Discover the fundamental poker strategies for beginners with Nathan Williams' 'BlackRain79Poker' channel, guiding new players to profitable gameplay with easy-to-implement tips.
Nathan Williams: Nathan Williams, also known by his online persona BlackRain79, is a prominent figure in the online poker community. Starting with only $60 in micro stakes games back in 2004, he faced skepticism but persevered and became one of the highest earners in online poker history at small and mid stakes by 2007. He is known for his success in Texas Hold'em, particularly in online cash games. Nathan has authored several best-selling poker strategy books and created the BlackRain79Poker YouTube channel where he shares his insights and strategies. He also founded the Elite Poker University, offering in-depth poker training to help others excel in the game. His approach emphasizes tight-aggressive play, mastering hand selection, and understanding the psychological aspects of poker to exploit weaknesses in opponents' strategies.
Starting Hand Selection: Play a tight range of 15-20% of hands, including high pocket pairs, strong aces, suited connectors, and suited aces to maintain a mathematical advantage.
Raise First In (RFI) Strategy: Always raise when you're the first person to enter the pot, typically around three times the big blind, to take control and avoid limping, which shows weakness.
Flop Continuation Betting: Make a continuation bet (c-bet) around 50% of the pot on the flop as a default strategy to capitalize on the fact that opponents will miss the flop two-thirds of the time.
Handling Bad Beats: Never tilt against recreational players who play too many hands; maintain composure and understand that their mistakes and bad beats are what make the game profitable for you in the long run.
Double Barreling: Bet again on the turn (double barrel) against tighter players who are less likely to go to showdown without strong hands, forcing them to fold better hands due to risk aversion.
Starting Hand Selection: Advises playing a tight range of 15% to 20% of hands, including strong pocket pairs, ace high combinations, suited connectors, and suited aces to maintain a mathematical edge.
Pre-Flop Aggression: Recommends always raising first into the pot instead of limping to take control and convey strength, typically around three times the big blind.
Continuation Betting: Suggests making a continuation bet on the flop as a standard play to apply pressure, often around 50% of the pot size, exploiting the fact that opponents will often miss the flop.
Handling Bad Beats: Emphasizes the importance of staying calm and never tilting when suffering bad beats, especially against recreational players who play a wider range of hands.
Double Barreling: Introduces the concept of double barreling on the turn against tighter players who are reluctant to go to showdown without strong hands, as a way to make them fold better hands.
Skill Development Resources: Mentions the availability of free poker charts and cheat sheets, poker books, and advanced training through courses for those who wish to learn more detailed strategies.
This article is a summary of the video 5 Easy Poker Strategies EVERY Beginner Should Know by BlackRain79Poker published on May 10, 2023 at 15:52:10.
Q: What starting hands should I play as a beginner in poker? A: As a beginner, focus on playing a tight range of hands, including all pocket pairs, ace king down to ace ten, king queen, king jack, queen jack, suited connectors like jack ten of hearts, and suited aces such as ace seven of spades.
Q: What is the correct pre-flop strategy in poker? A: Always raise first in (RFI) when entering the pot pre-flop, typically around three times the big blind. Never limp into the pot, as this is a passive play that signals weakness and allows opponents to take control of the hand.
Q: How do I execute an effective continuation bet (c-bet)? A: After you raise pre-flop and take charge, continue your aggression post-flop with a c-bet of around 50% of the pot, even if you miss the flop. Most opponents will miss the flop two out of three times, and a c-bet can pressure them to fold.
Q: How should I handle bad beats in poker? A: When you receive a bad beat, stay calm and remember that recreational players (fish) are your main source of profit. Learn to handle losses with a positive attitude, as these players will hit their draws sometimes, but their overall strategy is not profitable.
Q: What is the best way to bluff against tight players in poker? A: To bluff against tight players, employ tactics like double barreling on the turn, especially when these players are unlikely to continue without a strong hand. By showing strength, you can encourage them to fold better hands due to their risk-averse nature.