Ultimate Poker Cheat Sheet: Downloadable PDF and Printable
Hiya, poker players! If you want to upgrade your game, do we have something for you? What is it, you ask? Only the ultimate poker cheat sheet! It’s loaded with all of the strategies, tips, and charts that will help you no matter what stage of play you’re at.
Newbie? This will teach you everything you need to know. Experienced? You might learn a few new things. Whatever kind of player you are, our guide was made to be your go-to resource. Plus, it’s a downloadable PDF so that you can sneak a peek during your games. Ready to go all in? We bet! Let’s goooo!
Download our Poker Cheat Sheet PDF
Poker Basics
Every single person who has mastered something started out as a beginner, and poker is the same way. If you begin with the basics, you can lay the favorite for the smartest plays in no time flat!
Hand Rankings
Okay, so hand rankings are fundamental in the game of poker—below is a basic breakdown from highest to lowest:
| Rank | Hand Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Royal Flush | A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit |
2 | Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of the same suit |
3 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same rank |
4 | Full House | Three of a kind combined with a pair |
5 | Flush | Any five cards of the same suit (not consecutive) |
6 | Straight | Five consecutive cards of mixed suits |
7 | Three-of-a-Kind | Three cards of the same rank |
8 | Two Pair | Two different pairs |
9 | One Pair | Two cards of the same rank |
10 | High Card | The highest card when no other hands are made |
Poker Variants
Poker comes in a lot of flavors—there’s bound to be something for every kind of player! You could be drawn to the drama of Texas Hold’em or the strategy of Omaha, but rest assured, there’s a version for everyone, so you need to familiarize yourself with the most popular poker variants!
- Texas Hold’em: Each player receives two private cards, and five community cards are dealt face-up. Players aim to make the best five-card hand using any combination.
- Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold’em, but players receive four private cards and must use exactly two, along with three of the five community cards, to form their hand.
- Seven-Card Stud: Players receive seven cards throughout the hand—three down and four up. The goal is to make the best five-card hand without community cards.
- Five-Card Draw: Players are dealt five private cards and have the opportunity to exchange a number of them for new ones to make the best hand.
- Short Deck (Six-Plus Hold’em): Played like Texas Hold’em but with a 36-card deck (twos through fives removed), altering hand probabilities and strategies.
Table Positions
You might not realize it, but your position at the poker table really does have an influence on your strategy:
- Early Position (UTG, UTG+1): First to act post-flop; requires stronger hands due to limited information.
- Middle Position: Offers a balance; you have some information but still need caution.
- Late Position (Cutoff, Button): Most advantageous; acting last provides insight into opponents’ intentions.
- Blinds (Small Blind, Big Blind): Forced bets; post-flop play can be really challenging due to position.
Common Poker Terms
Poker table talk can sound like a different language that you do NOT speak to the untrained ear—the following are the terms you need to know so you aren’t totally lost!
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Pot | The total amount of chips bet in a hand. |
Pot Odds | The ratio of the current pot to the cost of a contemplated call. |
Implied Odds | The estimated potential future winnings if a drawing hand improves. |
Equity | Your share of the pot is based on the probability of winning. |
Flop, Turn, River | The first three, fourth, and fifth community cards dealt, respectively. |
Check, Bet, Raise, Fold, Call | Actions players can take during their turn. |
Tight, Aggressive, Loose | Descriptors of playing styles: tight players play fewer hands, loose players play more, and aggressive players frequently bet or raise. |
Value Bet | Betting with a strong hand to extract chips from opponents. |
C-bet, 3-bet, 4-bet | Continuation bet (betting after being the pre-flop aggressor), re-raise, and subsequent re-raise, respectively. |
Tilt | An emotional state that causes poor decision-making, usually after a bad beat. |
Range | The possible hands an opponent might have based on their actions. |
Bluff | Betting or raising with a weak hand to induce opponents to fold stronger hands. |
Slow Play | Playing a strong hand passively to lure opponents into betting. |
Pre-Flop Strategy
What happens before the flop will set the mood for the entire hand. If you play your cards right here? You’ll be sitting pretty.
