Category: Poker

With eight players left and the stakes sky-high, Jim Collopy found himself in a tense showdown against Dylan Weisman at a four-handed table. The blinds stood at 15,000-30,000 with a big blind ante of 30,000. From the button, Collopy made a standard raise to 65,000. Weisman, defending his big blind, called.

The flop came down, and after a continuation bet from Collopy, Weisman stayed in the hand. The turn brought more intrigue, leading to a check from both players. But it was the river where things exploded—Weisman fired a massive overbet of 500,000. Collopy, sitting with two pair, had a difficult decision to make. In the end, he made the disciplined laydown, preserving his stack and extending his tournament life.

Breaking Down the Hand: Key Decisions at Each Street

Preflop: Setting the Stage

Jim Collopy was in a strong position, opening from the button with K-10 suited—a hand that plays well both preflop and postflop. With two broadway cards and the possibility of making flushes and straights, this was a standard raise.

Dylan Weisman, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner and a strong postflop player, called from the big blind. Given his deep understanding of ranges and board textures, he wasn’t going to fold too easily, especially with a hand that could improve significantly.

Flop: Top Pair vs. Flush Draw

The flop favored Collopy as he hit top pair with his K-10. Weisman, however, had a low flush draw, meaning both players had a real reason to continue.

• Weisman checked, as expected, letting Collopy take the lead.
• Collopy fired out a continuation bet of 85,000, which kept his aggressive stance intact.
• Weisman called, keeping the pot in control while still chasing his flush.

At this stage, Collopy was ahead, but Weisman had plenty of outs.

Turn: The Flush Completes

The turn changed everything. A third heart hit the board, completing Weisman’s flush.

• Weisman, instead of leading out, checked again, perhaps setting a trap.
• Collopy, now holding two pair (kings and tens), opted to check behind.

His decision here was crucial. Many players might have fired a second bullet to protect their hand, but Collopy recognized the dangers. If Weisman had already hit a flush, betting could have backfired. Checking kept the pot manageable and gave him more control heading into the river.

River: The Overbet That Ended the Hand

The final community card was the Ace of Diamonds, another scare card. It completed multiple possible straights and could have improved a variety of hands.

• With 345,000 in the pot, Weisman made a huge overbet of 500,000.
• Collopy, holding two pair in a dangerous spot, had to decide whether to call or fold.

This was the classic dilemma: Was Weisman bluffing, or did he have the goods?

The Fold That Saved His Tournament Life

Collopy’s two pair now functioned as a bluff catcher. He was only beating hands that missed draws or were turning made hands into bluffs. Weisman’s aggressive overbet put the pressure on, making it an extremely tough call.

In the end, Collopy made the right decision. He folded, avoiding disaster and keeping his tournament hopes alive. His discipline paid off, as he later reached the final table and secured a sixth-place finish worth $40,000.

Why Was This Fold So Important?

Collopy’s decision to let go of two pair in such a high-stakes situation was no accident. It was a calculated move based on experience and game theory. Here’s why it was the right choice:

• Weisman’s betting pattern suggested strength. He called on the flop, checked on the turn after completing his flush, then went for max value on the river.
• The board was scary. With a flush and straight possibilities, Collopy was losing to many hands.
• Stack preservation mattered. A wrong call here could have crippled his chances of making the final day. Instead, he stayed alive and cashed for another significant payday.

Jim Collopy’s PokerGO Tour Success

Collopy’s run wasn’t just about this one hand. He had an incredible season on the PokerGO Tour, cashing in 21 events and earning a seat in the exclusive $1,000,000 Championship freeroll.

His decision-making and ability to avoid unnecessary risks were major factors in his season-long success. By folding in this spot, he kept his head above water and continued to compete at the highest level.

What Can Players Learn From This Hand?

This hand is a textbook example of when to lay down a strong hand in the face of overwhelming evidence. Key takeaways for poker players:

• Top pair or two pair isn’t always a calling hand. If the board is dangerous and an opponent’s betting pattern signals strength, it’s okay to fold.
• Big river bets often mean big hands. Unless you have a strong read that your opponent is bluffing, caution is best.
• Tournament survival is more important than one pot. Collopy’s discipline helped him go deeper in the event and earn a solid payday.

While big calls make headlines, smart folds keep pros in the game. And that’s exactly what Jim Collopy did.

Poker is a game of calculated risks and psychological warfare. While many players stick to conventional strategies, the real winners often use subtle but effective tactics that go unnoticed. Alex Fitzgerald, a seasoned poker strategist, sheds light on some lesser-known techniques that can give you an immediate edge at the tables.

