Avoiding just a few critical mistakes could be the key to unlocking your win rate at the poker table. In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up podcast, Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood break down the three biggest leaks that crush players at low stakes—and how to fix them.

Get instant access to the new Lab 2.0

View the written version of this episode

00:00 Mistake #1 – Playing Too Passively

02:03 Mistake #2 – Missing Thin Value Bets

08:06 Mistake #3 – Calling with Bluff Catchers

12:52 Bonus Mistake – Playing While Tilted

In this episode, host Mike Brady and Scottish poker professional Gary Blackwood dive into the three biggest mistakes players make at the table and how to avoid them. The discussion is packed with real-world examples, hand breakdowns, and actionable insights that will help listeners sharpen their skills and maximize their win rate. This poker strategy podcast emphasizes practical advice for low- and mid-stakes players who often find themselves bleeding chips due to preventable errors.

Mistake #1 – Playing Too Passive:

Gary stresses the importance of aggression, especially preflop. Passive play, such as calling too frequently with marginal hands, leads to long-term losses. Good players lean into three-bets and apply pressure, rather than limping along and giving away equity. The key takeaway is simple: tighten your ranges and stay aggressive to keep opponents uncomfortable.

Mistake #2 – Not Value Betting Thinly Enough:

The heart of poker profitability lies in value betting, and Gary points out that many players restrict themselves to betting only with top pair or better. Through detailed hand examples, he illustrates why second pair, bottom pair, and even ace-high can often justify a small river bet. Mike reinforces this by showing how thin value bets, especially when properly sized, can significantly boost a player’s overall earnings. Integrating these small but consistent value spots is one of the fastest ways to raise your win rate.

Mistake #3 – Overcalling Bluff Catchers Against Non-Bluffers:

Perhaps the most costly leak in low-stakes poker is calling down opponents who rarely bluff. Bluff catchers, by definition, only beat bluffs—and against players who underbluff, these hands quickly become money burners. Gary explains why disciplined folds, even with seemingly strong holdings like top pair or two pair, are often the correct play. The lesson here is about opponent profiling: against players who lean nitty and conservative, folding is a weapon.

Bonus Mistake – Playing on Tilt:

To round things off, Mike and Gary highlight the dangers of playing emotionally compromised. A single tilt-induced mistake can wipe out hours of grinding. Taking a walk, doing breathing exercises, or even leaving the session entirely can save hundreds of big blinds over time.

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that small adjustments in discipline, mindset, and aggression can drastically change long-term results. This poker strategy podcast serves as both a warning against common pitfalls and a roadmap to playing more profitable, confident poker. Whether you’re chasing incremental edges or simply trying to avoid costly errors, the episode offers concrete strategies that can be applied instantly to your game.

Get instant access to the new Lab 2.0 now.

Learn how to stay calm and make smarter decisions when your poker hands take unexpected turns. The world’s best poker coach, Uri Peleg, gives you practical strategies and mindset shifts to quickly reevaluate, adapt, and protect your bankroll in tough situations.

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 Hand Example Breakdown

01:47 Range vs. Hand Thinking

03:21 Betting Structures and Exploits

04:28 Adapting When Plans Change

05:58 Reassessing Hand Strength in Action

In this poker strategy podcast, Mike Brady and elite coach Uri Peleg explore one of the most important but overlooked skills in poker: knowing what to do when hands don’t go as planned. Every player has experienced the frustration of seeing a strong starting hand or a favorable flop turn into a tough spot after unexpected action, but Uri breaks down how to handle these moments with clarity and confidence. Using a real hand example and practical analogies, he shows how focusing on your range rather than just your hand strength leads to smarter decisions and prevents costly mistakes.

Listeners will learn how to adjust betting strategies, recognize when their plan is no longer working, and quickly reevaluate based on changing dynamics. This poker strategy podcast also dives into the importance of flexibility — whether it’s shifting from aggression to caution, or accepting that folding a big hand can sometimes be the most profitable move. By reframing these situations as opportunities to adapt rather than failures, players gain a mental edge that carries across every stage of the game.

If you’ve ever struggled with letting go of a strong-looking hand or found yourself stubbornly sticking to a plan that no longer makes sense, this poker strategy podcast delivers the perspective shift you need. Whether you’re a beginner working through the basics or a seasoned grinder aiming for mastery, you’ll come away with actionable insights to stay calm, stay sharp, and keep your bankroll protected when the game throws you curveballs.

Click here to get 25% off Lab 2.0 to celebrate launch week!

Discount starts September 8th and expires September 12th.

The world's best poker coach, Uri Peleg, is here to help you destroy the players in your games. He's collected 7 real hands, each of which demonstrates a key hole in the opponent's game at showdown.

