The #1 Skill to Improve Your Poker Strategy

[@chriscarleton141]

This seems so obvious but is actually fundamentally where I went wrong for so many years. The principle of not just giving people back hands you had discounted because a straight gets there on the river turned my game inside out. This video is very well produced and a sound foundation for poker at any level

[@ConsciousPoker]

Try it out. Excited for your progress!

[@davidr1620]

Hand reading is towards the top of the list. But hand in hand with that, what changed my game from me being a terrible, losing player to being a big winning player overnight was tightening up preflop from early and mid position. VPIP way less. Stop playing trash hands or speculative hands, especially in 3-bet pots.

[@davidboyd374]

100%. Right. When I do what you do. It works for me. I play mostly local tournaments and after 2 or 3 hours my brain goes to fuck and I lose. But....I have won many times. When I'm in the ball and thinking correct. Thanks for your truthful comments. Hopefully. I will remember more and keep it them in mind. More. Stay strong.🙂🙂

[@davidboyd374]

Hi I'm in Australia . And unfortunately haven't met anyone who can give me a better idea .how to play poker. I'm pretty certain I have the basic ideas about playing. But. If you can offer any other ideas. How to make winning moves. The last big tournament I played.was with 200 players. I got to the last 16 then.. I bet 3x preflop.KK. . 1. Caller. The flop Q64 I GO ALL IN. Get called . She has a pair of 2s. I'm KK goes to the river and a 2... She makes trip 2s. Personally. I couldn't believe. That she called my all in.. 😲😲😡😡 So any practical ideas Would be appreciated. Thanks Dave 🙂

[@davidr1620]

@@davidboyd374 that’s just part of the math. Your equity against her is about 82% in that hand, which means your opponent will win an all in almost 18% of the time. You’re killing her mathematically, but 18 times out of 100 feels like a lot when you’re on the losing end. Interestingly enough, if you had just 33 and she called with 22, your equity against her wouldn’t be much different from KK.

[@RM-lk1so]

Well said

[@RM-lk1so]

Ive heard ...dont use emotions

[@richardbarcaricchio]

It took me a long time to learn that poker is a game of working out the player's hand. Such an important video. Thanks Alec.

[@IndianIdiot602]

no one can make money on online poker, i was working for a poker website and 99% players are in koss at the end of the year

[@Shannon_Robbie]

@@IndianIdiot602 A guy on KZbin named Nathan Williams aka: BlackRain79 has tons of videos about how to make a profit in low stakes online poker. He says he makes a living doing it!

[@stevent425]

I have seen Alec a few times at the Commerce Casino. He is a stud I walked by once and he had a small mountain of chips, 2 hours later it was a giant mountain.

[@deansultani5433]

I know this is an older video, but thank you Alec, its very helpful. I hope to watch you final table again soon!

[@confesordelvalle2251]

Thanks for the info, I been trying to get my reading skills on point… some times I’m wrong but I think I do pretty good for most part…..

[@ConsciousPoker]

GL to you!

[@jasonsitu5287]

Some people will actually call the flop C bet in position with low card on the board for range advantage with any 2 cards to float. With the intention of pre flop raiser check and attack after sensing weakness

[@byronwilliams872]

When I first started playing poker I would call from under the gun with hands like Jack 6 off suit. My thinking was I know that they have Queens Kings or Aces so I can call with any two cards because I know what they have. I had so much success that I had to unlearn poker in order to be a successful poker player. I was a terrible player but I kept getting lucky. Now I am a much better player. Thanks for the videos

[@InternetLiJo]

Solid PDF to keep as a resource ! Thank you 💯

[@ConsciousPoker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lananavan1885]

Have some money so your not always buying in for minimum

[@maximusmaximus3632]

I also get told off for leaving really long voice messages...so I have learnt to consolidate information.....I feel this is a pertinent lesson...

[@not_a_cool_handle]

"Not calling the flop with any two cards" Laughs in 1/2 NL

[@williamsanchez9750]

Your marketing is on point. Honest businessman 💯

[@ConsciousPoker]

Thanks!

[@Sogenking]

Know whether ur opponent is new to the game. New people don’t usually bluff. Then dictate whether they are bluffing.

