At times we believe that tournaments are lost in a cooler or an inevitable flip. But as professional and poker coach Alexander Fitzgerald
You always call the flop with any pair
Solid player opens UTG. Multi-way flop. Bets 75% of the pot. And you call with a weak top pair “to avoid being exploited”? Error.
When someone strong fires that bomb against several opponents, they are rarely “testing.” Generally, they have an overpair or a set. If you call the flop to fold the turn, you are giving away chips. Continuing with a pair is correct many times… but not always. Analyze the context, not your ego.
You never fold draws to large bets
Flush or straight draw = “don’t fold.” That thinking is ruining many grinders.
The key is the price and the implied odds. If a solid player continues firing hard on the turn and river, they often have a monster. Additionally, some outs might not be real (if the board pairs, your flush might be dead). Don’t play with the fear of “seeing what I would have hit.” Play with mathematical logic.
Alexander Fitzgerald has just over three million dollars in online poker and nearly one million in live tournaments.
You only raise with two pair or better
If you only raise post-flop with very strong hands, you are an open book. Any thinking opponent will be able to bet/fold calmly against you.
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You must develop another gear: raising with a strong top pair on draw-heavy boards, incorporating raises with blockers or semi-bluffs. Especially when an opponent bets small to “control the pot.” If they re-raise you hard, you can fold without drama. But if you never apply pressure, they will never respect you.
You never make big folds on the river
Multi-way. Obvious draw completes. Tight opponent —more interested in coffee than in a hero call— fires a bomb. Do you call with two pair because “you can’t fold that”?
Yes, you can. And you must. If you never make big folds near the top of your range, attentive opponents will charge you dearly when you move up in stakes.
You automatically call the turn when the draw misses
The classic: the draw misses and you think the opponent is “barreling air.” Many times it’s just an excuse to keep gambling.
If you face a tight profile, most of their strong bets will be for value. And if you’re not willing to call the river, you probably shouldn’t have called the turn either.
Conclusion
Correcting just one of these leaks can change your tournament ROI. Post-flop poker is not about bravery, but about strategic discipline. Adjust these details and you will see how the cashes start coming more often… and not by miracle, but by technical merit.
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Source: Alexander Fitzgerald on Cardplayer.com
