Hey Poker Fam,

WSOP Paradise is leveling up. The series is moving to Baha Mar in The Bahamas, and it's a bigger, bolder version of what made it so special. Meanwhile, Marius Kudzmanas just made history at WSOP Europe. The bracelet counts keep climbing. The game keeps evolving. And in Prague, we're watching the Poker world prove that legacy tournaments still matter.

But it's also a week where legal questions hang over Texas Poker and where every 3-bet decision post-flop matters more than most players realize.

This week:
• WSOP Paradise heads to Baha Mar for bigger guarantees and better accommodations
• Marius Kudzmanas becomes the latest champion at WSOP Europe Main Event
• Allen Kessler grinds toward a long-awaited bracelet win
• The Lodge Card Club faces more legal complications
• Master your c-bet strategy after 3-betting pre-flop

Let's get into it...

The winter Poker circuit's hottest series is moving.

WSOP Paradise is outgrowing Atlantis. After two successful years at the iconic resort, the series is relocating to Baha Mar—a newer, brighter, and more sprawling property that can handle the expansion. Last year's Super Main Event drew 2,891 entries. Bernhard Binder took down €10 million. The momentum is real.

Baha Mar doesn't just have more space. It has the largest casino in the Caribbean, upgraded amenities, a golf course, and pools. It's also newer, which means easier navigation and a cleaner experience overall. The venue already proved itself when it hosted the PCA in 2023—players loved it.

What's this mean for the series? Expect 15 or more bracelets. Expect the guarantees to climb. Last year's $60 million guarantee on the $25K Super Main turned into a $72 million prize pool. Logic says we'll see $75 million or higher this December. The question isn't whether WSOP Paradise will be bigger. It's how much bigger.

Source: Poker.org

The WSOP Europe Main Event has a new champion, and Marius Kudzmanas just made his mark on Poker history.

Kudzmanas outran the record-breaking field of 2,617 entries to claim the title and approximately €2 million in first-place prize money. It's validation of his game against the toughest European talent on one of the biggest stages. The €13.085 million prize pool represents everything this event has become under new ownership: bigger, tougher, more prestigious.

Kudzmanas' victory adds to a legendary roll call of WSOP Europe Main Event champions. He's proven he belongs in that conversation. The message is clear: European Poker is the real deal.

Source: WSOP

Allen Kessler is still grinding toward his first WSOP bracelet, and his tournament run this week showed why he refuses to stop.

The veteran cash game pro and tournament grinder has been a fixture in high-stakes games for years, but a bracelet has remained elusive. This week's deep run is another chapter in his pursuit of that coveted gold. For players like Kessler, the bracelet means everything—it's the mark of legitimacy, the proof that you can execute on the biggest stage.

He's got the game. He's got the experience. He's got the fire. It's only a matter of time.

Source: Poker News

The April 9 deadline came and went. The Lodge's assets are still frozen.

Texas authorities have filed for civil forfeiture, which means the legal battle intensifies instead of concluding. Players who had chips in play still don't have their money. Employees are still out of work. Doug Polk's personal liability remains on the table. Nothing has been resolved.

This signals to the Poker community that the fight is far from over. For the 82 other Texas rooms operating under similar models, April 9 wasn't the answer—it was a signal that the state is serious. The legal system doesn't move fast. It moves deliberate. And right now, it's moving against The Lodge.

Source: Card Player

Here's the reality: after you 3-bet pre-flop, most players think they have to c-bet on every flop. That's exploitable as heck.

Let me teach you how to think about this correctly.

First, understand that your 3-bet range is composed of strong hands and premium combinations. That means certain boards play better for you than others. Your job is to identify which ones, then adjust your betting frequency accordingly.

When the board FAVORS your range, attack it. Let's say you 3-bet from the small blind against a middle position open, and the flop comes A-K-10. That's a premium board for your 3-betting range. You should c-bet almost your entire range here because you have way better cards than they do. The board validates your aggression.

When the board is WEAK for your range, pump the brakes. Imagine UTG opens and you 3-bet from the hijack. The flop runs out 10-9-8. Now you're in a tough spot. Your 3-betting range consists of high pairs and Broadway—A-K, K-K, Q-Q, stuff like that. But you're also calling with middling pairs and suited connectors. Against this board texture, your range is vulnerable. Don't make the mistake of c-betting here because you "have to."

Pot control is your friend when deepstacked. This is where I see the biggest leak. Players 3-bet with A-K in early stages of tournaments when they're deep-stacked (100+ big blinds). Then the flop comes A-Q-9. They think they have to c-bet. But here's the thing: you probably have the best hand right now. However, if your opponent raises your c-bet, are you ready to play for stacks? If the answer is no, then check the flop, keep the pot small, and let them catch up to you on later streets. Checking and barreling the turn or river is often the higher EV line than c-betting the flop and getting raised.

Read your opponent's range, not just the board. If you know your opponent calls your 3-bets too wide, increase your c-bet frequency against them. They're going to have tons of junky hands that missed. Even if you're bluffing, take that money. Just understand you might need two or three streets of aggression to get them to fold.

Wet boards demand respect. When the flop is coordinated (Q-J-10, K-Q-J, etc.), especially multiway, you need to proceed with caution even if you have a strong hand. Your opponents' ranges all include sets, some two-pair combos, and sometimes straights. You might already be behind. Checking at a high frequency keeps the pot manageable and lets you reevaluate on later streets.

The math is simple, but execution is hard. Most players miss 3-bet c-bets because they're playing outcomes instead of ranges. They win with the bet sometimes and lose other times, then they decide c-betting "worked" or "didn't work." That's not how you think. Think about whether the board favors your range, whether you can control pot size, whether your opponent calls too wide or too tight. That's how you win.

Your c-bet strategy after 3-betting is one of the most important decisions you make post-flop. Master it, and your win rate climbs significantly.

Free Poker Training → https://lexygavinmather.com/free-Poker-training/

I call a raise with Q-6 of diamonds and flop a queen-high flush draw on K-8-2 with two diamonds, then make my flush when the turn brings the king of diamonds—but when I fire a value bet on the river and face a raise to 6,200, you're going to want to see how I handle this tricky spot!

YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@LexyGavinPoker

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The WSOP has announced its 2026 online bracelet schedule with 30 events and $7 million in guaranteed prize pools. The schedule spans multiple Poker formats, giving players more opportunities to compete for bracelets without leaving their homes. This represents the WSOP's continued commitment to bringing world-class Poker competition to online platforms.

Source: Poker News Daily

A Poker player has been sentenced after pleading guilty to bank fraud charges. The case highlighted how some individuals attempt to use tournament winnings to mask or cover illegal financial schemes. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder that the Poker community is not exempt from the law, and that integrity matters both at the tables and in real life.

Source: Poker News

With WSOP season here, players are looking for quick fuel between tournament sessions. While Vegas casinos offer plenty of options, not all of them are conducive to clear thinking and sustained energy. A guide to the worst choices—the foods and drinks that will tank your focus by late night—is circulating among pros. Stick to lean protein, hydration, and simple carbs if you want to stay sharp when it matters most.

Source: Poker.org

When have you personally faced a spot where checking instead of c-betting turned out to be the biggest win? I want to understand how you think through that decision. Reply to this email—I read each one of them!

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Talk soon,
Lexy Gavin-Mather