Starting Hand Selection
Some hands are worth a big bet, and others? Eh, not so much—they are best left alone. Below, we figure out which ones are deserving of your chips!
| Position | Premium Hands | Playable Hands |
|---|---|---|
Early Position | AA, KK, QQ, AK (s) | JJ, TT, AQ (s), AJ (s) |
Middle Position | Above + AQ, KQ (s) | 99, 88, AT (s), KJ (s) |
Late Position | Above + A9, KJ | Suited connectors (T9, 98, 87) |
Small/Big Blinds | Above | Steal with broadways and suited cards |
Legend:– s = suited
– o = offsuit
Bet Sizing Pre-Flop
Betting is about balance—too small? You are asking for trouble; too big? You could scare off your opponents. Here’s how to find the perfect range.
- Standard Open Raise: 2.5x to 3x the big blind.
- Late Position: Adjust to 2.2x to 2.5x to steal blinds effectively.
- Adjusting for Table Dynamics: In tighter games, smaller raises may suffice; in looser games, larger raises can thin the field.
Blind Stealing
Snatching up blinds is a bold move—possibly even reckless—but when it’s done right? It’s a really clever way to pad your stack. We’ll walk you through when and how to make your move.
- When to Steal: When opponents in the blinds are tight and likely to fold.
- How to Steal: Use small, strategic raises in late positions (Cutoff or Button) to pressure the blinds into folding. Opt for hands with some potential, like suited connectors or high cards, in case the steal is called.
Defending Against Steals:Be super aware of overly aggressive players who are attempting blind steals. Re-raise with stronger hands or defend with hands like suited Aces or medium pairs.
Post-Flop Strategy
The flop is where the drama is, but it’s all up to you to play your cards with precision. A well-executed post-flop plan can turn the tide in your favor!
Reading the Board
The board is basically like a puzzle—once you know how to read it, you’ll be able to see any chances (and possible trouble) much easier!
- Wet Boards: These contain cards that enable multiple drawing possibilities (e.g., 8♣ 9♣ 10♠). Be cautious, as opponents could have a flush or straight draw.
- Dry Boards: Unconnected and low-ranking cards (e.g., 2♠ 7♦ J♣). These favor strong hands like pairs or top pairs.
Adapt your bets based on how well the board complements your opponents’ likely range.
Continuation Betting (C-Betting)
C-betting is not only a default move—it’s a chance to stay in control and keep the pressure on. It’s aggressive, and, as with most things, timing is everything.
- When to C-Bet: On dry boards or when heads-up.
- When to Check: On wet boards or multi-way pots.
- Sizing Tips: Bet 50%-70% of the pot. Use smaller bets on dry boards and larger bets on coordinated ones to discourage drawing hands.
Playing Draws
Is chasing draws a slippery slope? Maybe! But if you have the right odds and strategy, it’s a calculated risk that is definitely worth taking!
- Pot Odds: Use this quick calculation to assess if calling is profitable. For example, if the pot is $100, and you must call $25, your pot odds are 4:1.
- Semi-Bluffing: Bet aggressively with strong draws (e.g., flush or open-ended straight draws) to gain fold equity while still having outs to improve.
Bluffing Basics
Bluffing is indeed an art form, but it always works best under certain conditions like the following.
Ideal Situations:
- Opponents are passive or easily intimidated.
- The board texture supports your story (e.g., a flush hits the river).
- Balance Bluffs with Value Bets: Avoid becoming predictable; mix bluffs into your value bets to keep opponents guessing.
Value Betting
You can get the most chips from weaker hands by betting strategically—this is where it all adds up. You want to milk the most out of your best hands without scaring off the competition.
- Sizing: Bet enough to get called by worse hands, but not so much that they fold.
- Key Tip: Gauge opponents’ tendencies—tight players may fold more, while loose ones are likelier to call.
Advanced Strategies
Want to play like Luke Jackson in Cool Hand Luke? There are some more advanced tactics that can polish your poker approach and leave your opponents wondering how they got snookered (we can’t promise you’ll look as cool as Paul Newman, though. Sorry about that).
