Classic MovesLimp ⇒ Entering the pot preflop by simply calling the big blind, without raising.
Open raise ⇒ Being the first player to enter the pot by raising preflop, rather than simply calling the big blind.
Limp Re-Raise ⇒ simply call the big blind pre-flop with a strong hand, then re-raise when an opponent raises behind you.
Bluff ⇒ Betting or raising with a weak hand to make a better hand fold.
Semi-bluff ⇒ betting with a hand that’s currently weak but could become strong (ex: flush draw, straight draw, overcards + backdoor).
Steal ⇒ raising before the flop from a late position (CO/BTN) in an attempt to steal the blinds when everyone has folded before you.
Continuation bet (C-bet) ⇒ after raising preflop, betting again on the flop, even if you didn’t hit it.
Check-raise ⇒ checking, letting your opponent bet, then raising them. Very effective for representing a strong hand.
Donk bet ⇒ betting immediately after the flop when your opponent was the aggressor preflop.
3-bet ⇒ raising an opponent’s preflop raise.
4-bet ⇒ re-raising a 3-bet.
Squeeze ⇒ making a large raise after a raise and one or more calls, to put pressure on multiple players.
More Advanced MovesFloat ⇒ calling a bet with a relatively weak hand on the flop with the intention of taking back the pot later if the opponent shows weakness.
Limp-jam ⇒ voluntarily entering the hand by limping pre-flop, then going all-in, usually with a strong hand or a total bluff, particularly when short-stacked.
Double barrel ⇒ betting on the flop and then continuing to bet on the turn.
Triple barrel ⇒ betting on the flop → turn → river to maintain pressure.
Overbet ⇒ betting more than the size of the pot, often to polarize your range between a very strong hand and a bluff.
Thin value bet ⇒ making a small bet with a hand that is likely better, but not strong enough to bet big.
Block bet ⇒ making a small bet to avoid having to face a large bet from an opponent.
Delayed c-bet ⇒ checking on the flop after raising preflop, then betting on the turn if the opponent checks again.
Check-back ⇒ intentionally checking a decent hand to control the pot size or induce a bet later.
Probe bet ⇒ betting on the turn after an opponent, who had raised pre-flop, has checked on the flop, in order to capitalise on their weakness and regain the initiative.
Psychological TechniquesValue betting ⇒ aiming to get paid off by weaker hands rather than simply trying to make the opponent fold.
Pot control ⇒ keeping the pot relatively small with an average hand.
Induce ⇒ giving the impression of being weak to encourage your opponent to bluff or bet.
A credible bluff ⇒ telling a story that ties in with your actions to make others believe you have a strong hand.
Balancing ⇒ using certain actions with both strong hands and bluffs to be less predictable.
Psychological patience ⇒ accepting to fold many hands without seeking to ‘turn things around’ or force action.
Exploiting tells ⇒ observing your opponent’s betting habits, timing, and reactions to adapt your play.
Exploiting habits ⇒ identifying a player’s tendencies: overpaying, bluffing too much, folding when faced with a raise, betting systematically when they have a strong hand, etc.
Choosing your battles ⇒ identifying the players against whom psychological pressure is particularly effective.
Poker isn’t just about knowing lots of moves. Strong players win mainly through their choice of starting hands, position, bet sizes, probabilities and adapting to their opponents. There is also the matter of managing one’s image at the table, for example, cultivating an image as a tight, aggressive or unpredictable player, and then capitalizing on the way opponents adapt their decisions to that image. At last the emotional control is to preventing fear, anger, euphoria or frustration from influencing your decisions. The infamous ‘tilt’ is one of the main enemies. Feel free to add to the list