[@matthewriebel5792]

Maybe you could reason that there is a (say) 10% chance he would take a certain action with a certain hand. You think it is highly unlikely at that point that he has that specific hand, but subsequent actions might make it more likely.

[@asham17]

lol i was in on a hand with 9-2 off suit final table of a tourney and nailed a 9; it was great to show at showdown

[@lovetitleist69]

Alex, Gal plays 9 2 off at the Bike and the Hustler Casino. I've seen him play that hand at least three times.

[@tmichael8213]

Liked, subbed, downloaded. Fundamentals first!

[@ConsciousPoker]

Welcome aboard!

[@DesiRecipesReviews]

i didn't understand. How can range only narrower not wider? what if ....i am holding A J and flop is A 3 4 Turn is 5 then river J. This hand increased my range on river.....

[@director2bob]

I just found your channel and like your easy teaching style. I am interested in personal coaching as I am a 60 year old disabled dude and live off a fixed income SS disability check. I need to either get a part time job to supplement my disability check or become good enough to play low stakes and make an extra $2000 a month. I am going to book an assessment today and hope that includes a quick phone call with you. I just signed up for a 3 months of poker training with another YT pro but like your style a tad better and enjoy your videos. I have a 7 day free trial which I am going to cancel today. Thanks for the videos you post. They are very helpful.

[@ConsciousPoker]

Thanks Bob, appreciate the support. I believe you emailed me, but I haven't had the chance to check yet. Will try to get to you this week!

[@steelr8716]

"People don't play 9-2 off suit." I literally witnessed a guy go ALL IN with 9-2 off suit pre-flop for over $400 on a 1/3 NL table. He got called by A-10 suited and won with trip 9's. So, slow down with speaking in absolutes champ.

[@dango470]

These guys are why we play the game

[@lmylemuel]

I would play those odds back to back to back to back if able. When they open wide… all an actual player has to do is loosen up just enough to catch him slippin

[@jonathonkeating8657]

So because you saw it once means that he's wrong? You obviously aren't a winning poker player saying dumb shit like that

[@steelr8716]

@@jonathonkeating8657 Yes. All it takes is one instance contrary to an absolute statement to make it incorrect. So, yes, he is wrong. We’ve all seen plays that shouldn’t be done all the time. Read the other comments, others testified to witnessing the same thing. Whole point is that it wouldn’t have been a wrong statement had he said “People SHOULDN’T play that hand.” or even “MOST people don’t play that hand.” I agree with Dan Go. Reckless players contribute to my overall winnings in poker plenty. You should calm down, too.

[@dango470]

@@steelr8716 calm down bro this isnt philosophy class or debate club. people make "absolute" statements all the time when they mean a more general statement.

[@rubberroast1598]

hand ranging is more straightforward when you really have a strong hand that only 2,3 or 4 types of other hands can beat. Like i have middle straight, but only two other hands that make higher straight win......did they play those hands that way thought out??? Much simpler than if i have a made hand like Top pair with King Kicker. Now there are so many other hands that can beat it, how do you re construct every action on every street for every possible hand he could have? If he just called my button raise from bb, I have KT on a T483 board and hes been calling...How can i eliminate and of T8, J9, JQ, 97, 56, 43, any broadway hand??? Becomes such a crapshoot........

[@JeffMartin84]

Using this thought process makes every decision so easy late in hands. I will say I made it 7x in a 1/2/5 hand two days ago and got rivered by 57dd so people definitely play wide.

[@tazkwondo]

Long term, this is a losing strategy for them. You can also employ pot control so that these maniacs don't bust you with a high frequency. I do get what you are saying

[@bxball]

How many bumps were taken before this recording?

[@643doubleplay9]

Lol 2

[@CoachForsyth]

If you would consider doing a nube series...You will gain allot of new people...This has to be a weekly cycle for you, if you do not do this you will maintain and lose clients...A ton of people love playing poker online, but if you think you are helping by overloading them with terminology/ buzz words and they never have the basic grasp, you will loose in the long run, but what do I know...lol

[@RM-lk1so]

I agree. Ive played ALOT of free online poke and do pretty decent. Looking to begin my STUDIES. WOULD LIKE TO EARN some passive income playing a game I love

[@EHenterprises]

Hand reading is all well and fine. But how can you know your opponents range if you've only been in 5 or 6 hands with them. It almost seems like you have to be some kind of computer to memorize other people's previous play. Hand reading is my worst poker attribute. I need all the help I can get with it. Any advice from other watchers of your show are appreciated.

