The Poker Ecosystem

This series is all about what to consider when asking where to play poker.

Most poker players massively under-value the importance of this, which is why we bring you valuable insights so you can make the best decision.

Poker ecosystem expert Tom Smeets will guide you through this series having years of experience in this field.

Check out our General Strategy series for more fundamental PLO knowledge.

Other recommendations

Course Content

Expand All
4-CARD PLO ECOSYSTEM MASTERCLASS
Poker Ecosystem Revealed - Introduction19 mins
Poker Ecosystem Revealed - PLO 5022 mins
Poker Ecosystem Revealed - PLO 10019 mins
Poker Ecosystem Revealed - PLO 200 1 Link |39 mins
Expand
Episode Content
0% Complete 0/1 Steps
5-CARD PLO ECOSYSTEM MASTERCLASS
The Ultimate 5-Card PLO Rake Guide2 mins
5-Card PLO Loss Rates19 mins
5-Card PLO GG Poker Rake 1 Link |28 mins
Expand
Episode Content
0% Complete 0/1 Steps
5-Card PLO App Game Rake18 mins
RAKE AND RAKEBACK
GGPoker's Player Value Index (PVI) System Explained 1 Link |16 mins
Expand
Episode Content
0% Complete 0/1 Steps
PokerStars Rakeback System 2 Links |11 mins
Expand
Episode Content
0% Complete 0/2 Steps
Preview thisCourse
  • Episodes 10
  • Time 3 HR 13 MIN
  • Links 5
Register

On this course

4-CARD PLO ECOSYSTEM MASTERCLASS
5-CARD PLO ECOSYSTEM MASTERCLASS
RAKE AND RAKEBACK

Access our Free Preflop Pass

The Evolution of a Poker Player

  1. Fan: Approaches poker like a game, the first spark of poker enthusiasm.
  2. Student: Starts thinking about it like education, shifting from intuitive to analytical.
  3. Rookie: Finds a space to dominate at his level (niche) and avoid costly mistakes.
  4. Professional: Shifts into career mindset, a disciplined grind with an investment perspective.
  5. Established Pro: Focuses on high-ROI situations and keeping the passion alive for long-term success.
  6. Specialist: Masters the poker ecosystem (deeper understanding of the industry), diversifies & is more versatile (location/travel, networking, reach).

Betting Robust (Out of Position)

Betting hands that can continue both as bets or as check/calls on a lot of runouts, they almost always need to have some form of equity beyond fold equity.

Betting Polar (In Position)

Betting our very strongest hands and our hands with the best blockers against our opponent’s continuing range.

Expanding Your Repertoire

In Hold’em, every note is familiar, and mastery comes from perfecting a well-understood form. You’ve trained your ear, your hand, your instincts. You know the keys.

But PLO? That’s jazz. It’s wilder. The chords are richer, the improvisation deeper. You still need the fundamentals, but now you’re playing in a world with more combinations, more chaos, and more opportunity for brilliance.

As you embrace the complexity, you start hearing the music differently. You realize the chaos has a rhythm of its own. And once you find it, the freedom is intoxicating.

You’re not abandoning the piano — you are experiencing a natural evolution of your journey, building on your skills by embracing a new style.

5-Card PLO Postflop Solutions

Flops

Turns + Rivers

5C_Postflop_SRP-2024
5C_Postflop_3Bet-2024
5C_Postflop_4Bet-2024
5C_Postflop_HeadsUp-2025

5-Card PLO Preflop Solutions

5C_Preflop_HeadsUp-2024
5C_Preflop_CashGames-2024
5C_Preflop_Shorthanded-2024

4-Card PLO Postflop Solutions

Flops

Turns + Rivers

4C_Postflop_SRP-2024
4C_Postflop_3Bet-2024
4C_Postflop_4bet-2024
4C_Postflop_Multiway-2024
4C_Postflop_HeadsUp-2025
4C_Postflop_6Max-2024
4C_Postflop_MTT-2024

4-Card PLO Preflop Solutions

4C_Preflop_CashGames-2024(2)
4C_Preflop_MTT6max-2024
4C_Preflop_8max-2025
4C_Preflop_HeadsUp-2024

Do I need to apply to Black Card if I am a former VIP Rewards Member?

All VIP Rewards members were automatically enrolled in the Black Card program and don’t need to apply again.

Welcome, you are in!