Exploitative Play in Live Poker: How to Manipulate your Opponents into Making Mistakes

by Alexander Fitzgerald

Many poker players can make good decisions at the table with a reasonable frequency. Nevertheless, there are numerous situations where even very experienced players behave in predictable ways. These deeply-ingrained habits lead them to make mistakes. The problem is that these situations won’t often arise at the table by chance – you have to make them happen. Exploitative Play in Live Poker is a ground-breaking work that teaches you how to create the circumstances where your opponents will be likely to blunder and how to exploit them when they do.

To achieve this you will need to put to one side starting hand charts, balance and GTO (Game Theory Optimal) play. Instead you will incorporate new concepts that may well place you outside your comfort zone. However, your style will now be forcing the other players at the table outside of their comfort zone and, unlike you, they won’t know how to adapt.

Learn how to:

* Counter the auto-continuation-bettor
* Develop a powerful donk-betting strategy
* Use the overbet, the check-raise and the three-barrel effectively
* As well as being a highly successful player, Alex Fitzgerald runs a poker consultancy that serves more than 1,000 professional poker players in 60 countries. As part of this work, he has very likely trawled through more hand history databases than anyone else. This gives him a unique insight into how players really play, especially when placed under pressure and forced into unfamiliar situations.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2018

About the author

I write about card playing and some people seem to enjoy that.

Reviews

[One Flew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without doubt the best poker book I've ever read. I loved Harrington's books for their ability to teach the fundamentals of the game, Doyle's Super System for teaching mixed games, Sklansky for his theory driven work. Fitzgerald goes the route of explaining of ways to fight the modern game that is backed up by data and research.

My own play has become more passive over the last few years, relying more on trying to trap other players into making mistakes and hitting those big hands at the right time. I have moderate sucsess being a decent post flop player, but I have known for a while that I've become to much of a 'fit or fold' predictable but compotent grinder.

I'm certainly not a poker pro, but I do like working on my play. I listen to a few different poker podcasts, read occasional blog posts, watch any poker content that comes up on tv and read a poker book if I happen to find a decent one. Exploitative Play in Live Poker is the first book I've read in a long time that has really made me question how I play, why I play and what I really need to do if I want to beat the average recreational player. There was a lot of concepts that made a lot of sense the moment I read them and I can't wait to get back to the table to try them out.

I started to read this book in preperation for a poker series I'm travelling to play in next month and I was tempted to wait on rating this book until I had put many of the ideas into practice. Clearly this would be unfair, I could go to this poker series and bomb out of every event I enter and it still wouldn't be an inditement on the book. Any individual results I have are my own responsibility and playing a handful of tournaments isn't a big enough sample size to truly show representative statistics.

The main take away for me was how much Fitzgerald got me thinking about the game. The idea that 'aggressive poker is winning poker' has been around for a long time, but book offers the best break down on when, why and how it is best to use that aggression. A very informative book for anyone looking to advance their poker game, particularly if you're more of a passive player.

[Charles Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex is one of the 1-2 very best poker book authors and a great coach. He has a new book coming out on December 4, 2018. Available from Amazon. His previous book was great, the new one is better. The most important thing to me is that his ideas are easily understandable and based on solid fact. My order has already been placed.

The focus of his new book is Exploitation. I have just read the first couple of chapters, multiple times, and it is spot on!. He starts by focusing on the average opponent. He clearly points out that not focusing on your opponent is a huge mistake. In most games, you start with a table of unknown players. The only reasonable strategy is to start with the average opponent. How often does he do things like Check Raising the Flop, or 3-Betting preflop. Information like this is essential to developing a good strategy.

The major benefit of hid new books is that he focuses on the mistakes that your opponent makes and how to help him make even more mistakes. If your goal is to bet an AI or GTO computer this book is not for you. If you play against human opponents, of any skill level, this is exactly what you want.

Alex also points out that between 85% and 95% of all players are losing players. If you learn from them you will be a loosing player too. You must not play like them! If the 85% to 95% think that you are playing well then you are not.

Alex also points out that it is a huge mistake to worry about what your opponents think of you. If you get caught in a bluff that your opponents all think was stupid, be happy. It is best that he thinks you are a fool. Never, ever worry that your opponents do not think you play well. They are part of the 85% to 95% that lose money. Worry if they respect you. When you win with a bluff, no one knows. When you get called on the River, everyone sees your bluff and loses respect for you. That is exactly what you want, and is part of the benefit of the bluff.

