Discover the common poker mistake that's costing players big time and learn the step-by-step strategy to turn it around with Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams.
Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams: Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is an established poker player and coach known for his expertise in small and mid stakes poker games. He has a significant online presence, with a focus on teaching winning strategies through his YouTube channel, BlackRain79Poker. As a player, Nathan has a history of high winnings in online poker, particularly at the micro stakes level, and is recognized for his ability to turn modest beginnings into substantial success. He is also an author, having written multiple best-selling poker strategy books. Nathan offers an Elite Poker University course, providing advanced training and poker cheat sheets, to assist players in refining their techniques and achieving greater results at the poker tables.
Playing Small Pocket Pairs: Avoid overvaluing small pocket pairs (twos through sixes); they are generally not winning hands in the long run.
Positional Awareness: In full ring games, fold small pocket pairs from the first three seats (early position), but play them from any position in six max games.
Pre-Flop Strategy: Raise with small pocket pairs if you're first to enter the pot, and call a raise with the aim of hitting a set on the flop.
Handling Three Bets: Fold small pocket pairs when facing a three-bet pre-flop to avoid playing against a stronger range and losing more money.
Post-Flop Play: Refrain from bluffing when you miss the set on the flop as these hands have low equity; fold to bets unless you hit a strong hand.
Choosing When to Bluff: Select better bluffing candidates with higher equity, like hands that can form straight or flush draws, rather than small pocket pairs.
Small Pocket Pairs: Nathan discusses how small pocket pairs (pocket twos to pocket sixes) are often misplayed and misunderstood by many poker players, causing them to lose money over time.
Poker Strategy Misconception: Highlights that small pocket pairs are not winning hands in the long run and that players should use tools like PokerTracker to see the evidence of their performance.
Playing Small Pocket Pairs: Explains the need to play small pocket pairs to balance ranges and keep opponents guessing, but emphasizes using the right strategy when playing them.
Positional Play Recommendations: Recommends folding small pocket pairs in early position or under the gun in full ring games, while suggesting a more flexible approach in six-max or heads-up games.
Pre-flop Play: Advises players to raise with small pocket pairs if they're first to act and to call a raise pre-flop with the intention of hitting a set on the flop.
Handling Three Bets: Strongly advises against calling three bets with small pocket pairs, as this can be a significant leak in a player's game.
Post-flop Strategy: Discusses the biggest mistake post-flop, which is attempting to bluff with small pocket pairs that have missed the set, and advises folding when faced with aggression unless the set is hit.
Bluffing with Small Pocket Pairs: Warns players about the low success rate and high risk of bluffing with small pocket pairs due to their lack of equity when missing the flop.
Learning Resources: Nathan mentions his poker books, elite poker training university, and free poker cheat sheet as resources to learn more about effective poker strategy.
Video Engagement: Encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for more poker strategy content and to like the video if they find it helpful.
This article is a summary of the video Only 2% of Poker Players Play This Hand Right by BlackRain79Poker published on July 13, 2022 at 13:27:15.
Q: What are considered small pocket pairs in poker? A: In poker, small pocket pairs, or baby pocket pairs, refer specifically to pocket twos, pocket threes, pocket fours, pocket fives, and pocket sixes.
Q: Are small pocket pairs winning hands in the long run? A: No, small pocket pairs are not typically winning hands over the long run. You can use tools like PokerTracker to filter and check the performance of these hands and see evidence of their actual profitability.
Q: Should I always play small pocket pairs in poker? A: You should play small pocket pairs to balance your range and avoid being too predictable, but you must use the correct strategy for them, which includes knowing when to fold, raise, or call, especially in different positions and game types.
Q: How should I play small pocket pairs in full ring games? A: In full ring games, which are nine or sometimes ten player games, you should fold small pocket pairs from the first three seats at the table, also known as early position or under the gun.
Q: Is it advisable to call three bets with small pocket pairs? A: No, you should avoid calling three bets with small pocket pairs. When you raise pre-flop and then get re-raised, it's better to fold these hands as calling puts you against a superior range of hands, which is not profitable in the long run.
Q: What is the best postflop strategy with small pocket pairs if I miss a set? A: When you miss hitting a set on the flop with small pocket pairs, which happens about eight out of nine times, it's usually best to fold if faced with a bet. These hands are poor candidates for bluffing due to their low equity, as only two cards in the deck can turn the hand into a set.
Q: Why should I avoid running bluffs with small pocket pairs? A: Small pocket pairs are terrible for running bluffs because if you miss your set, you're often at a significant disadvantage. Most of the time, you only have two outs – the remaining cards of your pair in the deck – which makes it unlikely for you to improve and win the hand if contested.
Q: What's the rationale for playing small pocket pairs if they're not winning hands? A: Playing small pocket pairs is crucial for range balancing, which ensures you're not only playing premium hands like aces or kings. This strategy helps to keep opponents guessing and can make you action if they believe you're playing a wide variety of hands.