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My name is Nathan Williams but I am better known in the online poker world as ”BlackRain79” I have some of the highest winnings in online poker history in the lower stakes poker games. I am also a three-time best selling poker author: 1. ”Crushing the Microstakes” 2. ”Modern Small Stakes” 3. ”The Micro Stakes Playbook” Lastly, I am also the founder of the #1 small stakes poker strategy blog in the world, www.blackrain79.com That is where you will also find my popular free poker ”cheat sheet”. My goal with this podcast is to teach you how to start consistently winning big in small stakes poker games. I release new podcast episodes every single week. So make sure you follow so you never miss my latest podcast! All the best at the poker tables.
Episodes

Friday Feb 09, 2024
5 Poker Hands EVERYONE Messes Up (Fix This Now)
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
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In this practical and insightful podcast, professional poker player Nathan Williams educates on the five most misunderstood poker hands that are often played incorrectly, leading to significant losses. Having navigated the world of poker for over 10 years, Nathan shares his veteran insights garnered from coaching hundreds of students. He dives into specific scenarios, illustrating common blunders and shedding light on how to fix these potential mistakes.
From the overestimation of Ace Jack suited to the misuse of pocket threes, Nathan walks you through a step-by-step understanding of how to play them right. Further, he explores the strengths and pitfalls of ace three suited, 7-6 suited, and the often-wronged, pocket queens.
The discussion provides a wealth of information not only on these five specific hands but also about the importance of understanding board reading, playing cautiously, and utilizing player types and ranges.
This episode is a valuable learning tool for both beginner and experienced poker players aiming to refine their game and make the most out of every hand. With explicit examples and careful consideration of poker tactics and psychology, you will learn critical strategies for key game moments.
Interested in upping your poker game? Tune in and gain an edge over your poker opponents right now!

Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
World-Class Tips for Enhancing Your Game
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
In this riveting podcast episode, you're guided by poker expert Nathan through nine strategic techniques designed for advanced players committed to attaining world-class results. Nathan goes beyond the basics, delving into advanced poker strategies sure to elevate your game.
Commencing with the highly profitable strategy of double barreling weak regulars, he presents a plethora of ingenious bluffing opportunities for higher stakes. The episode then evolves into how to effectively four bet bluff your suited aces, with Nathan extolling scenarios perfect for this approach.
Further in the episode, Nathan shares expert advice on deploying the double float technique against aggressive regulars and how to exploit three-bet light effectively against weak regulars by mixing up your game. He emphasizes selecting hands like a jack, ten of hearts for better winning potential.
Towards the end, the conversation analyses suitable hand candidates and underscores proficiency in good preflop starting hand selection charts. You are offered the perfect arsenal for both nine and six-player games as well numerous valuable insights into understanding your opponents and adapting your gameplay.
In the finale, the advanced strategy of a triple barrel bluff against weak regulars is detailed. Comprehending when to run a big bluff and the role of board runouts is emphasized for a significant enhancement of your game's success rate.
If you are serious about advancing your poker skills, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Make sure to subscribe as we release powerful episodes weekly. Visit our website to download the free poker cheat sheet and pave your way to becoming an unbeatable poker player.

Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
10 Beginner Poker Strategies EVERYONE Should Know
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
In this enlightening episode, Nathan divulges vital poker strategies targeted to assist beginners in enhancing their game. Through these comprehensive guidelines, you will decipher when to play, bet, raise and shove, backed by useful charts and explanatory diagrams. Nathan kicks off with an exhaustive discourse on poker hand rankings and underlines their fundamental importance for enthusiasts of the game. He further provides a quick reference chart covering the top 10 poker hands, from Royal Flush to High Card.
Moving beyond poker hand rankings, the discussion segues into hand selection, examining successful playing patterns in both six-player and nine-player games. Nathan urges emerging poker players to establish higher standards when selecting hands in games with more players, providing explicit stipulations on pivotal hands to play. After a segue into understanding the significant role of position in poker, in-depth strategies on raising preflop, punishing limpers, and pot control are unraveled.
Last but certainly not least, Nathan introduces the crucial poker tactics necessary for successfully managing the decisive stages of the flop, turn, and river. Using clear, theoretical examples, this insightful episode elucidates the intricacies of handling aggressive players, the merits of a flop continuation bet, and the potential benefits of bluffing on the turn. Moreover, the discussion underlines the importance of emotional control, acknowledging the statistical reality of inevitable occasional losses, regardless of the strength of your hand.
This episode is an unmissable guide for beginners seeking to improve their poker game and outmaneuver their competition.