First, he'll talk about how to identify and note such mistakes. Then, he'll give you the specific tactic you can use to counter this player every time you're up against them.

Live coaching webinars like this will be a weekly feature inside of Lab 2.0. Get sneak peeks and learn more here.

Want a sneak peek at the Lab 2.0, coming to Upswing Poker on September 8th? Register here for early access.

The world's best poker coach, Uri Peleg, shares his five best strategies for dominating soft games. Alongside co-host Mike Brady, he breaks down how to exploit common mistakes without falling into the same traps. Whether you play live or low-stakes online, these tips will help you maximize value and boost your win rate.

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 Tip #1: Categorize Players

08:46 Tip #2: Adjust for Multiway Pots

15:20 Tip #3: Check Your Ego

19:55 Tip #4: Bad Play Doesn’t Always Benefit You

23:04 Tip #5: Overplay the Top of Your Range

28:29 Bonus Tip: Don’t Copy Bad Habits

In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up, host Mike Brady is joined by world-class poker coach Uri Peleg to share five powerful tips for dominating soft games, whether live or low-stakes online. Uri, who has coached some of the best players in the game and won millions himself, opens by stressing the importance of categorizing opponents to quickly identify calling stations, over-aggressors, and passive players. From there, the discussion moves to one of the most common features of soft games—multiway pots—and how to adapt by tightening up, folding more marginal hands, and resisting the urge to chase every pot.

Uri’s next tip tip focuses on controlling ego and avoiding tilt. In soft games, variance can mask skill in the short term, and chasing losses often leads to disastrous results. He emphasizes patience, discipline, and judging your play based on decision quality rather than short-term outcomes. Next up he flips a common assumption on its head—just because an opponent makes a bad play doesn’t mean it benefits you. Some mistakes, like over-raising or over-calling, can actually hurt your win rate if you don’t adjust strategically.

The final and most important tip is to overplay the top of your range against unpredictable opponents. In soft games, players often act randomly or inconsistently, so hands like overpairs or top pair/top kicker should be pushed aggressively for maximum value instead of overthinking and making cautious folds.

As a bonus, Uri warns against copying the bad habits of weaker players. Just because others limp or splash around with subpar hands doesn’t mean you should follow suit—it erodes your edge and invites unnecessary losses.

Throughout the episode, Uri ties these lessons to the upcoming Lab 2.0 training platform (available soon), which focuses on practical, real-world strategies for crushing live and soft games. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to refine your approach or a low-stakes grinder aiming to boost your win rate, these insights will help you exploit weaker competition while avoiding common pitfalls.

Sneak peek from Lab 2.0, coming to Upswing Poker on September 8th. Register for early access here.

The world's best poker coach, Uri Peleg, walks you through numerous hand examples and shares key insights for playing Pocket Kings. He positions the question "how should you play pocket kings" as a philosophical one that touches deep into something beautiful about the game of poker.

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 The Philosophy of Playing Pocket Kings

02:56 Reevaluating Hand Strength Post-Flop

05:46 Overview of Lab 2.0 and Learning Path

06:13 Pot Control with Marginal Boards

08:50 Maximizing Value Against Loose Opponents

09:50 Playing Strong Hands on Dynamic Boards

In this poker strategy podcast, world-class coach Uri Peleg takes you deep into the art of playing Pocket Kings — one of the most exciting yet misunderstood hands in No-Limit Hold’em. Pulled from Upswing Poker’s Lab 2.0 course, this episode blends philosophy, strategy, and real hand breakdowns to show why Kings, while a preflop powerhouse, require constant reevaluation once the flop hits. Uri explores scenarios against skilled opponents, revealing how the board texture, betting patterns, and player tendencies can transform a monster hand into a marginal bluff-catcher — or the nuts into a value-shoving machine.

Listeners will follow along as Uri navigates dream flops, dangerous turns, and tricky rivers, explaining when to push for big pots, when to pot-control, and when to get out of the way. You’ll hear hands where Kings crush opponents for massive stacks, as well as spots where restraint saves your tournament life or bankroll. Along the way, Uri drops mindset gems, reminding players to shed emotional attachment to “premium” hands and focus on situational value instead.

This poker strategy podcast also introduces you to the Lab 2.0 learning path, designed to meet players at their current skill level and guide them toward mastery through tailored lessons. Whether you’re a beginner hoping to avoid common pitfalls or an experienced grinder looking to sharpen your decision-making, this poker strategy podcast will arm you with both the technical skills and mental discipline to handle Kings — and countless other hands — with confidence. If you’re serious about improving your game, this poker strategy podcast is your ticket to turning knowledge into profit.

Learn how to turn a single showdown into a strategic advantage at the poker table.

