Play Optimal Poker 2 Andrew Brokos

In chapter 11 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos explains how tournament-specific factors—especially antes, short effective stacks, and the non-linear value of chips—change optimal decision-making compared to cash games. Although foundational concepts (equity, range construction, polarization, board coverage, equilibrium reasoning) remain the same, tournaments introduce constraints and incentives that alter what “maximizing EV” means….

In chapter 10 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos shows how continuation betting strategy changes dramatically when the pre-flop raiser is out of position against an in-position cold caller, rather than against the big blind, and why many “standard” cbets are actually bad in these spots. 1. Big Picture: UTG vs Button Is Not…

In chapter 9 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos explains what really happens when the pre-flop raiser checks back the flop—why that isn’t an automatic green light to “attack the missed c-bet,” and how the big blind should actually build turn betting and checking ranges in this spot. Big Idea: A “Missed C-Bet” Is…

In chapter 8 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos digs into how the pre-flop raiser should continue betting the turn after his flop c-bet is called, especially on the coordinated 9♥ 7♦ 6♥ board where he didn’t start with a big flop range advantage. The core theme is how Ivan learns to use his…

In chapter 7 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos looks at how the big blind should defend on flops where she actually has the range advantage, using the 9♥ 7♦ 6♥ board as the main example. The chapter focuses on how Opal (BB) should mix calling, folding, and check-raising against Ivan’s continuation bets, and…

In chapter 6 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos examines what to do on flops where the pre-flop raiser no longer enjoys a clear range advantage, and why blindly continuation-betting these boards is a good way to get crushed by big blind check-raises. When the Pre-Flop Raiser Doesn’t Own the Board The main example…

In chapter 5 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos explains how stack-to-pot ratio (SPR) reshapes hand values, leverage, and optimal strategies, especially on the flop. He shows that once the flop is dealt, thinking only in big blinds is misleading—you must think in terms of how big the pot is relative to remaining stacks….

In chapter 4 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos expands on the concept of leverage introduced in earlier toy-game models and shows how it behaves in real no-limit hold’em situations—specifically on turn and river decisions after a flop continuation bet. The chapter uses the same K♦-8♦-8♣ scenario from Chapter 3 to illustrate how the…

In chapter 3 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos expands the framework of protection betting and semi-bluffing by showing how a player should systematically construct ranges on early streets. Using Opal’s difficult spot on the K♦ 8♦ 8♣ flop as a case study, he explains how to divide a range into calls, raises, and…

In chapter 2 of Play Optimal Poker 2, Andrew Brokos explores how protection betting and semi-bluffing function on dynamic early streets, where hand values can change dramatically and where betting decisions must account for both immediate and future outcomes. He shows that, unlike in static river situations, bets on the flop and turn often draw…