Join Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams as he reveals the three most common bad draws that amateur poker players chase and explains why pros choose to fold these hands.
BlackRain79: BlackRain79, whose real name is Nathan Williams, is a highly respected poker professional and coach known for his expertise in small and mid stakes games. With over 10 million hands played, he has a wealth of experience that he shares with his students and followers. As a three-time best-selling poker author, Williams has created some of the highest winnings in online poker history at the small to mid stakes levels. He started his journey with just $60 and by 2007 had turned it into a significant bankroll, allowing him to play poker full-time. His work includes providing a free poker 'cheat sheet', running the BlackRain79 Elite Poker University, and offering his best-selling poker strategy books to help others achieve success in the game. In addition to his educational content, he also recommends tools like PokerTracker to help players analyze and improve their game. Williams is not just a poker player but an influential educator in the poker community, helping others avoid common mistakes and refine their strategies for better results at the poker tables.
Avoid Baby Flush Draws: Avoid chasing flush draws with low cards like 5-4 of hearts as they come with reverse implied odds and can lead to significant losses.
Beware of Chasing the Bottom End of Straights: Be cautious with draws to the lower end of a straight, as they may result in losing to a higher straight, particularly when the board texture suggests other players may have better draws.
Gut Shot Straight Draws: Recognize that gut shot or inside straight draws have poor equity due to having only four outs, and chasing them often leads to second-best hands.
Understanding Reverse Implied Odds: Learn that reverse implied odds mean you are at risk of winning a small pot or losing a large one, which is a situation to avoid.
Chasing Draws to the Nuts: Aim to chase draws that lead to the nuts or at least strong contenders for the best hand to avoid being outdrawn or beaten by better hands.
Folding Poor Draws: Understand the importance of folding in certain situations to avoid getting unlucky, as professionals often avoid playing hands that lead to bad draws altogether.
Avoiding Bad Draws: Warns players against chasing certain poor draws that fail to maximize potential equity and often result in significant losses.
Baby Flush Draws: Advises against playing low suited connectors like 5-4 of hearts, which carry the risk of reverse implied odds and can lead to losses against higher flushes.
Bottom End of a Straight: Discourages players from chasing the lower end of a straight draw, such as with an ace-six hand, due to the vulnerability of being beaten by higher straights.
Gut Shot Straight Draws: Emphasizes the poor equity of inside straight draws (gut shots) and the danger of chasing them, especially when they could lead to a non-nut straight.
Understanding Board Textures: Highlights the importance of reading board textures to assess the strength of potential hands and make informed decisions.
Training Resources: Mentions resources like a free poker cheat sheet, PokerTracker, and an elite poker training university designed to help players make better strategic choices.
Player Psychology: Touches on the misconception held by some amateurs that their losses are due to bad luck or rigged games, rather than strategic missteps.
This article is a summary of the video 3 Bad Draws Only Amateurs Chase (Just Fold These!) by BlackRain79Poker published on October 10, 2022 at 14:00:27.
Q: How do I avoid the temptation to chase unprofitable draws in poker? A: To avoid chasing unprofitable draws, start by learning to identify which draws are worth pursuing. Avoid low potential hands like baby flush draws and instead aim for draws that can lead to the nuts or a strong hand. Practice discipline and fold when you're facing reverse implied odds or when your draw could lead to a second-best hand.
Q: What strategies can help me understand the strength of poker hands better? A: To better understand hand strength, study the long-term potential of different starting hands and the probabilities of making winning hands. Use poker hand charts and tools like PokerTracker to review your hands and learn from experience. Recognize that not all hands with potential, like small suited connectors, are profitable in the long run.
Q: How can I improve my ability to read board textures? A: To improve your ability to read board textures, practice analyzing the flop, turn, and river to understand the range of hands they could support. Pay attention to possible straights, flushes, and full houses. Consider enrolling in advanced poker training or using educational resources to learn how to read boards more effectively.
Q: How do I avoid situations with reverse implied odds? A: Avoid reverse implied odds by recognizing situations where completing your draw might result in a second-best hand. Fold draws that don't have the potential to be the nuts, especially against large bets or when facing aggressive action. Always consider the quality of your draw and the strength of possible opponent hands.
Q: How can I accurately assess my real outs in a poker hand? A: To accurately assess your real outs, consider not just the number of cards that can complete your hand, but also the quality of the hand you'll make. Use equity calculators to determine how your potential hand stacks up against likely opponent hands. Avoid overestimating your outs by considering the best possible hands on the board.
Q: What tips can help me discern when to fold in poker? A: To discern when to fold, evaluate the likelihood of your draw hitting and whether it will result in the best hand. Be wary of chasing gut shots or the lower end of straights and be prepared to fold when your draw is weak or when there is heavy betting action. Good fold decisions often come from experience and a solid understanding of hand ranges and board reading.