5 Poker Hands You're PLAYING WRONG!

Summary

In this poker strategy video, Nathan discusses the top five hands that players often mismanage, costing them significant money. He explains that Ace King is not a drawing hand but a strong one, advising a continuation bet post-flop. Pocket sevens can win without improving, and players should call, not raise, to keep potential bluffs in the game. Jack 10 suited should be played cautiously, folding to pressure from competent opponents. King Jack is often overplayed, and players should be wary of committing to large pots against tight opponents. Finally, Ace rag hands are generally weak and should be folded unless in a position to steal blinds, emphasizing the importance of understanding hand strength and playing accordingly.

Takeaways

• 🃏 Ace King is not a drawing hand and is one of the strongest starting hands; it's advisable to make a continuation bet post-flop.
• 🎰 Pocket Sevens can win unimproved; it's often better to call rather than raise when facing a bet on a flop without a seven.
• 🤔 Jack 10 suited is not a top pair hand; it's wise to fold against competent players who are betting aggressively post-flop.
• 🃅 King Jack is often misplayed; it's crucial to recognize when to fold this hand against a tight player who raises on a coordinated board.
• 👎 Ace Rag hands (Ace with a low offsuit) are generally weak and should be played cautiously; it's better to fold pre-flop unless in a position to steal blinds.
• 📉 The importance of understanding the strength of your hand in relation to the board and your opponents' potential hands.
• ✋ The significance of folding in poker, especially with hands that may appear strong but are vulnerable to better hands.
• 🚫 Avoiding the common mistake of playing big pots with hands that are not as strong as they initially seem.
• 💡 The value of recognizing when to apply pressure with continuation bets and when to back off and call.
• 🔑 Keeping in mind the potential bluffs in your opponents' range and how to manage your hand accordingly.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Nathan?

The main topic of the video is about the top five poker hands that players often play incorrectly, which can lead to significant financial losses at the poker tables.

Why does Nathan consider Ace King not a drawing hand?

Nathan explains that Ace King is not a drawing hand because it is a nut no pair hand. It means that when holding Ace King and no one else at the table has a pocket pair, Ace King is the best hand due to starting with the two highest cards, giving a significant advantage.

What is the strategy Nathan suggests for playing Ace King post-flop?

Nathan suggests making a continuation bet post-flop with Ace King to apply additional pressure on opponents, as it is ahead of any unpaired hand on the board.

How does Nathan view pocket sevens in poker?

Nathan believes that pocket sevens can win unimproved, contrary to the common belief that a set (three sevens) is necessary to win big with this hand.

What mistake does Nathan often see players make with pocket sevens?

Nathan observes that players often make the mistake of raising with pocket sevens when a fish bets into them, which can lead to losing out on potential wins from bluffs or weaker hands.

Why does Nathan advise against raising with Jack 10 suited when hitting top pair?

Nathan advises against raising with Jack 10 suited when hitting top pair because it will only get action from better hands, and there's no benefit in playing a big pot with a hand that is good but not great.

What is the key takeaway when playing suited connectors like Jack 10 according to Nathan?

The key takeaway is to understand the real strength of the hand and to play a small pot when hitting top pair, as these hands are not suited for large pots against competent players.

Why is King Jack considered the most misplayed hand in poker by Nathan?

King Jack is considered the most misplayed hand because players often mistake a strong pair for a winning hand, especially on coordinated boards, where they can be significantly behind in the hand's strength.

What is the main issue with Ace rag hands according to Nathan?

The main issue with Ace rag hands is that they have a bad kicker, which means if you hit top pair and your opponent also hits top pair, you are likely to be behind because they will have a better kicker.

What is Nathan's overall advice for playing Ace rag hands?

Nathan advises against playing Ace rag hands in most situations, especially in tournaments or cash games, as they are often not strong enough to compete against competent players.