[@sabrah01]

Hi I recently played 80/160 Limit Holem in bay area, a guy was aggressive and he reraised in preflop, bet on flop and bet on turn and bet on river, when the board had a possibility of straight and flush, but he just had ace queen off suit. not even connected to the board. And he does this every hand he plays. And sometimes I have seen him with AAs and wins a hand too. How do you read such a player??

[@SmackingEverything]

at that point I wouldn't call him unless I had a higher flush

[@jangie162]

To win against him wait til you have a strong hand, let him play aggressive and hang himself

[@danielbaggett2756]

Do you know what the term low hanging fruit means? Jus sayin'

[@hokageenergy9599]

What site do you recommend for online poker for 2nl and forth

[@director2bob]

I always watch a video before I sit down at the felt. In a Texas card house now ready to crush the $1 $2 game with $300 buyin. So thanks for video. 🙏

[@ConsciousPoker]

Awesome, good for you!

[@jamestan4425]

How much to you charge i want full time coach . I want to play heads up witn wesley and ben

[@ChinoD99]

good knowledge ! Thanks!

[@ChrisM-wv4gs]

Dont think Alex has ever played online micro stakes. Dont think they can have 64 in a 3bet pot think again.

[@josephgreen2008]

You are one of the nice guys in Poker Alec Appreciate you man.

[@ConsciousPoker]

Thanks Joseph, appreciate you too!

[@mothecat776]

ALEC. I recently played in a $1-3 game with a player that had $2,000 in his stack (carry over Sat-Sun session) others also had LARGE stacks. This player never folded or considered folding for any bet less than $60. VPIP 95%. Another would call most bets on the BUTTON maybe 75% fishing for 2-pairs .... How do you read "THOSE guys" They might play J6off 92suited 43offsuit... THANKS maybe better try not to read "maniacs"???

[@ConsciousPoker]

I play more straightforward, play strong hands for value, and make them show me a hand when they're betting.

[@RM-lk1so]

Yep. Their BLIND SEEKERS. keep folding. My play is...once in while bet even if u know u may loose. Keep the opponent guessing. Control the thoughts of your opponent

[@vevhat]

I wanna become a full time poker tournaments. I just quit my 16 years jobs N now I can't find any job that I enjoy....I love playing poker tournaments tho. Should I take out money from my 401k and try out. I have about 130k in there....

[@donpickett202]

no,no,no, build a bankroll and NEVER USE YOUR "BILL" OR "SAVINGS" money to play poker, ever!

[@dougs55]

Nooooo !!!!!!!!!!

[@vevhat]

@@dougs55 why not?

[@B0bi_007]

just put it all on black on roulette and make it 802k

[@ConsciousPoker]

Wouldn’t recommend it to be honest. Check out the blogs on ConsciousPoker.com for best practices, bankroll management, etc. After, I highly recommend Alecs Academy to help you build a solid, sustainable poker business plan. Learn more at Alecs.Academy

[@MrBleedk]

I stacked with 92o...(we played 100bb deep) Raised/3 bet pre flop... flop came A9X, he checked to me i bet and he called. Turn came another 9, he donk bet and i raised, he went all in... I called, he had AK and he was so angry and sad (thats why i remember the hand) :D I even told me it was my birthday hand (just as an excuse) :D HE said he knew I had garbage :)

[@natashabhagat5869]

I love you! Such a genius

[@jangie162]

#1 winning tip. Its simple guys. RUN GOOD

[@CobraQuotes1]

In my experience it is very difficult to read your opponent’s hand most of the time

[@fadiazzam1576]

That's why he is telling you ranges

[@MrBigdamo26]

Alex can you talk about the difference of online poker vs live poker

[@BuckeyeNut123]

Thank you

[@dango470]

I play 92o all the time :) From the button, trying to steal

[@bloodgoast]

Very usefull info but i can say if you have 9'2 off only play it when you are "CHECKING" the big blind then you can make your move from there but dont be a lucy goosie

[@RM-lk1so]

ABSOLUTELY

[@ItsEverythingElse]

Good advice overall but there are times when you think you eliminated hands but yet they actually have them. Happens a lot and that's where the money is made, and lost.

