Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams unveils a critical betting error many poker players make – double barreling with weak top pair hands. Learn how to avoid this mistake and save your bankroll in his step-by-step analysis.
Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams: Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is a professional poker player and coach known for his expertise in small and mid stakes poker games. Starting his poker career in 2004 with just $60, he quickly ascended to become one of the most successful online players in the small to mid stakes arena, boasting some of the highest winnings in online poker history in those stakes. He took the leap to play poker full-time in 2007 and has since achieved complete financial freedom through the game. Nathan is also a three-time best-selling poker author, with books like 'Crushing the Micro Stakes' and 'The Micro Stakes Playbook' to his credit, which help players eliminate 'fancy play syndrome' and adopt winning strategies. His BlackRain79Poker channel on YouTube is dedicated to providing educational content on poker strategy, where he shares his insights and tips for players at different levels. Furthermore, he has developed the Elite Poker Training University, a comprehensive course offering over 17 hours of advanced poker training. Nathan is known for encouraging a tight and aggressive or loose and aggressive style of play, as opposed to the passive styles often adopted by 'nits' or 'rocks' at the tables. With his extensive experience and a practical approach to the game, Nathan Williams continues to mentor and guide poker enthusiasts looking to improve their gameplay and achieve success.
Betting Strategy Mistake: Avoid double barreling with weak top pair hands on the turn and river as it can lead to a lose-lose situation where you fold out bluffs and only get called by better hands.
Understanding Opponent Types: Know how to play against tight and passive players (nits) who are common in low stakes games and avoid aggressive betting when they are likely to fold anything but very strong hands.
Continuation Betting: Make standard continuation bets on the flop when you have a strong hand like top pair, top kicker, without getting overly fancy, especially in small stakes games.
Assessing Turn Play: Consider the strength of your hand and potential hands your opponent could have. In some cases, checking behind with a hand like top pair, top kicker can be more profitable, allowing for deception value.
Deception Value: Check behind on the turn with strong hands against tight players to disguise the strength of your hand, potentially inducing lighter calls on the river.
Evaluating Board Textures: Be cautious on highly coordinated boards with many two pair and straight possibilities, and understand the likelihood of getting check-raised by a tight player with a strong hand.
Common Betting Mistake: Nathan discusses the frequent mistake of double barreling with weak top pair hands on the turn and river, which can be costly at the poker table.
Double Barreling: Double barreling is a strong play, but Nathan advises against using it with weak top pair hands, as it can lead to a lose-lose situation by folding out bluffs and only getting called by better hands.
Player Types - The Knit/Rock: He explains the characteristics of a 'knit' or 'rock' player, who is the tightest and most passive at the table, and the importance of knowing how to play against such players.
Continuation Betting (C-Bet): Nathan recommends a standard continuation bet when holding top pair, top kicker on the flop, as a straightforward play regardless of the opponent's player type.
Deception Value: He introduces the concept of 'deception value,' suggesting that by checking on the turn with top pair, a player can induce weaker hands to call on the river, increasing the value of the hand.
Board Texture Analysis: Nathan breaks down the dynamics of a highly coordinated turn board with multiple two pair and straight possibilities, which increases the risk of getting check raised.
Strategic Turn Play: He emphasizes the importance of having a clear 'why' behind every bet, especially on later streets, and when there is no value or believable bluff, checking is often the best play.
Educational Resources: Nathan mentions his books, 'Crushing the Micro Stakes' and 'The Micro Stakes Playbook,' as well as his Elite Poker Training University, which offers advanced training and strategies for poker players.
This article is a summary of the video Most Poker Players Still Make This Basic Betting Mistake by BlackRain79Poker published on September 28, 2022 at 10:45:03.
Q: What is the fundamental betting mistake many poker players make? A: A common mistake is double barreling with weak top pair hands on the turn and river, which can lead to folding out bluffs and only getting called by better hands.
Q: How should I adjust my play against tight and passive opponents like 'nits' or 'rocks'? A: Understand that 'nits' or 'rocks' play very few hands and are passive. You should bet against them when you have strong hands, but be cautious as they will often only continue with strong hands themselves.
Q: What should I consider when making decisions on later streets in poker? A: On later streets, evaluate the strength of your hand relative to the opponent's range. Consider the board texture, potential hands your opponent could have, and whether your hand can get value or successfully bluff.
Q: When should I go for value, bluff, or use deception value in poker? A: Go for value when you believe you have the best hand and can get called by worse. Bluff when you think you can make better hands fold. Use deception value, like checking to induce bluffs or calls, when you want to disguise the strength of your hand.
Q: How can I overcome Fancy Play Syndrome in low stakes poker? A: Avoid overcomplicating your strategy. Focus on straightforward, profitable plays, and make standard bets with strong hands rather than trying to be unnecessarily tricky.
Q: What should be my 'why' for betting in poker, especially on the turn and river? A: Your 'why' for betting should be to either get value from worse hands or to present a believable bluff. If neither is likely, it's often better to check and wait for a more favorable opportunity to bet.