5 Basic Poker Strategies EVERY Beginner Should Know

Summary

In this video, Nathan shares five essential poker strategies for beginners, based on his professional career. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, especially when missing a flop, and advises beginners not to force hands. He also discusses the power of position, particularly from the button, and the value of playing speculative hands. Nathan introduces the 'stop and go' strategy when holding top pair and highlights the importance of punishing limpers with strong raises. Lastly, he stresses getting three streets of value against weaker players and making consistent bets with strong hands.

Takeaways

• 😀 Do not force a bad hand. If you miss the flop, sometimes the best move is to check and fold against aggressive or recreational players.
• 😀 Understand that position in poker is crucial. The button position is the most profitable as you get to act last, giving you a strategic advantage.
• 😀 When in the button seat, play more speculative hands such as suited connectors or small pairs, and raise consistently to put pressure on opponents.
• 😀 Don't try to slow play a good hand. When you have top pair or a strong hand, make a standard bet instead of trying to trick your opponents.
• 😀 Use the stop-and-go strategy when playing against decent players. Bet the flop, check the turn to induce a bet, and then bet big on the river for maximum value.
• 😀 Against recreational players, don’t hesitate to bet aggressively at every stage of the hand, as they tend to call down with weaker hands.
• 😀 Punish limpers by raising the pot when multiple players just call the blinds. This increases your chances of taking control of the hand and gaining more value.
• 😀 When you have a strong hand, like Ace-Jack, always try to get three streets of value by betting the flop, turn, and river against weaker players.
• 😀 Avoid leaving money on the table by failing to extract value from weaker players when you have the best hand. Always bet for maximum value.
• 😀 Be disciplined and patient. Recognize when to give up a hand if it’s not worth continuing, especially when up against players who are unlikely to fold.

Q & A

Why should you not force a hand when you miss the flop in poker?

Forcing a hand when you miss the flop can lead to significant losses, especially against recreational players ('fish') who are likely to call down with weaker hands. It's important to recognize when you're behind and either check or fold, rather than try to push through with nothing.

What is a 'fish' in poker, and why are they difficult to play against?

A 'fish' refers to a recreational player who plays poker for fun and does not follow advanced strategies. They often call down bets with weaker hands, chase every draw, and make unpredictable moves, which makes them challenging and sometimes frustrating opponents, as they can give you bad beats.

What is the significance of the button in poker?

The button is the best seat at the poker table because it allows you to act last on the flop, turn, and river. This position provides a significant statistical advantage, as you can see how your opponents act before you make your decision, giving you more information to make better choices.

What are speculative hands, and when should you play them?

Speculative hands are hands that have the potential to hit a strong hand on the flop, such as suited connectors or low pairs. These hands are often played from the button because acting last allows you to take advantage of the position and control the pot with a wider range of hands.

What is the 'stop and go' strategy in poker?

The 'stop and go' strategy is when you check on the turn after making a bet on the flop, to give the impression that you don't have a strong hand. Then, you make a large bet on the river to capitalize on the deception, especially against thinking opponents who are likely to fold weaker hands.

How should you handle a situation where you have top pair and a decent opponent?

Against a decent opponent, you should check on the turn (after betting the flop) to induce a bet on the river. This tactic, known as the 'stop and go,' works by getting your opponent to think you don't have a strong hand, allowing you to make a large bet on the river and extract more value.

What is the correct approach when facing multiple limpers before the flop?

If there are multiple limpers (players who just call the blind), it's important to raise to a larger amount to take control of the pot. The recommended raise size is three to four times the big blind, plus one big blind per limper. This discourages others from calling and ensures that you are in control of the hand.

What is the proper strategy when you have a strong hand versus a recreational player?

When you have a strong hand, especially against a recreational player (a 'fish'), you should bet consistently on every street (flop, turn, and river). These players are likely to call down with weak hands, so you want to extract as much value as possible by betting big.

Why is it important to punish limpers, and how can you do so effectively?

Punishing limpers is important because they are not entering the pot aggressively, which means you can take advantage of this by raising to a larger amount. This discourages weak players from simply calling the blind and gives you control over the hand. Adjusting your raise size depending on the game (e.g., raising 10-15 times the blind in loose games) helps establish dominance.

What does it mean to 'get three streets of value' in poker?

'Getting three streets of value' means betting on the flop, turn, and river when you have a strong hand, especially against weaker players. You aim to extract as much value as possible by betting each street, knowing that fishy players are likely to call you down with weaker hands.