Play Like Fedor Holz

Fedor Holz, AKA "CrownUpGuy," is a high stakes tournament player from Germany who made a name for himself in the poker world by rising from modest stakes to the very top of the game at a very young age.

With $36,303,289 in live tournament winnings as of January 2023, Holz is considered one of the best players in the game today, even in semi-retirement. So, what can we learn from his playing style? Here are a few tips on how to play poker like Fedor Holz.

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Aggression

Holz is known for his aggressive playing style, often re-raising preflop to put pressure on his opponents. This is a great strategy to force your opponents into make mistakes by applying pressure to put them on the backfoot. 

This particularly effective against weaker players who will often prefer to wait for a better spot. However, it's important to be aware of the situation and adjust your aggression accordingly paying close attention to who you are up against. For example, if you're playing against a tight and aggressive reg, you may want to play a more balanced or GTO style.

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Be Adaptive Preflop

Holz is very adaptive preflop, adjusting selectively against each particular opponent. This helps him avoid costly mistakes and maximise his profits. It is important to always be aware of the situation and game flow to adjust your hand selection accordingly. For example, if you're playing in a loose game with lots of weak players, you may want to open up your hand selection and play more hands. Or, conversely, tighten up against other good players at the table.

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Game Theory Optimal

Holz is a big believer in using game theory to make decisions at the poker table. This involves analysing solver outputs to see the different ways a hand can play out and making the best decision based the information available.

This means taking a balanced GTO line against another good player or understanding what the best deviation is to exploit a player who routinely makes errors to maximise profit.

By using game theory, you can make more informed decisions and increase your chances of of a higher win rate by not losing to the best players and exploiting recreational players as efficinetly as possible

However, it's important to remember that game theory is not a magic solution and it's important to also consider other factors such as your opponents' tendencies and the dynamics of the table. Most of your profit will still come from exploiting weak players. GTO is only a defensive strategy against good players.

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Read Your Opponents

Fedor Holz is a master at reading his opponents and using that information to his advantage. Although a very successful online MTT player, he comes into his own in the live game where he can stare his opponents down.

He pays attention to their betting patterns and body language to get an idea of what they might be up to. By reading your opponents, you can gain an edge over them and make more informed decisions. This is especially important in high stakes games where the players are more experienced and make fewer technical errors. However, it's important to remember that not all players will give off clear tells and it's important to also consider other factors.

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Stay Disciplined

Holz is known for his discipline at the poker table, sticking to his strategy and not getting caught up in the emotions of the game. This helps him make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes by making any hand personal.

By staying disciplined and sticking to your strategy, you can avoid tilting and making poor decisions that can cost you dearly. However, it's important to remember that poker is a game of constant adaptation and you should always be able to adjust your strategy according to the situation.

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Study, Study, Study

Holz is known for his work ethic, constantly seeking improvement of his game. He has spent hours analysing hands, reviewing opponents and studying up on strategy. By being a student of the game, you can improve your understanding of the game and become a better player. However, it's important to remember that studying is not a substitute for actual experience, and it's important to also put in the hours at the table to gain a better understanding of the game. Balance between working and playing is crucial.

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Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is crucial to a successful career as a poker player and it’s surprising how many players still need to be told this in 2023.

Fedor Holz never put himself in a position where he was risking too much of his bankroll on the way up to high stakes. By having a good bankroll management, you can avoid going broke and ensure that you have enough funds to get through the inevitable downswings. But remember that bankroll management is not just about avoiding going broke, it's also about maximising your profits. Holz got to where he is by moving up in stakes when he has the bankroll to support it. This allows him to maximise his profits and hopefully move up to bigger games.

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Final Thoughts

Fedor Holz is a master of the game and his playing style is a great example for any aspiring poker pro. By being aggressive, properly selective with your hands, learning how to apply GTO, reading your opponents, staying disciplined, being a student of the game and having good bankroll management, you can reach your goals. Remember, poker is a constantly evolving game and it's important to always be learning and adapting to stay ahead of the competition.

Another key aspect of Fedor Holz's poker strategy is his ability to adapt to different formats and games. He has been successful in both live and online poker by being versatile and adaptable. He is also known for his mental toughness and ability to handle high-pressure situations which is easier said than done. Playing in high stakes games and tournaments is mentally taxing but Holz has developed the ability to keep a clear head and make rational decisions even under pressure. By developing your mental toughness, you'll be able to better handle the stress of the game and make better decisions.

Lastly, it's important to remember that Holz has put in the hours and dedication to become the player he is today. By putting in the time and effort to study and improve your game, you will also be able to reach your potential as a player.