[@ConsciousPoker]

Yup, that's where the arts meet the science.

[@Eagles_Eye]

Link no longer works :(

[@ConsciousPoker]

Thanks for that. I have to fix all of these. Simply visit www.consciouspoker.com and click on "Programs". Then you can find all the free or paid ones there!

[@GregoryZ75]

nah I play with stupid people who absolutely call pre-flop raises with trash hands like 4-7o. it's 6-8 handed, and 4-5 people call so some call with great hands and some call with trash hands, but you're almost always beat no matter what you have. somebody catches a straight or flops a random two-pair. it's good poker advice in general but doesn't account for home games where people play like idiots and you're basically just gambling on a crapshoot every hand. i wouldn't even mention this though, since it's not the norm, if you didn't specifically say these scenarios "don't happen" cuz they do. every week. lol

[@RM-lk1so]

ABSOLUTELY... you called that straight. Their freaking IDIOTS. I CALL THEM OUT AND LEAVE THE TABLE. or. .. I see the opportunity to TAKE THEIR CHIPS. remember, its a marathon for the better players. Hild back the emotions and just make em cry when allow them to give their chips to you... Lol

[@vigiracer]

best is to go by a range

[@skrtskrt925]

if i could only know what hand my opponent is bluffing or raising with. 🙂

[@RM-lk1so]

It all about bet history and tracking the hands that winn and loose. The problem with free poker is that far too many people leave and arrive

[@johnpapa4591]

I played 1/2 at my local casino. Raised preflop to 15$, 4 callers. Bet the flop $20. Only one calls. Turn comes making 8/5 a straight. I only have $60 left in my stack so I all in. He calls he has 8/5 off suit calling all that way. I had top two pair … is that a me issue or low stakes issue. Feels like the video goes against this

[@Beanmachine91]

to me its a strategy video game and athletic sport

[@jasonhounsell3297]

😂😂 Ok to win at poker…. Know what your opponent has 😁 Alec you could literally answer “know what your opponent has” to any problem on poker except bad luck 😂

[@jasonhounsell3297]

@@ConsciousPoker Next video - The number one tip to play chess better. Make better moves 😂

[@CobraQuotes1]

jason hounsell number one tip to winning in basketball: become very athletic

[@KrisAllenZabate]

😂😂 this hand reading is the same as "i knew u had" (but called anyway) 😂😂

[@aliroostaei9122]

Sir with all due respect, I've seen people go all in with 83o preflop, just because the stakes were low and they were going for the fun and the excitement of gambling.

[@jihad4realniz]

True but against These Players just play a very tight Range and just call them with very strong Hands were you a huge Favourit Of course sometimes you will Lose but in the long Run you will be the Winner more often But have in Mind its still Poker and any 2 Cards can win and crack the AA or KK but like i said in the long Game you will be the Winner

[@ConsciousPoker]

THIS.

[@RM-lk1so]

Bingo players. I call them Blind seekers

[@pot_kivach160]

4:15

[@pot_kivach160]

0:52 👍

[@cheekybirdierichard]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes

[@janvdplaat3067]

Theoretical correct, but useless. Even if the villain has only a few possible hands left that could make him raise at the river, and a lot of bluffs (missed flushes and straights) what do you do after a bet on the river? According to your theory you should call all bets, because you narrowed down his hands to a few possible hands. Negreanu formulated the answer to betting by the villain on the river as follows: When someone bets the river he calls big bets only with verry good hands and he calls almost everything after a small raise. So you don't get "exploitable".

[@CorporalPoon]

i don't put flour in a funnel to make a cake. 😢

[@anthonyogletree6660]

#1 skill to improve by a HUGE MILE is the mental game of poker. It's not even close. You can be the best player and it won't mean crap if you can't control stuff like tilt and discipline.

[@ConsciousPoker]

Well said, it's a huge focus of my trainings and personal process.

[@elie6769]

Read your opponents hands

[@MrBigdamo26]

Online poker having pockets Aces and Kings get cracked more

[@ConsciousPoker]

You just see it that way cause you get dealt more hands. I have a video coming about this.

[@ItsEverythingElse]

People don't play 92o? I got knocked out of a tourny by someone calling my all in with T3o.

