Uncover the top five missteps that mark the poker 'fish' from the 'sharks'. Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams reveals the plays that good poker players avoid and why avoiding these can lead to greater success at the tables.
Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams: Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is the creator of the BlackRain79Poker YouTube channel where he shares his expertise in poker strategy. He has a notable background in poker, having started from the bottom with a $60 bankroll in micro stakes games in 2004. Despite skepticism from others, he turned his initial investment into a 5-figure bankroll by 2007 and left his job to pursue poker full-time. Nathan has achieved some of the highest winnings in online poker history at small to mid stakes. He is also a 3-time best-selling poker author, with books that provide proven poker strategies drawn from over a decade of professional play. Nathan's achievements in poker have afforded him complete financial freedom and the opportunity to travel the world for over 10 years. He is dedicated to teaching others how to find success in poker, offering a free 'cheat sheet' and advanced courses through his BlackRain79 Elite Poker University. On social media, he actively engages with the poker community via Instagram and Twitter.
Hand Selection: Play only strong hands such as pocket pairs, most Broadway hands, strong suited connectors, and good suited aces while folding everything else to maintain a mathematical advantage.
Avoiding Unprofitable Bluffs: Do not attempt to bluff players who rarely fold, such as poker fish; instead, target tighter players who look for reasons to fold.
Making Informed Calls: Be cautious when calling with a top pair but a bad kicker, especially against competent players who bet across multiple streets.
Discerning Draws: Chase draws that can lead to the best possible hand (the nuts) and avoid chasing lower-end straights that are easily beaten by higher straights.
Pre-Flop All-In Strategy: In deep stack games, only go all-in pre-flop with premium hands like pocket aces, pocket kings, pocket queens, and ace-king, and avoid shoving with weaker hands that do not fare well against strong calling ranges.
Playing Trashy Hands: Highlights the mistake of playing low-value hands, suggesting instead to play strong hands like pocket pairs, Broadway hands, strong suited connectors, and good suited aces for a mathematical advantage.
Fish Bluffing Other Fish: Describes the futility of bluffing players who rarely fold and emphasizes bluffing tight players over recreational ones.
Calling Down with a Bad Kicker: Advises against calling multiple bets with hands that have an inferior kicker, especially against competent players who indicate strength over multiple betting rounds.
Chasing Bad Draws: Warns about the risks of chasing non-nut draws and the importance of understanding board textures to avoid costly mistakes when draws complete.
Going All In with Junk Preflop: Criticizes the decision to go all in with weak hands before the flop, recommending to only do so with premium hands like pocket aces, kings, queens, and ace-king in deep-stacked games.
Managing Tilt: Briefly touches on the behavioral aspect of poker by mentioning 'tilt', which refers to the emotional frustration that can lead to poor decision-making.
Tournament Strategy Adjustments: Makes a distinction between cash game and tournament play, noting that going all in with a wider range of hands can be appropriate in the later stages of a tournament.
This article is a summary of the video 5 Things Only Poker Fish Do by BlackRain79Poker published on January 16, 2024 at 14:40:22.
Q: How do I determine which poker hands are worth playing? A: Focus on playing strong starting hands such as pocket pairs (aces down to twos), most Broadway hands (King Queen, King Jack, Queen Jack), strong suited connectors (like Jack 10 suited, 10 9 suited, 9 8 suited, 8 7 suited), and good suited aces (like A7 suited, A6 suited). Fold everything else to maintain a mathematical advantage.
Q: When is the right time to bluff in poker? A: Avoid bluffing players who are less likely to fold ('fish'). Instead, target tight players who look for reasons to fold. When bluffing, do it with consideration for the board texture and your opponent's potential holdings. Give up on bluffs against players who are calling down with a wide range.
Q: How should I adjust my play based on my position when holding top pair with a mediocre kicker? A: When you hit top pair with a mediocre kicker on a dry board, it's often better to call rather than raise, especially against decent players. Raising might only get you action from hands that dominate yours, while calling can keep weaker hands in play. Evaluate the strength of your kicker and proceed with caution if facing aggression.
Q: How do I assess the strength of my draws in poker? A: Only chase draws that can lead to the nuts or one of the best hands possible. Avoid chasing non-nut draws, especially if they can lead to you having an inferior hand on the river. Learn to read board textures and aim for the higher end of straights to ensure your draw, if it hits, is the best one.
Q: How can I manage tilt and emotion while playing poker? A: Recognize the signs of tilt, such as frustration or impulsive decision-making. Take breaks when necessary, maintain a level head, and avoid going all-in with suboptimal hands due to emotional reasons. Developing a disciplined approach to the game can help control emotions and prevent tilt.