I have a unique perspective as an application developer of poker software. His new book is a goldmine of new ideas, explained so that all of us can understand them. I read the first couple of chapters, and have already started work on a new release. Thank you Alex. The book is worth many times it's price.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, that went in-depth into the psychology and attitude of the average live player and how to get them for the max! I'd highly recommend it to anyone who regularly plays online poker, because I have zero doubt, that you will get at least something out of it! so it's probably going to make you at least $1000 in EV

Notes:

Play in a way that pisses others off, don't let losers accept your playstyle, make a stand, be an asshole 3bet a lot etc

Everyone at the table wants to feel good, not feel bad
When people triple barrel they usually always have it,
When people call they often don't have that much strength
We want to make a hero call - Human Tendancy
But we don't want to triple barrel. - Human tendancy
You should fold more and bluff more as humans are horrible at both
Sometimes let someone get over on you
Bluff more and fold more
4 percent raise on the river, so never as a bluff - Population
Value bet a lot as people are sticky
Close call on the river means you should fold
Bet fold top pair and top kicker to x raise on the flop because they can't have anything else if no draw
Only need to know who is going to 3bet you when you raise
Any 2 cards you're making money if nobody 3 bets
Aka know who your opponents are, any playable hand = money as long as nobody 3bets
Some people 3bet trash and some don't
See what people on left are gonna do with their hand
Don't give away your hand before action gets to you

Who is going to 3bet me if they flat or fold it's good
Raise when No1 3bets
Don't bet multiway too frequently
Use bigger opening size to get lower 3bets etc
If they take a long time - it's close hand
Quick then they know automatically
3.5x to confuse usual regulars
Dissuade 3bets
Or if big hand invite them
Food more than ever
Who is really good at this who's not supposed to be
Find people who buck the trend but still succeed
If you cannot 3bet in tournaments you won't succeed
If you cannot fold 1 pair you will not succeed
Play to opponents
3betting takes you far

Learn to fold 1 pair
Learn to 3bet light (don't fall off and stop it)

Hard to flop anything, only hits 30 per cent of the time, so just 3bet and triple barrel a lot

Flat 3bets less oop (except implied odds)

So can 4bet more oop

People call 3bets too much
4bets rararely 5 percent

Unsuited Broadways food 3bets
Small pairs are also good
Suited gappers etc etc
Adjust to other players, can play boring vs aggro, aggro vs voting

Create ranges for other players 20 percent etc
Flopzilla
If they fold to you or flat then you won

Ip should 3bet a lot vs weak ranges

3bet a loooot more vs weak ranges and folders

Tighten up range vs a lot of 3 bets

Stop 4betting only strong hands, flat with them oop

Aka they will barrel monkey you

Call 3bets with premiums occasionally

3bet ip, ip, ip, ip, ip, ip, ip

3bet or fold in the sb

People do not double/triple barrel

Double barrelling as a bluff, doesn't happen often

Can x call weaker pairs

Bet larger and get a high to fold - bigger bet than average

Triple barrel bluff more

Missing oop a lot of the time, so can barrel and win

Fold vs nits who raise tight

X raise and open tighter vs 3 bets

4bet once to make nuclear option there

Show up and pretend to be clueless

Make a nuts play early so people think your crazy

Check raise, is a lot of folding, can x raise straight and flush boards, x raise the flop, don't have to bluff turn or riv

Lead 2/3rd on the turn and barrel turn as people fold turns more, most people fold, can always fold river

Can just bet 10x on a rainbow flop and win 6.5x, occasionally

Paying attention, is the biggest edge, aka understand what happened in hands

Take notes on players, gives you a big edge - do it per session

Turn off airplane mode

Know people's rangr and how they play, know people whos range is nothing etc

Good or bad hand reads

Patience =a big hand usually
Meidum str can fold airy any indication

Snap raise = not top of range

Big hands = focused, non big = Ositensious

Big hands look away quickly

Middling weak = longer

Long pause before shoving = easy shove

Question/talking = weaker hand

Weaker hands = straight forward

Big hands more phases and delays

Subscribe to zachery elwood YouTube

Snap calls prob t's j's q's etc on 4bet

Quick calls etc online

Can discount a's k's with snap plays etc

Quiic calls = medium str hands

If they see your about to call, they may try and discourage you

Quick checks can be very strong

Flop Well, people don't talk, done wanna draw attention

Staring at the baord weak, looking away stronk

Ositensious behaviour = weak usually, unusually behaviour = weak lol

Flush draws snap call

Asking about the bet = unlikely strong

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best poker book any small stakes live player can read. Period.

