Variety of poker table formats in ClubGG

Poker is not just classic Texas Hold'em, but also a multitude of other formats that make the game exciting and profitable.

The ClubGG app, a leader among mobile poker rooms, offers players unique tables with different rules, where you can not only experience the thrill but also increase your poker earnings.

Thanks to its creative approach and constant implementation of innovations, ClubGG has gained popularity among both beginners and experienced players.

We will analyze the key formats, strategies, and features of playing for real money, as well as explain how rakeback and table selection affect your bankroll.

Jackpot tables offer the opportunity to win an additional prize, even if you lose the hand.  An additional rake is taken at these tables, which goes into the jackpot fund.

When a player hits the jackpot, all players who were at the table also receive a portion of the jackpot.

Each club can regulate the rules for awarding the jackpot; usually, for Hold'em, you need to lose with a Full House or a stronger hand.

How it works:

• To qualify for the jackpot, you need to lose with a strong combination (for example, a full house AAAJJ or higher in Hold'em).
• The payout amount depends on the table limit. For example, at the NL200 limit, you can receive up to 15% of the total fund.

 Example of jackpot calculation

• Jackpot fund: $10,000.
• Table limit: NL200.
• Your share: 15% → $1,500.

Strategy for playing for money:

• Play at high traffic tables — the jackpot fund grows faster there.
• Avoid overly aggressive play — your goal is not just to win, but to lose with a strong combination.

Ante is a mandatory bet from all players before the start of the hand. It increases the starting pot, which makes the game more aggressive. It differs from the blinds (small and big), which are made by only two players:

1. Ante is usually a small fraction of the minimum bet (for example, 10-25% of the big blind).

2. Ante is used to increase the pot size and encourage more active play.

How does the presence of ante change the dynamics of the game?

1. Pot increase:

➕ Ante increases the starting pot size, which makes the game more aggressive, as players strive to win the already formed pot.

2. Reduced Effectiveness of "tight" play:

➕ Players who prefer to play only with strong hands (tight style) lose more money due to the ante, as they are forced to constantly contribute to the pot, even if they have weak cards.

3. Game acceleration:

➕ Antes encourage players to enter hands more frequently to offset their losses from mandatory bets. This makes the game more dynamic.

4. Increased expected value:

➕ Due to the larger pot, players can take risks more often, as the potential winnings become more significant.

How does the ante change the game strategy?

1. Range expansion:

❕Because of the ante, players are forced to play more hands to compensate for losses. This means you can enter pots more often with weaker hands, especially in late positions.

2. Aggressive play:

❕The ante makes the pot bigger, so players use expensive bluffs and bluff-catches more often, which greatly increases variance and attracts active players.

3. Accounting for ante losses:

❕Players must consider that the ante "eats" their stack, so it is important to participate in hands more often to compensate for these losses.

4. Changes in stack approaches:

❕In tournaments with antes, players with short stacks are forced to go "all-in" more often to avoid losing their chips due to the ante. This makes the game more intense.

5. Positional play:

❕The presence of an ante makes the position at the table even more important. Players in late positions can attack more often, knowing that their opponents have already invested the ante and may fold under pressure.

6. Adapting to opponents:

❕If there are many tight players at the table, you can use aggressive strategies more often to take their antes. If there are many loose players at the table, it is worth playing more selectively.

Example of pot calculation:

• Blinds: 5/5/10.
• Ante: $2.
• Starting pot: 29 (5 + 10 + 6×2).

Basic tips for playing for money at tables with antes:

• Manage your bankroll - the ante increases expenses at the table.
• Analyze your opponents - if there are many tight players at the table, raise more often.

Straddle - a voluntary bet of 2×BB, which is made by the player after the big blind. This shifts the order of action and increases the pot.

How does the straddle change the game strategy?

➡️ Bankroll Boost:

- Straddle increases the initial pot size, making the game more aggressive. Players enter hands more often to compete for a larger pot.

➡️ Action order change:

- After the straddle, the action order shifts. The player who posted the straddle acts last pre-flop, giving them a positional advantage.  That is, for their blind bet, the player receives the best position against the other players pre-flop.

➡️ Pressure on opponents:

- The player who posts the straddle puts pressure on other participants, as they are forced to deviate from their standard pre-flop strategy because there is significantly more money in the pot.

Straddles are often favored by recreational players because it's fun and increases the table dynamics. This also increases the chances of profit for experienced players!

Example strategy

• At the 5/5/10 limit, post a $20 straddle.
• If opponents fold, collect the $35 pot (BB + SB + straddle).

Risks:

• High variance — straddle increases bet sizes, which can also lead to quick losses.
• Inexperienced players often overestimate their hands after a straddle.

In Bomb Pots, all players contribute a fixed amount before the hand, and betting begins on the flop.

Features of playing for real money

✔️ Pots here are 5-10 times larger than in regular hands.

✔️ Due to the lack of pre-flop action, it's difficult to predict opponents' hand ranges.

Example profit calculation:

• Each player contributes $50.
• Pot on the flop: $400 (8 players × $50).
• If you win with top pair, you take $400+.

Strategy:

❕Play only with strong combinations — the chances of winning decrease due to the large number of participants.

❕Avoid Bomb Pots if you are not prepared for high variance.