claim your 150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000.
  5. Play: Jump into the rake-free NL500 tables and start climbing the leaderboard.

Previous Cash Game Championship

If you missed the high stakes championship – won by Owen ‘PR0DIGY’ Messere – here’s a quick highlight video and a teaser of what to expect this month:

Subscribe to the CoinPoker YouTube channel and ambassador Bobby James’ channel for all the latest highlights if you miss any of the live streams.

About CoinPoker

Launched in 2017, CoinPoker is the world’s premier crypto poker site, offering provably fair gameplay, zero rake options, and instant crypto transactions.

With over $17 million in proof of reserves and fiat support in more than 25 countries, CoinPoker delivers a secure, seamless, and community-driven poker experience.

Join a community of over 100,000 poker players, including rich crypto whales, making for some very soft games.

Benefit from high-value promotions and 33% rakeback, while enjoying transparent and secure blockchain-based online poker.

Also stay connected with CoinPoker on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive offers, and join the Discord Channel to get the latest news and insider updates.

Run It Once Training has launched a new series of Mini Courses, a compelling addition to its Elite membership offering.

These bite-sized, yet highly targeted, learning modules are designed to help players shore up key weaknesses in their game without the full time commitment of a full-length course. Each Mini Course curates essential content from Run It Once’s extensive Pro Videos library, combining it with new material from top-tier coaches to create a focused and streamlined learning experience.

Whether you’re trying to level up your red line or evolve from a passive full-ring regular into a confident heads-up table starter, these Mini Courses provide an efficient path to serious improvement.

Before we get into the review, please note that the Mini Courses are available exclusively to Run It Once Elite Members. If you’re not yet a member, be sure to use our exclusive 50% Off Monthly Elite Discount Code: CPL50 when signing up.

Red Line Mastery: Outplaying Opponents Without Showdown

The first Mini Course, Red Line Mastery, is a 10-part series presented by Elite Pro and mid-stakes crusher thejericho2. Red Line Mastery’s total runtime is approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes.

Run It Once Red Line Mastery

This course takes a myth-busting approach to one of the most misunderstood areas of poker: no-showdown winnings, also known as the red line. Far from being an exploitative or reckless style, Red Line Mastery shows that successful aggression and bluff-catching are firmly rooted in Game Theory Optimal (GTO) principles.

READ MORE: Run It Once Vision GTO Trainer Review

Thejericho2 begins by breaking down why most players struggle to maintain a positive red line. Our natural aversion to aggressive plays and thin calldowns often costs us money in spots where the solver says we must fight back. Across focused chapters on bluffing, calling, and river play, thejericho2 teaches students to embrace discomfort, recognize underbluffed spots, and wield aggression more effectively and strategically.

Later lessons take things further, with deep dives into cold 4-betting, handling opponents who overcall 4-bets, and making hero calls in tough spots. This section in particular is particularly helpful for those that appreciate real life examples and hand histories. Thejericho2 does a great job of detailing what he has dealt with against the player pool, and how he adjusts his preflop ranges to exploit these tendencies.

Thejericho2 - Red Line Mastery

The finale, “Am I Still A Nit?”, recaps the entire course while challenging students to integrate what they’ve learned into their everyday game and move forward with confidence. It’s a highly practical and eye-opening series for players leaving money on the table by playing too cautiously.

The Red Line Mastery mini course can be watched in full on Run It Once with Elite membership.

Expanding Your Range: Turning 6-Max Players Into Table Starters

The second Mini Course, Expanding Your Range, is a 9-part series crafted by heads-up NLHE specialist and Elite coach Nuno Alvarez. Expanding Your Range’s total runtime is approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Run It Once Expanding Your Range

This mini course is designed to help players used to 6-max or full ring games expand into heads-up play — a format that many shy away from, but that offers tremendous potential for learning and finding an edge against opponents.

The course kicks off with a free introductory video (see below) where Nuno makes a convincing case for why every serious NLHE player should study heads-up poker.

The rest of the Expanding Your Range mini course tackles the steep learning curve of heads up no-limit with clarity and efficiency, guiding players through its most crucial concepts, including:

We all love poker, but heads up can feel like an all new game entirely. The lessons released so far are captivating for anyone curious about the ins and outs of card games. Experienced or not, any player could benefit from watching Alvarez detail his roadmap to such a complex strategy. His commitment to diving deep into the game theory optimal choices in heads up play is enough to sink your teeth into for a full course alone.

Nuno Alvarez - Expanding Your Range

By the end of the mini course, players will not only be better equipped to open new tables with confidence but will also see their overall poker understanding elevated. These lessons transfer well into other formats, sharpening your intuition and adaptability on the felt.

Watch Expanding Your Range with Rin It Once Elite membership now.

How Much Do the Run It Once Mini Courses Cost?

As mentioned above, both Mini Courses are included with RIO Elite Membership, which costs $199.99/month.

You can cut that cost in half by signing up with our special 50% Off Monthly Elite Discount Code: CPL50

With Elite membership comes not only access to the Mini Courses, of course, but also:

Run It Once Mini Courses: A Strong Recommendation for Serious Players

The Run It Once Mini Courses are a brilliant innovation within the Elite membership model. They offer tremendous value by zeroing in on high-impact aspects of poker study and delivering them in manageable, engaging formats. Whether you’re working on developing a GTO-approved red line or expanding into the strategic beauty of heads-up NLHE, these courses are an ideal fit for players with limited time but high ambitions.

If you’re an Elite member — or thinking of becoming one — don’t miss out on these first two Mini Courses. They are among the most convenient and effective study tools available in 2025, and they might just be the spark you need to take your game to the next level.

Sign up today for Run It Once Elite membership, and be sure to utilize our special 50% Off Monthly Elite Discount Code: CPL50