[T. Laane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not finish the book, because I understood that poker is a fun hobby to me, put not my passion.
POKER AND MENTAL DOMINANCE. Poker is a game of phantoms, where the goal is to mentally dominate your opponents and make them see illusions. Success lies in predicting what others will think before they even think it. Focus on exploiting the tendencies of the 95% of players who lose - they seek dopamine hits and validation, convincing themselves they play well despite life’s struggles. They fear bold moves like folding or bluffing because they want approval from peers and worry about appearing foolish. Instead, do the opposite: embrace three-betting and making “jackass” moves, ignoring their approval or judgment.
PSYCHOLOGY AND RISK. The psychology of poker players reveals their fear of folding as a perceived loss and their tendency to gamble when faced with certain defeat. In life and in poker, people prefer to pocket small wins but are willing to take risks when facing losses, showing the emotional skew of decision-making. Understanding this allows you to push opponents into situations where their biases lead to predictable and exploitable mistakes.
COMPARISON AND ENVY. Human tendencies toward comparison and envy play a role in poker dynamics. Just like monkeys or dogs reacting negatively to unequal rewards, poker players often experience emotional conflict over perceived unfairness at the table. This emotional bias can be exploited by presenting yourself as unpredictable or by creating situations that force them into unfavorable comparisons. Knowing they play for validation rather than strategy gives you a distinct advantage.
CONTROL AND CALMNESS. Success at poker requires balance - knowing when to take risks and when to play conservatively. Fear of losses and anxiety over perception often lead opponents to act irrationally. To succeed, focus on clear-headed decision-making, avoid being swayed by emotional reactions, and maintain calm under pressure. Use others’ emotional weaknesses as tools to gain control over the game.
Ultimately, winning poker is less about playing the cards and more about understanding human behavior and using it to your advantage.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine having someone who has lived, breathed and eaten poker around the world since the poker boom began come up to you and say, here is what I know works and here's the evidence. That is what learning from Alex is like. That is what reading his book is like. Alex has taken all the hard work featured in his previous book, The Myth of Poker Talent (which I also highly recommend), and distilled the results into actionable items you can take, quickly.
Having learned from Alex over the years, one thing I always hear people ask about is whether this is tournament focused or cash focused. I'll tell you right now, Alex's goal is to teach you how to think like a poker player, not how to play JJ in a very specific situation. It's very much like giving a guy a fish (push fold chart type learning) or teaching him to fish (Alex Fitzgerald coaching). If you learn how to think like a poker player, you'll know what to apply in a tournament or cash game setting. I am primarily a cash game player and Alex's teaching, very well laid out in this book, has helped my win rate and ROI climb higher and higher. Thanks to Alex, I'm the guy in the poker club that everyone else wants to talk to about poker, because I'm usually the guy heading to the cage before I leave, not one of the many running directly out the door grumbling about how all these idiots keep getting lucky.
Get the book, put it into practice, and start thinking like a poker player.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have book for anyone playing micro to mid stakes from The Hardest Working Poker Coach in the world. Alex has a way of making concepts that I have heard over and over again finally click. Here is just one example: (Keep in mind that I might just be especially dense and the rest of you already figured this out)
Putting players on a range. Yes, I know about building ranges with Flopzilla, but that's haaard!
Reading one chapter in this book I finally got it that if you are PAYING ATTENTION and see someone opening K-7 offsuit from early position, then they are going to open anything better than that too!
So if your range smashes 80% of all those combinations you are golden! OK, I didn't explain that very well, but maybe you get the idea that for me it was like turning on a flashlight in the dark.
Also this: Alex's products all work so well together. Podcasts, webinars, books, they often approach the same material from different perspectives, and I need that. Redundancy is what keeps planes from crashing, people! I have already seen positive results from some of these plays in low stakes online games at ACR. I am looking forward to trying them in a midstakes tournament next month!

[Tom Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly thorough, deep examination of what OUR OPPONENTS think when they're sitting at the table. It took someone with Assassinato's depth of knowledge about what people actually do in a given situation to write this. I've been following his posts to his students for a couple of years now and am blown away by what his analysis of hand histories and work with other poker players has taught him about the best way to approach thinking about live and online play. He's working with results garnered from reviewing millions of hands against average poker players. I don't (with the exception of one entry to the WSOP) play first-class players. I play the average Joe at my casino poker room in $1/$2 and $2/$5 games and reasonably-priced tournaments - and that's where this information comes from. He brings the same enthusiasm and feet-to-the-fire clarity to this book that he displays in his podcasts and his periodic emails. It's the first time in years that I've been EXCITED to read a poker book!

