In this episode, I answer three of your questions about apprehension about creating poker videos, how to use my show notes and improving your turn play.

If you missed it…

In episode 152, I discussed the importance of having a growth mindset within poker and when practicing your hand reading skills.

Q1: Reservations About Creating Poker Videos (2:15)

An email from MK:

Hello, Sky

After doing a few “game tapes”, I’ve been thinking to upload a few videos on YouTube.

My goal with this would be just to make some friends and connections with more advanced players to get feedback and just to get out of my comfort zone.  I hope that would help with self-confidence.

The problem is I have never done videos before except for the few “game tapes”.

It still feels very awkward and uncomfortable speaking to myself.  My English is not as good as I`d like it to be, my delivery is horrible, I contradict myself sometimes, it does not sound like I have any confidence in what I am saying and I feel insecure.

How would you go about it? Did you have any problems like that?  It seems to come naturally to you.

Any tips or suggestion to avoid embarrassing myself?  Or, am I overthinking it?

My Answer

A rule I try to live by: “Just do it.”

I had the same reservations you did when I started putting my stuff out there.

The longer you wait, the longer until you become comfortable with creating videos and putting yourself out there.

3 things for you to keep in mind:

1. You can choose what to put out there. If you HATE a video you created, don’t put it out.  If you put out a video then realize it’s not something you want others to see, you just take it down.
2. Approach this as a documentation of your journey. Mention this in your videos or in your YT bio.  Don't act like a seasoned coach putting content into the world, act like a player who is working on their game and wants to connect with other players.  Choose a YT channel name like, “MK’s Poker Journey.”  At the beginning of each video you can say something like, “I’m just a poker player who is obsessed with improving his game, and these videos are documenting that process.”  If yor're a fan of Gary Vaynerchuk you’ll know what I’m talking about here.
3. Be genuine. I simply try my best to be myself and discuss the things that I truly believe.  When you're genuine with your audience, they're more forgiving and understanding.

For MK and everyone else, please let me know when you post your first video.  I'll watch it and leave a nice comment.

Q2: Understanding My Show Notes (5:50)

An email from Chuck:

Some of my show notes confused him.  He said when he went to the show notes page, he expected to see something labeled “show notes” but that’s not what he found.  There are headers, but they’re not clickable.  He saw the time stamps and didn’t really know what they meant (like the 3:00).

My Answer

This is a great opportunity to explain how to use my show notes as I believe they're another way to make the podcast more valuable to listeners.

I'll go through the show notes for episode 151 for my explanation.  Follow along: www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod151.

At the top is the episode image with a short episode description.  Below that is the podcast player so you can listen or download directly from the show notes page.

Next is a promo for the prior episode.

Below that is where the valuable show notes begin.  You’ll find almost a complete transcript of what was said in the podcast.  You can copy the words here, cut them down to the most important “meat” of the episode, and save them as your notes on the subject.

Each blue header is a new segment

That first heading says, “What is Flopzilla? (2:25)”.  This means that at 2:25 seconds into the episode, I answer this question.  This is the first segment of the episode.  Within that segment in the podcast, I mentioned a hand reading video, and it's embedded there in the show notes.

The next header reads “The 4 Benefits of Flopzilla for Hand Reading Practice (4:00)”.  So, at 4:00 into the episode I start to discuss this.  As you scroll through the show notes, you’ll see the screenshots that I reference in the podcast.  Poker is so visual and sometimes it helps to see what I’m discussing, hence the reason for so many screen shots sometimes.

At the end of the show notes is the Challenge with the time stamp there as well.

Everything below this is the “Support the Show” information where I give shout-outs to supporters along with links.  Below that is all my contact info and a plug for the next episode.

Q3:  Improving Turn Play (10:55)

Email from Johan Cederlund: I need to improve my post-flop play, especially the turn

My Answer

First, I want you to make this commitment:

I will do one full hand reading exercise every day for 66 days using Flopzilla and an old hand from my database that went to SD.

It's a big commitment, but you want big gains and you’re not going to get them without lots of hard work.  The reason for the 66 day commitment is because this is how long it takes on average to develop a new habit.  So, Just do it!  The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll turn hand reading into a habit.

You should hand read your opponent one day, your own range the next day and both of you the third day.  Repeat this process.

Hand Reading Your Opponent's Range:

Hero's Range:

Both Ranges:

This practice is valuable for understanding ranges, range vs hand and range vs range equities.  Plus, this will require lots of post-flop decision analysis so you’ll gain a far greater understanding of what different plays and bet sizes mean through every street.

Playing the Turn

You MUST know why you're making the play you're making.  The turn pot has grown, so any mistakes here are more detrimental than mistakes made pre-flop or on the flop.  If you're betting as a bluff, you should have their range in mind and be able name many hands they can fold here.  When you're going for value, you should be able to name hands they’re calling or raising with.

If you’re on a draw, make sure the pot odds math is in your favor before calling.  You’re better off folding over calling too much with only one more chance to hit your hand.  Don’t forget that even though you’re on a draw, you can still display aggression and possibly bluff them off their hands.  Turn raises look very strong, and if the situation is right, you can use this to your advantage and blow the turn bettor off their hand.

If you just don't know what to do, then you're better off checking or check-folding.

In episode 134 I discussed comparing ranges and board textures, and I gave everyone a spreadsheet I use to improve this part of my hand reading understanding.  Visit the show notes for that page at www.smartpokerstudy.com/pod134 to get that spreadsheet for yourself.

Challenge (14:45)

Here’s my challenge to you for this episode: There’s no better challenge you could take up; commit to 66 days of hand reading practice using a showdown hand from your database and Flopzilla.  One hand per day, the opponent’s range first, your range the next day, then both ranges the third day.  Repeat this cycle over and over.  This will revolutionize your game.  I’m looking forward to hearing from you if you take me up on this challenge.

Now it’s your turn to take action and do something positive for your poker game.

Support the Show

Thanks to Kestutis for some great feedback about my tonality and voice on the podcast.  It's always a work in progress and I'll continue to pursue podcasting improvements.

Charles Ogle decided to improve his game by purchasing my Smart HUD for PokerTracker 4.  Crush 'em, Charles!  Get the Smart HUD here.