Nathan Williams, aka 'BlackRain79,' reveals the top five worst poker hands you should stop playing to prevent unnecessary losses. Steering clear of these hands could be the key to boosting your poker profitability.
Nathan Williams: Nathan Williams, known in the poker community as 'BlackRain79,' is a highly successful poker player who began his career with a modest bankroll and has become one of the most prolific winners in online poker history at the small and mid-stakes levels. Starting with just $60 in the micro stakes games in 2004, he faced skepticism but proved his detractors wrong by achieving substantial success. By 2007, Nathan was playing poker full-time as a professional, thanks to his five-figure bankroll. He has also authored three best-selling poker strategy books that reflect his deep understanding of the game and his ability to teach others. Nathan's experience as a poker educator includes working with many amateurs, which has given him insight into common pitfalls and strategies that hold players back. He is well-known for his comprehensive approach to the game, focusing not just on technical skills but also on the psychological aspects of poker. His educational content, including his free poker 'cheat sheet' and the Elite Poker University, showcases his commitment to helping others achieve success in poker. Nathan shares his knowledge through his YouTube channel, BlackRain79Poker, where he offers strategy advice and tips for players looking to improve their game.
Avoiding Costly Hands: Refain from playing low-value hands that look appealing but frequently result in losses, such as low suited connectors and poor kickers.
Positional Awareness: Only consider playing traditionally weak hands like ace-deuce suited when in highly profitable positions like the button or the small blind.
Understanding Top Pair Value: Be cautious of hands that make top pair with a poor kicker, as they often lose to hands with better kickers like ace-jack or king-queen.
Recognizing Dangerous Draws: Avoid chasing inside straight draws with hands like ace-deuce suited, as they rarely succeed and can lead to the 'ass end' of the straight.
Hand Selection Pre-Flop: Fold hands like 5-3 suited or 6-7 suited in early position to avoid playing large losing hands over the long run.
Assessing Personal Hand Performance: Review your own poker hand history to identify which hands are consistently costing you money and adjust your play accordingly.
Introduction: Nathan Williams discusses common mistakes by poker amateurs, specifically focusing on the top five worst poker hands that lead to losses.
Fifth Worst Hand - Ace-Deuce Suited: Highlighted as a problematic starting hand due to its low kicker and the danger of chasing weak inside straight draws.
Fourth Worst Hand - King-Jack Suited: Described as a hand that can lure players into difficult situations due to its seemingly strong top pair potential, which often loses to better kickers.
Third Worst Hand - Jack-9 Suited: Criticized for making a poor top pair and the worst end of a straight, leading to losing big pots against stronger hands.
Second Worst Hand - 5-3 Suited: Advised against due to its tendency to chase bad draws and the high risk of losing with low-value flushes or pairs.
Worst Hand - 6-7 Suited: Considered highly troublesome due to low potential for top pairs and straight draws, as well as vulnerability to higher flushes.
General Advice: Recommends folding these hands in early positions but acknowledges their playability in late positions like the button or small blind.
Additional Resources: Offers a poker cheat sheet and invites viewers to share their own challenging hands in the comments, also encouraging viewers to follow his content for more poker strategies.
This article is a summary of the video Stop Playing These 5 Poker Hands (Costing You Money!) by BlackRain79Poker published on July 23, 2021 at 12:04:48.
Q: Why should I avoid playing ace-deuce suited in poker? A: Ace-deuce suited is often overvalued due to its flush potential, but it has the weakest kicker, which can lead to losing to better aces. Additionally, chasing inside straight draws with it is statistically disadvantageous.
Q: How can I avoid losing money with hands like King Jack suited? A: Be cautious with King Jack suited as it often results in a deceptively strong top pair but loses to stronger kickers like King-Queen or Ace-King. Fold in early positions and be wary of re-raises pre-flop.
Q: What makes Jack-9 suited a problematic hand? A: Jack-9 suited can lead to making the lower end of straights and can result in losing to higher straights or flushes. It's best to play this hand selectively, particularly in late position when fewer opponents are left.
Q: Why should I be careful with small suited connectors like 5-3 suited? A: Small suited connectors often lead to chasing unprofitable draws, have low top pair value, and can easily be outflushed. These hands are generally long-term losers and should be played sparingly.
Q: Is 6-7 suited a good hand to play? A: Despite its appeal, 6-7 suited tends to be a losing hand over the long term. It makes weak top pairs and is prone to making lower flushes that lose to higher flushes. Exercise caution when playing this hand.
Q: How important is positional awareness when selecting hands in poker? A: Positional awareness is crucial in hand selection. Some hands may be playable in late positions like the button or small blind but should be folded in early positions due to increased likelihood of encountering stronger hands.
Q: What should I do if I tend to overvalue my hand strength? A: It's important to evaluate the relative strength of your hand against potential opponent holdings. Consider factors like kicker strength, board texture, and opponent betting patterns before proceeding with a strong commitment to the pot.