[Chad McVean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found my new playbook!!

I don't have as much time for poker as I would like. I work full-time and have a family. The time I have for poker is limited and I spend my studying time on quality content.

Alex follows up his last great book with one that is even better. I truly hope no one else reads it as I want to be the only one taking advantage of his instruction!

Some poker strategy books feel more like the author is talking down to you where this book feels more like a conversation. From all of Alex's podcasts, reading through this book, I could hear Alex's voice in my head.

I have gone through this book once so far but will be going over it multiple times, with my notebook beside, to take notes as there is just too much information to just skim over.

This book will help my game now and, with each read, my game should get even better. I can't wait to put this into action next weekend at the tables in Vegas.

Thank you Alex for writing this book!

[B M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only discovered Alex in the last few months and since then I have invested in a few of his programs. Why?
Alex takes a statistical approach to Poker where he bases his strategies on database analysis, not just his personal experiences (which I imagine are also quite useful as he has cashed for $4mill+).
Consider.. Poker is a Maths problem.. as yet unsolved. I think Alex's approach is 2 steps forward in the right direction.
I love Maths, but even if you don't, you can be confident that his advice is backed up by the numbers.
I'm only 1/3 of the way through this book but I wish he only sold 1 copy.. to me!
I must give Alex kudos though.. since applying his methods (and I feel like I'm just at the start).. I'm up just over £1000 in profit (only tournaments, live and online).
His approach is the closest to Moneyball Poker that I've come across (if you've seen the film, you get the reference).

[Jeffrey Hallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would consider myself an amateur poker player who plays a live MTT each week. I have now read a few books on poker (including others by Alexander Fitzgerald) and this is my favorite poker book. The style of writing is easy to read and the contents are well explained. This book relies far less (in fact hardly at all) on software but focuses on spots and what to do in those spots. So it is very much suitable for the live player. I purchased the ebook version and the images in this are big and easy to see. I've already started using the things taught in the book and seeing positive results. There really is something for every poker player in this book no matter your skill level. I'll be referring back to this book a lot in the future and recommend it for all poker players whether you play online or live.

[Jared McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be one of the most helpful pieces of poker literature I have ever read. Fitzgerald uses data bases comprised of thousands of hands/players in order to analyze how the typical poker player will play in a live cash game or tournament setting. The data seems to show surprising similarities across the board as to how your every day casino grinder is playing their hands. As a result, Fitzgerald offers some simple formulas to combat and exploit these players so you can maximize your profits at the tables.

It certainly requires some study in order to be able to recognize these spots consistently when you're playing, but I think it will improve my game and the game of anyone else who decides to pick up this book. I have already had some success with these simple, but genius insights offered in the book and look forward to expanding on that success throughout the year.

[Owen Mullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been playing poker tournaments for roughly 25 years. I thought I was better than most of the people I play with .After reading this books i realise I have been playing basically the same way every one else is playing in my games. Although this has dented my ego a little I love poker with a passion and relish any chance to improve my game. This book has opened my eyes to a new and more exciting way of playing .
I am really excited about adopting the strategies that are explained in this book.
Alex is a great teacher with a true love of poker and a genuine interest in his students
What you are getting in this book are strategies that are based on factual information Alex has based on verifiable data base analysis
It’s just a great book and I wish Alex all the success he deserves .

[Anthony Conti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I read this book in a day. Couldn’t put it down. If you play poker at any level you won’t be able to either. Alex has done it again, he’s pissed off the top players in the game by giving away valuable information for peanuts. You know what? God bless this man! You’d be crazy not to buy this book and literally crush 97% of the field. I wish Alex raised the price because this game changer right here is a Ferrari in exchange for a pack of gum. Read it and I hope I never face you at my table!!! Thank you again Alex for helping me provide for my family with the game I have the utmost passion for!!

[Stephen Wandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm trying to improve at poker so I'm not the biggest fish at the table anymore. This definitely was not the right book for me as a beginner. It's targeted at the avid player trying to go pro as they live and breathe poker. For that reason it was an interesting look into the mind of a pro poker player, learning about the kind of strategic things they think about. I could see some strategies that had worked on me before, and some that wouldn't because I'm not even good enough to be predictable. I'm definitely going to much more basic strategy book next. Even though most went over my head, I was more absorbed in this audiobook than maybe any other I have listened to.

