For this Valentine’s weekend, get your honey-bunny out of the house with a lovely gift… then take poker action!

These 3 essential daily actions will increase your profitability, even during busy holiday weekends.

Listen to episode #585 as you follow along below:

Action #1: Tag Every Opponent by Player Type (Within 20 Hands)

The Goal: Develop a habit of reading opponents quickly and accurately before they’ve seen 20 hands at your table.

What to Watch:

• Preflop statistics (VPIP, PFR).
• Preflop tendencies: raising, limping, calling, folding frequency.
• Specific actions: 3betting, limp-raising, limp-folding.
• Post-flop patterns: check-calling frequency, cbetting, check-raising, calling down multiple streets, folding on early streets.

Critical Mindset Shift: You don’t need perfect information or hundreds of hands. Tag their player type early based on observation, then adjust your read as more hands develop.

Application Examples:

• Loose passive player check-raises 5x on the turn >>> They have a monster (flush/straight that just completed)
• Tight aggressive player calls twice on a dry board >>> They likely have a solid pair; be careful bluffing the river
• Loose aggressive player just calls instead of three-betting on the button >>> Likely weak; could fold to a squeeze

Result: Better reads lead to better decisions, faster decision-making, and increased confidence in your plays.

Action #2: Table Select for Profits

The Question: Are you actively seeking profitable tables, or just accepting whatever seat the site gives you?

Target Identification: Loose passive calling stations (fish) are your most profitable opponents.

Table Evaluation Guidelines:

• Great table: 5 fish at your table >>> Stay and maximize profit.
• Poor table: 5 tight/loose aggressive regulars >>> Even if you’re equally skilled, profit potential is lower.
• Minimum standard: Find tables with at least 2 fish.

Action Step: Don’t settle for tables with zero or one fish. Only play at tables with two or more weak players.

Why It Matters: Table selection directly impacts your win rate. Playing against weaker competition is more profitable than battling tough regulars, even when your skill level is comparable.

Action #3: Be Willing to Fold

Core Mindset: “I can fold today” – Put it on a sticky note. This isn’t playing scared; it’s playing smart.

Common Leaks to Address:

• Overplaying overpairs (pocket Aces, Kings, Queens).
• Being too attached to top pair/top kicker (AK on Ace-high or King-high boards).
• Refusing to release premium hands when the turn/river clearly helps opponent’s range.

Tactical Reminders:

1. Hands off the mouse between big decisions, especially as pots grow and whenever holding premium pairs or top pair/top kicker.
2. Always ask: “What’s he doing this with?”
   • When they check-call.
   • When they check-raise.
   • When they donk bet large.
   • Consider their range, how it interacts with the board.
3. If it feels like a money-losing spot, just fold, regardless of how strong your preflop hand was.

Specific Fold Scenarios:

• Overpair with no blockers, board shows three to a flush and three to a straight, facing a 2.5x check-raise >>> Fold
• Flopped a set, value barreled, facing a huge raise on a four-to-a-straight river >>> Get out
• Big pair or top pair/top kicker, but genuinely uncertain if calling or folding is correct >>> Default to folding

The Truth: Folding well, leaving unprofitable spots, and saving chips isn’t weakness… it’s a long-term profit skill.

Remember: 

A big blind saved is a big blind earned.

Happy Valentine’s Day!