Poker expert Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams dismantles the top three poker myths that hinder your success. Learn why conventional strategies may be costing you at the tables.
Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams: Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is a highly experienced and successful poker player, best known for his dominant performance in micro stakes online poker games. Starting with a modest bankroll back in 2004, Nathan quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately achieving some of the highest winnings in online poker history for small and mid stakes. His approach to the game is highly analytical and businesslike, treating poker more as a business venture than a mere game. Nathan is also a three-time best-selling poker author, with notable works such as 'Crushing The Microstakes', where he shares his strategies for dominating lower stakes games. He believes in adapting strategies to the level of play, often critiquing the one-size-fits-all advice of small bet sizes and advocating for larger bets in games with less skilled opponents willing to call more. He is also an advocate for fast play over slow play in small stakes games and emphasizes the importance of table selection in enhancing one's win rate in poker. Nathan has leveraged his poker success to achieve financial freedom and has been traveling the world for over a decade, all the while teaching others how to replicate his success in the game.
Bet Sizing in Lower Stakes: Avoid making small bets in low limit games; charge what your opponents are willing to pay, even if that means betting larger than conventional advice suggests.
Slow Playing Mistakes: Refrain from slow playing in small stakes games, as it limits the pot size unnecessarily; instead, bet aggressively when you have strong hands to build bigger pots.
Game Selection and Table Research: Do not play in random poker games; choose your tables wisely by researching and selecting games with recreational players who exhibit clear fundamental mistakes.
Myth about Small Bets: Explains that small bets in low limit games are a common mistake because opponents are often willing to call much larger bets, leading to more significant profits.
Myth about Slow Playing: Argues that slow playing in small stakes games is suboptimal because many players love to call, which means slow playing results in winning smaller pots rather than maximizing value when players have strong hands.
Myth about Playing in Random Games: Advises against playing in random poker games without analyzing the player field, emphasizing that playing against weaker, recreational players is a better strategy for making money in poker.
Business Approach to Poker: Highlights the importance of treating poker like a business, making decisions that are economically sound, like charging customers (opponents) the maximum they are willing to pay.
Betting Strategies: Advocates for larger bets in favorable situations, such as when holding strong hands against opponents likely to call, and explains the snowball effect of bet sizing on the pot size.
Hand Example Analysis: Provides examples with specific hands (ace-queen offsuit and pocket threes) to illustrate why betting big and avoiding slow play can be more profitable.
Poker as an Investment: Draws parallels between poker and business/investing, suggesting that players should do their research and select games with the best potential return, similar to choosing investments.
Poker Tools and Resources: Mentions tools like PokerTracker and the availability of resources such as strategy books and training courses to help players make informed decisions and improve their game.
This article is a summary of the video EVERYTHING You've Been Taught About Poker IS WRONG! by BlackRain79Poker published on August 03, 2022 at 13:44:54.
Q: How do I determine the appropriate bet size in poker? A: Consider your opponents' tendencies and the stakes of the game. In low limit games, you should be prepared to make larger bets if you believe your opponents are willing to call because undercharging can lead to missed profits. Adjust your bet size based on the perceived willingness of your opponents to call and the value of your hand.
Q: Is slow playing an effective strategy in small stakes games? A: Slow playing is often not effective in small stakes games because many players are call-happy and willing to build bigger pots. By slow playing, you risk winning smaller pots instead of maximizing your potential gains. It's generally better to play your strong hands aggressively to build the pot when you have the advantage.
Q: Why should I avoid playing in random poker games? A: Playing in random games, especially without considering the skill level of your opponents, can reduce your chances of winning. Instead, seek out games with a higher proportion of recreational players who may make more mistakes, allowing you to capitalize on those errors. Use tools like PokerTracker or observe the game to identify the presence of recreational players before joining.
Q: What is the snowball effect in poker bet sizing? A: The snowball effect refers to the idea that the size of your bets early in a hand can significantly impact the pot size on later streets. By betting larger amounts when you have a strong hand, you can build a larger pot, which then allows you to bet even more on subsequent streets, increasing your potential winnings.
Q: What is fast play in poker and how does it relate to slow playing? A: Fast play in poker means playing your strong hands aggressively rather than trying to disguise their strength, which is referred to as slow playing. Fast play encourages bigger pots when you have a strong hand by capitalizing on opponents' tendencies to call bets. By doing so, you maximize your potential earnings rather than missing out on value by slow playing.
Q: How can I identify profitable poker games and avoid random ones? A: To identify profitable games, use HUDs like PokerTracker to analyze potential opponents online or observe the table dynamics in live games. Look for indications of recreational players, such as frequent limping or poor hand showdowns. Avoiding random games and selecting ones with weaker competition will increase your chances of winning.