Table Image and Exploitation
Your table image is your personal calling card, so use it to your advantage! You can manipulate how others play against you, as your perceived play style influences opponents’ reactions—big time.
- Establishing an Image: Play a mix of tight and loose hands to keep others guessing.
- Exploiting Opponents: Target predictable players—bluff tight ones and value bet against loose ones.
Range Construction
Understanding ranges is almost like being able to see your opponent’s cards without peeking (seriously, never do that). It’s a tool that separates the casual players from the strategists.
Think about the hands your opponents might possibly have based on their actions:
- Balanced Ranges: Mix strong and speculative hands to avoid being predictable.
- Unbalanced Ranges: Use against weaker players who won’t notice patterns.
Multi-Way Pots
The more players who are in the pot means the more chaos there is—but it also opens up a lot of new angles for strategy!
- Tighter Play: Bluff less and play hands with higher equity.
- Bet Carefully: Focus on hands that are likely to dominate as bluffing gets riskier.
GTO vs. Exploitative Play
Balancing GTO principles with exploitative tactics is the hallmark of a strong player—the following is how you can adapt to the table’s whole dynamic.
- Game Theory Optimal (GTO): A balanced approach that’s unexploitable but doesn’t maximize profits against weaker players.
- Exploitative Play: Adapt to opponents’ tendencies for higher gains. For example, if someone folds often to raises, bluff them more!
Bankroll Management
Your bankroll is a stack of chips, and that stack is your ticket to stay in the game. Handle it wisely, and you’ll keep yourself in the action for longer! How? Set limits to protect your funds!
- Stick to poker games with 20-50 buy-ins for the stakes.
- Don’t chase losses or move up stakes too early.
Expert Tips
The difference between an okay player and a great one usually comes down to the little things. Want some tips that will keep you ahead in the game? Look below!
- Online vs. Live Poker: Online play requires faster decisions and technical tools, while live poker emphasizes reading physical tells.
- Recognizing Tilt: Be super mindful of emotional triggers and take breaks to reset.
Opponent Types– Loose-Aggressive: Trap them with strong hands.
– Tight-Aggressive: Avoid risky plays; focus on premium hands.
– Calling Stations: Bet big with strong value hands.
– Nits: Bluff sparingly; they fold to aggression.
Quick Reference Charts
You might not be able to look at these charts while you’re in the middle of a poker game, but they are great cheat sheets to have handy!
| Scenario | Odds (%) to Improve by Next Card |
|---|---|
Open-Ended Straight Draw | ~17% |
Flush Draw | ~19% |
Inside (Gutshot) Straight Draw | ~8.5% |
One Pair to Two Pair or Trips | ~12% |
| Pot | Odds | Table |
|---|---|---|
Bet Size ($) | Pot Size ($) | Pot Odds |
25 | 100 | 4:1 |
50 | 100 | 2:1 |
75 | 100 | 1.33:1 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the pro poker players can mess up, and if they can make mistakes, that means everyone else is in trouble! If you want to evade the classic poker “no-nos,” don’t do the following things:
- Overplaying Hands: Know when to fold.
- Ignoring Position: Acting last is a huge advantage.
- Excessive Bluffing: Stay selective—don’t overdo it.
- Bankroll Mismanagement: Stick to your limits.
- Playing Emotionally: Take breaks if frustration builds.
Resources for Further Learning
No matter how good you really are (or think you are), there’s always room to get better and learn! If you want to ante up your poker game, check out the following books, tools, and communities!
- Books: “The Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky, “Harrington on Hold’em” by Dan Harrington.
- Videos: YouTube channels like “PokerCoaching” or “UpswingPoker.”
- Communities: Reddit’s r/poker and Two Plus Two Forums.
- Apps: PokerTracker for stats or SnapShove for hand ranges.
Conclusion
Poker is a game of practice, patience, and smart decisions. Stick with it, keep learning, and you’ll actually see your game start to improve! And don’t forget to get our downloadable PDF—it will be your new bestie!
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