Friday Feb 02, 2024
Top 5 Overlooked Yet Profitable Poker Hands
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
In this podcast episode, Nathan Williams discusses the five poker hands that are frequently overlooked, yet have proven to be highly profitable for him. This podcast episode details strategies on how to play these hands, including step-by-step examples and scenarios for each.
In descending order, he lists and gives tips on top poker hands. Starting from 10-8 suited, he illustrates its potential with examples showing how it can make a straight, a two pair, trips, flush and more, and how these hands can have an edge over beginner players. Another underdog hand he discusses is the 5-3 suited - a sneaky hand that can outperform, especially in deep stack games.
The podcast episode goes on to highlight the often overlooked pocket sixes. Narrator details a simple strategy of seeking to flop a set and leveraging this against recreational players. The fourth hand analysed is Ace-4 suited. Williams underlines its ability to make the best hand possible and why that’s vital for success.
Finally, Nathan shares his absolute profit machine hand – 7-8 suited. He elucidates why he loves suited connectors and one-gapper, and details scenarios that demonstrate their potential to win massive pots. In this analysis, listeners will understand why these hands are so powerful and profitable in poker games, particularly when stacks are deeper.
Listeners seeking in-depth poker strategies can grab Williams's free poker cheat sheet from his website, blackrain79.com, and can subscribe to his podcast for weekly poker tips and insights.

Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
5 BETTING Tips For Beginners (Just Do This!)
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Welcome to our latest podcast episode featuring professional poker player, Nathan Williams. In this episode, Nathan will share five essential poker betting strategies that every beginner should know. These tips will guide you on how much to raise pre-flop, bet on the flop, re-raise pre-flop, and raise. Plus, get an exclusive look at Nathan's secret thin value bet sizing used when he has top pair in the river, and they have middle pair.
In this easy-to-follow guide, Nathan starts with the fundamentals, such as buying in for exactly 100 big blinds, which is typically the maximum starting amount that you can buy in for most online and live cash games. Also, get insights into why you should always raise preflop and the ideal amount to raise. Nathan articulates poker betting theory and practice with a simple and engaging approach. He also shares strategic betting tips on both the flop, turn, and river.
The highlight of this episode is Nathan's explanation of the 50-75-75 rule, where you bet 50% of the pot on the flop, and 75% on the turn and river. He also explains the concepts of thin value betting and under what circumstances to employ this powerful strategy. His tips are meant to help you maximize your winnings and minimize your losses.
Whether you're a new poker player looking for basic betting strategies or an intermediate player seeking advanced tips, there's something for everyone in this episode. Tune in and improve your poker game today!

Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
The Proven Poker Tournament Strategy Most Don't Know
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
In this engaging podcast with professional poker player, Nathan Williams, you're provided with an in-depth guide on improving your poker tournament performance. Nathan shares three proven steps, borne out of a decade's professional experience, that will lead you to more consistent wins in poker. The detailed and comprehensive tips shared here debunk conventional wisdom, making this an essential listen for those looking to move away from potentially losing strategies.
Upon learning how to play loose and aggressively, Nathan stresses why investing an amount of money you are comfortable with and not scared to lose is crucial to your final standing in the game. He explains why fear puts many players at a disadvantage, leading them to play sub-optimally. Therefore, embracing a fearless approach early on can stack the odds in your favor, ensuring that you consistently strike fear into opponents.
Nathan also explores how you can leverage "the bubble," the moment in the game just before payouts occur. He emphasizes employing your chip stack advantage to your benefit by putting pressure on opponents hanging by a thread. Nathan's effective approach to exploiting this stage in the tournament can essentially help you win the entire event. This section of the podcast is a must-listen for those eager to master modern poker's complexities.
Lastly, pushing for the domination of the final table is something Nathan champions throughout the podcast. He argues that success in poker is firmly pinned on finishing first, second, or third as this is where the bulk of the prize pool usually goes. He provides insightful tips, coupled with relatable experiences, evoking a call of action to always play for the win. Nathan asserts that being greedy at the final table is necessary for a successful pro poker career.
Provided with numerous examples, cheat sheets, and advanced training in the Elite Poker Training University, this podcast episode serves as a comprehensive guide to winners in poker tournaments. Nathan's relatable narrative, contrary to mainstream advice, presents a refreshing perspective on maximizing winnings while playing poker. Learn and grow your poker skills with Nathan Williams via this vital poker strategy podcast.

Monday Jan 29, 2024
Mastering the River Bluff in Poker
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
In today's session, we go through an in-depth analysis of how to execute the flawless river bluff in a poker game. Nathan answers frequently asked questions by poker enthusiasts, especially on how to bluff the opponent confidently in a game with a missed draw on the river. This podcast episode offers insightful guidance on both the basic and advanced strategies that seasoned players can use to win their pot every single time.
It is essential to note that the discussed river bluff strategy requires an understanding of the game and might not be suitable for new or very low-stakes players. The biggest challenge low stake poker players face is their opponents' inability to understand sophisticated plays, making these bluffing strategies ineffective. Therefore, understanding your opponents’ skill level and thinking capacity is paramount to make these strategies work. This session uses a practical example to simplify the concept of bluffing.
Here, the discussion focuses on playing against a tight and aggressive regular (tag), one of the most formidable player types in poker games. The episode breaks down the bluffing process, starting with the decision to play nine, eight of hearts, and explains why each move is made. Nathan gives a well-rounded view of bluffing by discussing scenarios in which it works and when it doesn’t.
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of balancing your play ranges, especially when bluffing against high-level opponents. Towards the end, Nathan reveals three key considerations when executing a successful bluff: understanding your opponent, connecting the board with your range, and betting an amount that puts them to the test. These vital bluffing strategies will help you win pots, even when you don't necessarily have the winning hand.
For a more comprehensive grasp of bluffing in poker, check out the advanced training videos and other materials available on Nathan’s website, blackrain79.com. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to understand bluffing, this episode will provide insights to elevate your gameplay.

Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
5 Plays Good Poker Players Never Make
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
In this recent episode, your trusted poker coach, Nathan Williams, reveals the top five poker plays that successful poker players never engage in. Drawing on his 20 years of professional poker playing experience and coaching hundreds of players, Nathan counts down from five to one, carefully illustrating common yet detrimental poker practices via vivid examples.
Learn why chasing the bottom end of the straight is a mistake amateurs often make, and how even pocket aces are no match against the tactical plays of the tightest player at the table. He emphasises the importance of respecting the power of top pair and explains why even the best players avoid overplaying suited connectors.
The number one play to avoid? Bluffing the table maniac. Nathan shares how the key to outmanoeuvring aggressive players lies not in countering their bluffs with your own, but in allowing them to hang themselves with their own audacious strategies.
This podcast episode offers a granite foundation for anybody looking to improve their poker game by learning from the veterans of the field. Nathan's comprehensive strategy and instructive examples provide invaluable insights for players at all levels. Don’t miss out on this treasure trove of poker knowledge and strategies, tune in now!

Monday Jan 15, 2024

Sunday Jan 14, 2024