Ilya is a Liga 2 player with six years of experience in online MTTs. He graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at RSUH and writes about poker for beginners, explaining complex things in simple, clear language. In his texts, Ilya combines his personal playing experience with his professional journalism skills to help newcomers confidently get into the game.
Poker brings together different types of card games, disciplines and formats. Games are also classified by their betting structure. Let's discuss the No-Limit, Pot-Limit and Fixed-Limit formats.
Rebuy tournaments often attract players with the promise of a second chance. In practice, however, it's not that simple.
How to stay focused and avoid tilting from fatigue, even if you play at night.
We break down what to eat before and during your session to sustain peak concentration, eliminate mental fatigue, and ensure clinical decision-making at the tables.
Let's break down why sport is so important for a poker player, which types of physical activity have the best effect on concentration, and how to fit workouts into the schedule of long sessions.
How Much Tax Does a Poker Player Pay in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, Cyprus, and 5 More Locations. Rates, Thresholds, and Payment Procedures — Explained Simply.
In this article, we'll break down what pot control is, why it's needed, how the SPR metric helps with decision-making, in which situations it's worth shrinking the pot, and when trying to play it safe leads to lost profit.
The number of chips depends on several factors at once: whether you're playing cash or tournament, how many people are seated at the table, what blinds are used, and how long the playing session should be. Let's take a closer look at all these questions in this article.
In this article, we'll break down what a straddle is in poker, how it works, what types exist, why theory considers it unprofitable in the long run, and in which situations it can still be justified.
The history of playing cards spans more than 1,000 years. China, India, Persia, and Egypt all compete for the role of inventor of the deck. Let's take a closer look at the main theories.
We'll discuss card cheats of the past and present, and the methods used to combat them.
In this article we'll break down what a stack is in poker, what types there are, how short, medium, and deep stacks differ, what an effective stack is, and why it's precisely this that determines many decisions at the table.
To evaluate the quality of their preflop play and to understand opponents' ranges, professionals use statistical indicators. One of the most important among them is RFI.
Understanding how the dealer works matters not just for getting to know the rules of the game. The order of betting, determining positions at the table, the correct formation of the pot, and compliance with the rules of each hand all depend on the dealer's actions.
Let's discuss how many cards are dealt in poker and whether jokers are used in the process.
Chinese Poker Pineapple, or Open-face Chinese poker (OFC), is a card game with classic hand rankings and original rules.
The industry knows dozens of stories where an entry fee of a couple of dollars turned into a million-dollar prize. Let's discuss what a satellite is in poker and recall the most striking successes of players who came from qualifiers.
Many players underestimate the importance of the turn. For preflop there are opening hand charts, equity calculators help you figure out flop play, and on the river it's usually clear whether we're ahead or behind. The turn, meanwhile, remains an intermediate stage where it's crucial to make the most accurate decisions.
In this article we'll break down what a full house is, which full house is higher in poker, what the probability of making this combination is, and how to play it so you don't lose EV in situations where the hand seems automatically winning.
In this article, we'll break down what the river is in poker, how to correctly bet for value, when to bluff, how to react to your opponent's bets, and what mistakes beginners make on the last street.
Two Pair in Poker: Who Wins and How Not to Misjudge Your Hand Strength
Let's discuss the straight flush, its place in the hand ranking hierarchy, and how it differs from a royal flush.
Let's discuss what four of a kind is in poker and how to play it correctly.
In this article, we'll break down what a gutshot is in poker, how it differs from an open-ended straight draw, how to calculate its probabilities, and when playing it is actually justified.
Let's break down the straight in poker and its place in the hand rankings.
Let's break down what a flush means in poker. How to make this hand and its rank among the other winning combinations.
The world's top poker players earn millions of dollars every year. The leader of the 2026 overall standings — Brandon Wilson — won $5,196,247 in 3 months.
Don't understand poker slang? Our complete glossary explains 50+ key terms: from "pot" and "equity" to "the nuts" and "c-bet". Perfect for beginners.
Let's break down what a check is in poker, when it's justified, and when it turns into a loss of EV.
Equity is the foundation of all poker math. Without it, it's impossible to understand whether a call is profitable, whether a push is +EV, and why the same hand requires different decisions on different textures.
In this article we'll break down what the nuts is in poker, how it changes from flop to river, how the absolute nuts differs from the current nuts, and how to extract the maximum chips from a nut hand without scaring off your opponent or falling into a trap.