Overbetting: Pressure Your Opponents Into Mistakes

Overbetting is a weapon many professionals use, yet lower- and mid-stakes players often hesitate to pull the trigger. The idea is simple—when your opponent’s range is weak, apply maximum pressure and make them fold hands they otherwise wouldn’t.

Let’s say you raise from the cutoff, and the big blind calls. The flop comes A-K-2, and they check. Against a passive opponent who likely would have three-bet with strong hands like A-K, A-Q, or pocket kings, you can confidently fire a massive bet. Their range is often capped, meaning they hold hands that struggle to call a huge bet.

Another great time to overbet is when your opponent has likely missed a draw. Imagine you raised preflop, and the big blind called. The flop is 6♦ 7♦ 2♠, and they check-call your continuation bet. The turn brings a Q♠, and they check again. If they had a monster hand, they would have likely raised already. Instead, their range consists mostly of one-pair hands or busted draws. A massive bet here can push them out of the pot.

No-Limit Hold’em allows for bets of any size, so use that flexibility to put opponents in tough spots.

Why You Should Fold Rivers In Small Pots

This one surprises most players. But after analyzing thousands of hand histories, Fitzgerald found a strange pattern—whenever a small bet was placed in a small pot on the river, it was almost never a bluff.

Most players don’t like to bluff in minor pots. Why?

• They assume opponents won’t fold for a small price.
• They don’t want to feel stupid if they get called.
• They play more for comfort than optimal strategy.

So, if you’re facing a small river bet in a small pot and your hand can only beat a bluff, folding is usually the right move. Don’t convince yourself that calling is “cheap.” Those small mistakes add up over time.

Small Reraises Against Loose Opponents

Playing against aggressive, loose opponents can be frustrating. They open too many hands and don’t fold to three-bets. Instead of trying to push them around, adjust your sizing.

Rather than making a massive three-bet, a small reraise isolates them and gets you heads-up. You don’t need to shove all-in or overcommit.

For example, instead of three-betting a hand like K-8 suited, which might run into hands like K-J or A-10, target hands that dominate their range. A K-Q offsuit three-bet works better because they’ll often call with weaker hands like K-10 or Q-9 suited.

Playing with position and control makes post-flop decisions easier. Against weaker opponents, keeping the stack-to-pot ratio high allows for better maneuverability.

Why Folding Preflop From The Big Blind Is Often The Best Move

A common misconception is that you should always defend the big blind liberally. But when deep-stacked, calling with weak offsuit high cards can lead to disaster.

Consider this: You have K-5 offsuit in the big blind, and a player in position raises. You call, and the flop comes K-9-3. Sounds decent, right? But what happens when your opponent fires big bets on the turn and river?

• They can overbet with strong hands, putting you in a tough spot.
• You risk committing chips when their value hands dominate you.
• Even if they bluff, you might fold too often and lose money anyway.

When deep-stacked, hands like K-5 offsuit or A-7 offsuit become liabilities against skilled opponents. If they know how to pressure you, you’ll be caught in tricky post-flop spots, unsure whether to call down or fold.

Instead of getting trapped, folding these weak hands preflop saves you money and prevents difficult situations.

Avoid Getting Trapped In Multiway Pots

Multiway pots are dangerous, yet many players stay in hands they should abandon. Here’s an example:

• You have 6♠ 7♠ on the button.
• The middle position player raises, the cutoff calls, and you call. The big blind also calls.
• The flop comes 10♥ 6♥ 2♣. The big blind checks, the initial raiser continuation bets, and the cutoff calls.

At first glance, you might think about calling. You hit middle pair, after all. But look at the reality:

• Someone likely has a ten, putting you behind already.
• A seven might not even improve your hand if someone has an 8-9 straight draw.
• There’s still the big blind left to act, and they could check-raise.

Most players call here because they don’t want to “fold the best hand.” But that’s the wrong mindset. Folding when behind is correct, even if you sometimes fold the best hand. Instead of trying to force a marginal situation, save those chips for a better opportunity.

Poker is about making fewer mistakes than your opponents. The best players don’t just rely on textbook strategies—they exploit weaknesses others don’t even realize they have. By overbetting in key spots, folding in small river pots, and avoiding unnecessary risks in multiway pots, you can immediately level up your game.

Want to stay ahead? Think beyond the obvious and make moves others won’t.