[John Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great poker instructor. I have the book pre-ordered on Amazon and can’t wait to get it! I listen to Alex’s podcast and always enjoy it and learn something from it, along with subscribing to his news letter. He is highly recommended by Jonathan Little whom I have read a lot of his books, including his excelling at no limit hold ‘em which Alex wrote a portion that was great! I have read a portion of a sample chapter and am already re-thinking some of my play from just those couple of paragraphs! Keep up the good work Alex!!

[Steve Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I too am a recreational player although I have cashed a few times in tournaments in Las Vegas. Looking back, I realize it was more luck than anything else. Overall, I must admit that I am one of the 95% losing players in the long run but I believe that will change after reading this book. This book has opened my eyes. I guess I would not 3 bet because I as afraid of being criticized. I wanted people to think I was a good player. Now, after reading this book, I don't care! Do yourself a favor and buy this book, or do me a favor, and don't buy it.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is THE reference for small and mid-stakes players.
Alex spent over 10 years as a winning pro and now has distilled what the Playbook is for playing poker against the field. This is not theoretical poker, this is plays that work in real life in your local poker cardroom.
For example the small bet on 3rd street has changed my game - I used to be big and never get called... now I bet a third of the pot and get paid all the time. That’s 10 big blinds in my poket every time!
Thank you Alex... although I wish you didn’t give out the secret to everyone!
Ben

[Ned Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to say I wish I had found Alex earlier in my poker career. I’ve only been playing since 2103 but the one thing I have always done is try to learn as much as I can about how to succeed at this game. This is where Alex excels. He gives you clear actionable ways to become a better poker player. If you follow his strategies and put in the effort away from the table you will get better. I truly appreciate his honesty in his teachings. If you want to be a better poker player buy this book you won’t regret it.

[Nitin Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for a poker player, an awesome book. At times i wont do check-raise but this book explains on how to do and handle check-raise, in addition to other topics.

If someone is really looking for a book which can teach someone on how you can push your opponent to make mistake and you take advantage of that mistake then this is the book for you. Avery powerful strategy.

Thanks Alex for this gem

[Aaron Lindzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!! I am a recreational player and this book is a real eye opener. It is full of practical tips and guidelines for improving play. Very funny book too. It has had an immediate impact on my tournament play and results. I am seeing opportunities that I never considered before. Worth every penny!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex gives very clear and straight-forward advice on how to take advantage of low stakes cash games and tournaments. I have gone from being one of the nits in my card room to three betting multiple times an orbit. The book has paid for itself many times already. I am now one of those annoying guys that you don't want on your left because you never get to see a cheap flop. Terrific.

[Jeff S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this book. I love how easy it is to understand what he is talking about in the book. When you get this book you get 3 copies of it in different formats. I have got other books about poker but they are harder to understand than this one. I would recommend this book to anyone that want to get better or learn more about poker, Thanks Alexander Fitzgerald.

[Santiago Mansilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book from Alex. There is no boring math or charts you will easily forget, just simple tactics you can use in cash games or tournaments that works on today games.

The author's style is direct, clear and entertaining with humour. He also gives examples and hands analysis to the concepts he explains.

[Aron Gilleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great and cuts out all the GTO crap. It's easy to read with quizzes that make you think. You will be exploiting the bums down in your local card room and will be making $100'S off the learning you get here.

[Mcphobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your spending money on poker and not winning every time lol, you should be spending money getting more insights. Well written and entertaining. If you enjoy poker and don’t enjoy losing do something about it. Buy the book and help yourself.

[Jim Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, informative book. The writing style is clear, concise and enjoyable. I am a micros player but I hope to move up soon ... this book can help me succeed when I do.

Very well done!!

[Rene' M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many poker books. From Super Sytems to Jonathan Little’s Excelling. Why Fitzgerald is different for me is his Moneyball approach backed by analytics. His honest and integrity to the game is obvious and I look forward to my own results I get in 2019.

[Roland Müller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very glad to find this kind of a book. I was searching for that kind of a book a long time. I just started to read it and i can not wait to finishing it as soon as possibel. I am shure it will improve my game.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Alex’s first book, lots of great insights. I preordered this one and could not wait to get it. Alex’s materials are always a worthwhile investment.