Knowing the hand rankings is the foundation on which getting acquainted with poker begins. They are exactly what determines who wins the pot at showdown, so the first thing any beginner studies is the poker hands ranked by strength.
Beginning players rarely pay attention to rake when choosing a poker room. More often they look at: the size of the first-deposit bonus, the selection of payment methods, and the loyalty program. The importance of the commission shouldn't be underestimated: a platform's excessive appetite reduces players' earnings. In this article we'll discuss: rake, methods of calculating it, and popular VIP systems.
Poker is an umbrella term for card games with similar rules. The exact number of variants is hard to count because the game is constantly evolving. The greatest audience interest is drawn by: Texas Hold'em and Omaha. In the past, draw poker and seven-card stud held the leading positions. Let's discuss the popular types of poker.
In poker, a great many mistakes start not on the river or even on the turn, but right after the first three community cards come out. A player sees the flop, notices a pair, a draw, or just a decent spot — and starts acting without figuring out how this board interacts with their range and the opponent's range.
ABI is a transition to a more disciplined and sustainable model of play. In this article, we'll talk about how to calculate your ABI and make tournament selection decisions not based on emotions, but according to a clear system.
Over the long run, results in poker depend on the player's skill. However, the legislation of many countries equates any card game with gambling entertainment. This outdated approach hinders the development and popularization of poker. Let's discuss the game's status in Russia and neighboring countries.
In recent years, regulators have been steadily tightening requirements for online play. Some countries ban online poker entirely, others introduce licensing, and still others make transactions more difficult. As a result, poker rooms either create walled-off markets or leave the market altogether. Not every state follows the path of restrictions. Some jurisdictions are friendly toward poker. Let's discuss the state of affairs in Montenegro.
Moving to another country requires careful preparation. At the initial stage, you need to gather information about the cost of living and the documents you'll need. Poker players have a wider range of questions than ordinary people. What's the legal status of gambling in the country? Do providers block popular rooms? Where can you play live poker? In this article, we discuss relocating to Georgia and answer these questions.
Since its invention, poker had been considered an exclusively male game. The situation changed at the start of the new millennium. The internet made the card game accessible. Popular television shows such as Poker After Dark also made a big contribution to promoting poker. Gradually, women began not just to take part in major tournaments, but to win them. Let's discuss the most successful female poker players of today.
Almost every player has a moment when poker stops feeling like a set of rules and starts being perceived as a profession. We begin to play with discipline, get to grips with the logic of betting, optimal playing strategies, and expect that the quality of our decisions will fairly quickly turn into a clear financial result.
In poker, we often think that results come down to strategy, discipline, and hand analysis. That's true, but there's another important aspect — physical comfort.
No-Limit Texas Hold'em is the most popular card game in the world. NL Hold'em owes its leading position to its simple rules. However, other poker variants are worth your attention too. Let's talk about Omaha Hi-Lo.
No-Limit Texas Hold'em is the leading card game of the past few decades. The industry's biggest live tournaments are played under NL Holdem rules. Hold'em also dominates the lobbies of online rooms. However, other poker variants deserve attention too. Let's discuss the rules of Pot-Limit Omaha. We'll look at the platforms where you can play it.
Poker is an umbrella term for several card games: Texas Hold'em, Omaha, draw poker, stud. Each poker variation also has its own internal hierarchy. Players are offered a choice of several disciplines: cash, tournaments, and Spin & Go. In the past, Sit & Go stood alongside them. Let's discuss Sit n Go tournaments in more detail.
Backing is one of the most common formats of collaboration in professional poker. It allows players to move up to higher stakes without risking their own bankroll, and investors to earn a steady return.
Every poker player focused on long-term profit inevitably arrives at the need for systematic training. Without developing skills and understanding strategy, a stable improvement in the quality of play over the long run is impossible.
Poker is an umbrella term for various card games. It encompasses: Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Badugi, and Draw Poker. Sometimes local versions of casino games, like Russian Poker, are also counted among them. Let's discuss it in more detail.
The first games of chance were invented in Ancient Egypt 5,500 years ago. Millennia of gambling evolution shaped the modern casino. Gambling venues offer dozens of games of chance: roulette, slots, baccarat, craps, keno, poker. Blackjack holds a special place among them. Let's discuss basic blackjack strategy.
What is Seven Card Stud? How does a hand play out in Seven Card Stud? We explain in this article.