In this episode, Mike and Gary break down five real-world hand scenarios and reveal powerful counter-strategies to exploit common player types—ranging from over-bluffers to under-value bettors. If you’re ready to level up your poker reads and punish your opponents' mistakes, this one’s for you.

Sign up for the Upswing Lab to follow a clear, structured path to poker improvement.

Sharpen your solver fundamentals by joining the Lucid Poker GTO Trainer.

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 Introduction to Opponent Exploitation

01:16 Sizing Up with Strong Hands

02:39 Loose Preflop Calls

03:40 Donking with One Pair

06:29 Facing an Overbluffer

11:36 Passive Players and Missed Value

12:30 Wrap-Up and Lab 2.0 Tease

In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up poker strategy podcast, Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood dive into one of the most underrated tools in your poker arsenal: the power of a single showdown. They explore how observing just one hand at showdown can give you a massive edge against your opponents—if you know how to interpret it correctly. Through five detailed hand examples, the duo breaks down how to spot key player tendencies and then exploit them ruthlessly in future hands.

The show kicks off with a reminder that player behavior often has patterns—but not always—so while one showdown can reveal a lot, multiple showdowns are even better. That said, even one hand can provide enough insight to expose a player’s habits.

Hand #1 features a player who sizes up their preflop raise with strong hands, signaling a predictable pattern you can punish by tightening up against large raises and ramping up aggression against standard sizes.

In Hand #2, Mike and Gary analyze a loose caller who shows down junky hands like K7 offsuit and J9 offsuit in spots where tighter ranges are mandatory. The adjustment? Raise bigger preflop and exploit their bloated, weak ranges postflop with aggressive continuation betting and double barreling.

Hand #3 covers the infamous "donk bettor"—players who lead out inappropriately from the big blind on dry boards. These players are easy to read: when they check, they’re often weak, giving you permission to go into bluff mode.

Hand #4 introduces the "serial bluffer"—the kind of player who can’t resist betting flop, turn, and river with air. The key exploit? Out of position check-raise your strong hands early to build the pot. In position, trap with hands that can take heat. Mike even references a complementary video on Lucid Poker’s YouTube channel that expands on this exact concept, reinforcing the episode’s focus on applying theory to real-world opponents.

Finally, Hand #5 wraps things up with a look at passive players who fail to value bet thinly enough. These opponents can often be overfolded against when they show aggression and should be treated cautiously when you're considering a thin value bet.

Packed with practical advice and counter-strategies, this poker strategy podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to move beyond generic advice and start making razor-sharp adjustments based on real player behavior. If you’re serious about becoming more exploitative and maximizing EV, this is the poker strategy podcast episode that will help you get there.

Every hand begins with preflop play, so making correct decisions is critically important. Upswing Poker VP Mike Brady and Scottish poker pro Gary Blackwood share five actionable tips that you can use to elevate your game and take advantage of your opponent's mistakes!

Join the Upswing Poker Lab and check out the Low Stakes Launch Pad course. Make sure to use promo code LEVELUP when you sign up and you'll receive $50 off!

Subscribe to the Lucid Poker GTO Trainer

View the episode transcription

00:00 Tip 1: Tighten Your Big Blind Defense

01:57 Tip 2: Big Blind Three-Bet Strategy

06:30 Tip 3: Adjusting Ranges Based on Opponents

10:35 Tip 4: Tighten Up in High Rake Environments

12:43 Tip 5: Aggression Over Passivity

15:11 Announcement: Low Stakes Launch Pad

Ready to take your poker game to the next level? In this week’s poker strategy podcast, Upswing Poker VP Mike Brady teams up with Scottish poker pro Gary Blackwood to deliver five essential tips for mastering preflop play. Whether you're an aspiring pro or a recreational player, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to plug leaks in your game and exploit your opponent's weaknesses.

The duo begins by addressing one of the most common leaks in poker: over-defending the big blind. With practical advice on hand selection and leveraging position, they help you save valuable big blinds in the long run.

Next, they dive into the art of the big blind three-bet, showcasing how an aggressive and calculated approach can dominate opponents in both theory-based and exploitative scenarios.

As the podcast progresses, you’ll learn the importance of adjusting your ranges based on the players at your table. Whether you're up against loose-passive recreational players or aggressive pros, adaptability is key to staying ahead of the competition.

Gary and Mike also explore the impact of high rake environments, emphasizing tighter ranges and smarter calls to maximize profitability.

Closing out the episode, the hosts discuss the benefits of aggressive play and how erring on the side of aggression can turn the tide in your favor, especially in low stakes games. As they say, the best players are the ones who keep their opponents uncomfortable, and this poker strategy podcast teaches you exactly how to do that.

They also announce the Low Stakes Launch Pad course, designed to provide foundational strategies for beating low stakes games. Available now in the Upswing Poker Lab, this course is a must-have for serious players.