Join Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams as he reveals the top 5 poker plays that good players never make. Learn to spot these common errors and improve your game with professional insights.
Nathan Williams: Nathan Williams, also known as 'BlackRain79', is a highly experienced professional poker player and coach. With nearly 20 years in the game, he has coached hundreds of students and has played poker professionally for over a decade. Nathan is known for his expertise in small and mid stakes games, where he has achieved some of the highest winnings in online poker history. He is the author of multiple best-selling poker strategy books and is the creator of the BlackRain79 Elite Poker University. Through his content, Nathan aims to teach players how to crush poker games and achieve success in the sport. As a proponent of disciplined and strategic play, he provides insights into avoiding common mistakes made by amateur players and emphasizes the importance of understanding hand values and player tendencies at the table.
Avoiding Low-End Straight Draws: Do not chase the bottom end of a straight as it puts you in a vulnerable position against stronger hands.
Not Paying Off Tight Players: Be cautious when tight players make big bets or raises; they often have a very strong hand and you should consider folding unless you have a strong reason to believe otherwise.
Playing Top Pair Wisely: With top pair, especially in deep stack situations, play cautiously and be ready to check and call rather than raising big, as big raises isolate your hand against stronger ranges.
Handling Suited Connectors: Use suited connectors to flop strong draws or made hands, but avoid overvaluing top pair with these hands and instead opt for pot control.
Dealing with Aggressive Players: Against aggressive players, especially maniacs, let them bluff rather than trying to out-bluff them; check and call their bets when appropriate instead of re-raising without a very strong hand.
Play #5: Chasing the Bottom End of a Straight: Advises against chasing the lower end of a straight, often referred to as the 'idiot end', as it can lead to significant losses, especially if there's big action on the board.
Play #4: Paying Off the Tightest Player: Warns about the mistake of paying off tight players ('the nit' or 'rock') who typically have very strong hands when they bet big, especially on the turn and river.
Play #3: Overvaluing Top Pair: Recommends playing top pair cautiously, particularly in deep stack situations, and emphasizes the value of check-calling to extract maximum value from aggressive players while avoiding over-commitment to the pot.
Play #2: Overplaying Suited Connectors: Highlights the common mistake of overplaying suited connectors, stressing the importance of playing these hands for their potential to make big hands, rather than for top pair alone.
Play #1: Bluffing the Table Maniac: Discourages attempting to bluff aggressive players, suggesting instead to let them bluff and take advantage of their tendency to over-bet by check-calling.
This article is a summary of the video 5 AWFUL Poker Plays Only Newbs Make (Fix This Now) by BlackRain79Poker published on March 21, 2023 at 14:37:55.
Q: Why should I avoid chasing the bottom end of a straight in poker? A: Chasing the bottom end of a straight can be a mistake because you are often drawing to a hand that can easily be beaten by a higher straight, and you can end up committing too many chips when you are already behind.
Q: When should I consider folding against tight players? A: You should consider folding against tight players when they make large bets or raises on the turn or river, as these players often have the nuts or a very strong hand, and discipline is required to fold hands that are strong preflop but vulnerable postflop.
Q: How should I assess the value of top pair in a poker hand? A: To assess the value of top pair, you should consider the context of the game, including the betting action and the tendencies of your opponents. Avoid overcommitting with top pair, especially against deep stacks or in situations where your hand could be outmatched.
Q: What is the correct way to play suited connectors? A: The correct way to play suited connectors is to aim for drawing hands that offer significant potential, such as flushes or straights, rather than overvaluing top pair. Play these hands cautiously and be prepared to let them go if the action heats up and your hand does not improve.
Q: How do I handle playing against aggressive poker players? A: When playing against aggressive poker players, it's important to resist the urge to bluff back and instead let them bluff into your strong hands. Use a check-call strategy to give aggressive players the opportunity to hang themselves with their bluffs.