Modern online poker offers a wide choice of games, disciplines, and formats. Players have access to Hold'em, Omaha, Chinese poker, and Short Deck. Some platforms offer the chance to play Badugi and Stud. Among the disciplines there's less variety: most of the audience prefers cash and tournaments. The latter also include Spin&Go. Let's discuss them in more detail.
Poker is an umbrella term for various card games. It brings together Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, Razz, Badugi, Short Deck, and other game variations. Each of them has spawned its own offshoots. The brightest example is Omaha, with its Pot-Limit, five-card, six-card, and Hi-Lo versions. Draw poker is also included among them. Let's discuss the rules of the game from the Westerns.
In No-Limit Texas Hold'em, there are situations where two or more players make equally strong combinations. In such cases, no one wins the entire pot — it's split between the participants. This is called a split pot.
If you remove antes and blinds from poker, the game quickly turns into an endless exchange of checks — everyone would just wait for perfect cards and never put chips in voluntarily.
Technological progress has made poker accessible. In the past, to play you had to travel to a casino or organize the game yourself. Now any smartphone with internet opens the door to poker. You can get your first experience through: smartphone and social media apps, computer games, and online poker rooms. Let's discuss how to get acquainted with poker for free.
Poker is a game where mathematical strategy and chance go hand in hand. Even a perfectly played hand sometimes ends in defeat, while a win can come at a moment when the odds were minimal. This is exactly how variance manifests — the deviation of your actual result from what you expect over the long run. Understanding variance helps you avoid tilt, stay motivated, and make decisions with a clear head. In this article, we'll break down in simple terms what variance and a downswing are, why they happen even to professional players, and what to do so that a losing streak doesn't throw you off balance.
What is the "Dead Man's Hand" (AA88)? The story of Wild Bill Hickok, who died holding this combination. We also break down what a "Dead Hand" means and how to avoid falling into the trap of having zero outs.
How does Short Deck Poker differ from Texas Holdem? How do you adapt your strategy to the short deck? We explain in this article.
What poker books are worth reading? Which methods of learning the game work best? We tell you in this article.
How can a beginner protect their bankroll? Which rules will help you avoid losing all your money? We explain in this article.
You don't need to make a deposit to get acquainted with poker. You can take your first steps in the game for free.
The complete hardware guide for multi-tabling. Which processor you need for a fast HUD, why 16 GB of RAM is the minimum, and which monitor to choose to play 10+ tables comfortably.
A complete breakdown of poker software: from trackers (Hand2Note, PT4) to GTO solvers (GTO Wizard) and calculators. Learn what the pros use to gain an edge.
Looking for free alternatives to Flopzilla or Hand2Note? We cover three must-have programs for beginners that will help you analyze hands and build ranges without a subscription.
Learn how to calculate expected value (EV) and return on investment (ROI) in poker. Formulas, calculation examples, and tables for assessing the profitability of your game.
Tired of chaotic poker training with no results? Learn how to build a step-by-step system.
Learn a winning C-bet strategy in poker from scratch. We break down the right bet sizes, suitable situations, and beginner mistakes when c-betting on the flop.
Cash vs MTT: Key Differences Between Two Poker Disciplines
How to Choose a Poker Room in 2026: A Guide to Bonuses, Traffic, and Security
A complete guide to player types in poker. Learn what VPIP and PFR are, how to identify a nit, a recreational player, or a regular at the table, and how to exploit their weaknesses for maximum profit.
Why is position in poker more important than your cards? A complete guide for beginners: we break down early and late positions, learn to use the button, and turn your seat at the table into profit.
A royal flush — every poker player's ultimate dream. What are the odds of making one? And how should you act if it happens?
Expert breakdown of the four-color deck. How reducing cognitive load directly impacts the analysis of combinatorics, board texture, and winrate when multitabling.
Want to learn how to play Texas Hold'em? Our complete guide explains all the rules from A to Z in 10 minutes. Perfect for beginners!
Bankroll management rules for cash and MTT. Find out how many buy-ins you need for your stakes to survive variance and grow in poker.
What is the board in poker and how to "read" it? A complete guide for beginners: we break down board types (drawy, dry, paired), learn to choose a strategy, and avoid common mistakes.
A complete guide to charts in poker. Learn how to "read" starting hand tables, make correct preflop decisions, and lay the foundation for a winning strategy.
