Nathan Williams, aka BlackRain79, unveils the critical preflop raising error countless amateurs make and presents the rules of thumb for proper bet sizing to dominate the poker tables.
Nathan Williams aka BlackRain79: Nathan Williams, known by his online moniker BlackRain79, is a highly experienced professional poker player and coach, particularly renowned for his expertise in small and mid-stakes games. He started his poker journey with a modest bankroll in 2004 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually leaving his job in 2007 to play poker full-time. Nathan has achieved record-breaking winnings in online poker at the small and mid-stakes levels. As an author, he has penned several best-selling poker strategy books, including 'Crushing the Microstakes,' which has been influential in the poker community. Nathan is also the creator of the Elite Poker Training University, where he provides in-depth strategies and cheat sheets for various poker game formats, including cash games, tournaments, and Zoom poker. He is dedicated to teaching others how to succeed in poker, providing resources like free poker cheat sheets and actively sharing his knowledge through his YouTube channel, BlackRain79Poker. His advice is centered around practical and statistical approaches to the game, emphasizing the importance of position and bet sizing, especially in the preflop stages of the game.
Preflop Raising Mistake: Avoid undersizing preflop three bets to prevent giving opponents cheap flops, especially when out of position.
Preflop Three Bet Sizing: Use a general rule of thumb to 3x the original raise when in position and 4x when out of position.
Understanding Position: Adapt your betting strategy based on your position relative to the button, raising more out of position and less when in position.
Goal of Preflop Raises: Aim for one caller at most from a preflop raise to maintain control and reduce complexity postflop.
Adjusting to Game Dynamics: Tailor your raise sizing based on the specific game and player dynamics, using larger sizing for looser games and smaller for tighter, more skilled environments.
Learning Resources: Utilize learning tools such as poker cheat sheets, books, and training courses to improve your hand selection and overall strategy.
Preflop Raising Mistake: Highlights the common mistake of undersizing preflop three bets, leading to too many callers and difficulty playing with strong hands like Aces or Ace-King.
Preflop Three Bet Sizing: Explains the rules of thumb for preflop three bet sizing: 3x the raise in position and 4x the raise out of position, to account for the statistical advantages or disadvantages.
Positional Advantage: Discusses the importance of position in poker, being last to act post-flop when in position, and how it should influence the preflop betting size.
Adapting to Game Dynamics: Advises adjusting preflop raise sizes based on the dynamics of the specific poker game being played, including the consideration of play money games, low stakes, or high stakes environments.
Learning Resources: Mentions resources like poker cheat sheets and books that offer guidance on what hands to play and the positions at the poker table, as well as the Elite Poker Training University for in-depth strategies.
Skill Development: Encourages experimentation with different raise sizes beyond the standard rules of thumb, stressing the importance of adapting to the game's context and the opponents' tendencies.
This article is a summary of the video The Basic Preflop Raising Mistake All Amateurs Make by BlackRain79Poker published on August 06, 2022 at 13:09:37.
Q: What is the common preflop betting mistake many poker players make? A: A common mistake is undersizing preflop three bets, leading to too many callers and diluting the strength of strong hands.
Q: How do I determine the correct amount to raise preflop? A: Your goal with a preflop raise is to typically get one caller or none at all. If you're getting too many callers, increase your raise size. Conversely, if everyone folds, consider decreasing your raise size or expanding your range.
Q: Why is positional awareness important in determining the size of my three bet? A: Position influences three bet size because being in position post-flop is a statistically proven advantage. The standard is to bet 3x the original raise in position and 4x out of position.
Q: How should I adjust my preflop betting strategy to different game dynamics? A: Assess the specific dynamics and player types in your game. Abandon rigid rules if they're not optimal and adjust your raise sizes as needed based on game flow and your table image.
Q: When should I be more aggressive preflop and when should I allow more players in for information? A: Be more aggressive when out of position to discourage many callers. When in position, especially with strong hands, it can be advantageous to allow a fish (recreational player) into the pot for more information and potential profit.
Q: Are there any general rules of thumb for preflop three betting? A: A rough guideline is to bet 3x the original raise when in position and 4x when out of position. However, adapt these sizes based on the specific dynamics of your game, as no two games are the same.
Q: Do preflop betting strategies differ between cash games and tournaments? A: Yes, preflop betting strategies can differ between cash games and tournaments due to varying game structures and dynamics. It's important to study and adapt to the specific format you are playing.