[@raiderpoker1670]

🔥

[@davidboyd374]

Haha In theory this is all great. But 99% of players including my self are amateurs.and play ANYTHING.!!!. how do you read ANYTHING.??? now I don't play so called professional poker.. Most people DON'T. but I have watched many professionals playing poker And they have no f....king idea what they are playing against. So what am I saying. Ok. Unless you're a complete shit poker player . Then just do the best you can and hope that in the time that you are playing at that table.. THEN LADY LUCK IS WITH YOU.!! . why do people love selling courses on how to win at poker. Well it's the same reason a music teacher does. BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY THROUGH TRYING TO TEACH THE SHIT !!! than actually. Doing it.. EVERYONE WANTS TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO SHIT. And some make great money doing it .. Just like ALEX. 😀😀😲😲

[@maximusmaximus3632]

I have never made a cake with a funnel..just saying...

[@thevoiceofreason5589]

But can I be all loosey goosey eating a sandwich?

[@dddon513]

No! That conveys information!

[@akulczyk86]

Lol people don't play 9 2 off suit.... You sir are wrong

[@kcl7676]

If I can read my opponents hands, I'll be the best poker player in the world.

[@emilsa488]

Well, this does not work when you play against fishes :D

[@IndianIdiot602]

how much you have lost so far, and working for living

[@ConsciousPoker]

I haven't lost, I've won!

[@IndianIdiot602]

@@ConsciousPoker poker player who is in profit dint do KZbin videos for another income bro

[@danielemerson6833]

Rambling Rambling Rambling and says nothing

[@saltwaterfisher1]

Uhm yeah, guy shoves where i play 62o. I would literally bet you cant beat the game i play at. It's impossible to hand read most people there. It's literally impossible to win without the absolute nuts. I will pay you to come play here.

[@chriscarleton141]

If a guy is shoving with literally anything as you say , then that would surely be relatively easy to play against. I used to think like you but since employing sound fundamentals I’ve discovered that in the long run the results turn around

[@wizard3117]

Matty: sounds like Texas poker lol

[@cheyennesouza7960]

Matty, I would be cautious about where your playing. If it seems as though it is the same group of people are doing this preflop, then you could be in a game of 3 card monte, where it is basically a scam. Otherwise, you have a chance of making good money. But you have to have the proper strategy. The way I would go about it is playing a wider range and accepting the varience. If it is a 1 2 cash game, rather than buying in for 200 to 500 bucks, you buy in for 75 to 100. Or if they are buying in for 100, you buy in for max and be willing to top off if you lose some hands. So if they are going all in pre with 62o, then you dont have to wait for a premium hand to play against them. You can play 78s. If they are literally going all in with any 2 cards, then you can call with a range that beats any 2 cards 60/40. Sure you will lose hands, but in the long run you will win. If they are "playing" the hand, then its good for you. You can expect that they have nothing or a barely marginal made hand most of the time. If you cant beat a barely marginal made hand then get out of the pot. If you can then stick around. Let them hang themselves. Sometimes they will beat you, but most times they wont. Alec has played high stakes in Macao. From what I understand, they are not tight agressive players and are probably playing closer to what they play in your game. The reason he can handle it is because he is properly bank rolled and knows that if he gets in 60/40 he is making money even if he loses a specific hand. If he stays with the game and plays a sound strategy he will make money in the long run. The tip Alec gave may not be all that valuable to you right now, but if you learn how to beat the game you are playing and move up in stakes, you will definitally want to utilize this tip. But try to start practicing now. I think in your game you can play any pair, any ace, any two broadway cards, suited connectors, most suited one gappers, and a few higher suited two gappers. This is about 30-35% of hands and is 60/40 % against any two cards with you being 60% favorite to win. But this changes dramatically when the pot is multiway. So if the games go multiway most of the time you want to tighten up in early position and play wider in position. Try to get in cheap and if you do not make something on the flop get out but if you make something with good equity stick around. Try to keep the pot small until you have the nuts and then try getting more money in. I would suggest watching Jonathan Little on YT. He loves playimg games with loose splashy players cause he can make more money playing poker. Although he doesnt play that much anymore since he concentrates on coaching, I think he would give the same advice.

[@stevent425]

@@chriscarleton141 you are exactly correct. I play semi professionally with patience you can overcome a lot.