Poker Stone Cold Nuts

The Nuts, The Stone Cold Nuts, and The Best Hand

Flopped the nut flush, then lost to the best hand, who only won since the nuts folded thinking you have the stone cold nuts. If you read that sentence and think, “yup, been there, done that”, then great. But perhaps you’re somewhat uncertain, or just totally confused by the jargon. This seemingly innocuous term

Re: Phil Ivey is the Stone Cold Nuts 5 star thread imo. It doesn't even matter that it's a level, when you compare this thread to 95% of the trash that gets posted in this forum, it's pure gold. Stone cold nuts The absolute best possible hand in a game of poker which is using community cards. (Texas Holdem and Omaha most often) If you hold the 'stone cold nuts' there is no way anyone can beat you in that hand. Stone Cold Nuts The best holding possible in a hand of poker that will win the entire pot (as opposed to possibly winning only half or some fraction). Such an example would be holding a suited ace and making a flush with it on an unpaired board in holdem.

the nuts is laden with meaning and misunderstanding.

The Best Hand

There is considerable disagreement as to what the nuts truly refers.

Putting aside the jargon for a second, the concept of interest here is whether a player has the best hand. Knowing this is obviously essential in one’s betting strategy. Getting it wrong can be absolutely disastrous. It seems like it should be simple, yet it isn’t.

What defines the best hand depends on the situation: the betting round, which players will fold, what cards they had, whether the pot is split, is a tie acceptable, and an assessment of risk.

A Full Example

Take the following flop in Texas Hold’em as an example.

One player holds A♥2♥ and is quite happy to be holding what they think will be the winning hand. They have the highest possible flush, and at least for the the time being there is no possible higher hand.

Yet suppose the next card turns up a pair.

There is a possible four of a kind now. The flush player may take comfort in thinking, based on pre-flop betting and aggressive flop betting, that nobody at the table has pocket eights, yet that can not be a certainty. There could have been a maniac lying in wait for such an opportunity. Perhaps now two people at the table think they have the best hand.

One step further and the river proves hazardous for the flush player.

The maniac comes in with a ridiculous bet. Finding it rather outlandish, the flush player raises. The player behind them cold calls and the maniac goes all in. Still not convinced, the flush player calls. That last lingering player pauses for a moment, utter confusion painted on his face. They quietly push their stack to the middle.

Turning over K♥3♥ the thought-to-be maniac still looks hopeful. The nut flush player turns over their Ace high flush and sits nonchalantly with a gleeming “I knew it” expression. Only to turn white as the last player calmly turns over J♥9♥ for a straight flush.

Analysis

The Nut Flush

Do you really have the best hand?

On the flop one player has what is known as the nut flush. This is simply the best possible flush which can be formed. Since they possess the ace they are certain that no player can form a stronger flush. Indeed nobody can even tie them.

Given the low probability of stronger valued hands it is not unreasonable for the player to think that they have the best hand. They hold, at this point, what they believe to be the nuts. Holding such a hand warrants specific changes in ones betting strategy. The goal is usually, though not always, to extract as much money as possible from the opponents rather than to push them out.

Other players at the table must decide what they want to do. Even with a check they might be suspicious of a flush. In the example the maniac held a King high flush, which is the second highest possible flush, the second nut flush. Raising obviously indicates they think their hand is the best hand.

Four of a kind

Poker Stone Cold Nuts Bolts

That 8♣ appearing makes a four of kind possible. Any player with pocket eights can now rejoice. The ace flush player should now recognize that while still holding the likely best hand, they do not necessarily have the nuts. Even if nobody holds the eights, there are now two possibilities for a full house. Heavy action would also reinforce this possibility.

This illustrates that additional community cards can significantly change the game. A player who thought they had the best hand is suddenly facing difficult choices, ones they likely didn’t want to face. It is a danger present to any player who, while having a very strong hand, does not hold absolutely the best hand. Given the odds involved however it is still likely a good option to slowplay the nut flush.

The third eight on the board doesn’t actually change what the best hand can be. It simply serves as a scare card and gives an aggressive player an excuse to bet. An observant player would however notice that with three eights on the board nobody can have pocket eights, and it is extremely likely that any other hand with an eight in it would have been folded by now.

Stone Cold Nuts

People overlooking the possible straight flush on the flop is not without reason. Statistically it is quite rare. A player who cowers before the possibility would likely cave under aggression and toss a very nice ace high flush. Excessive action from other players is more likely an indication of bluffing than truly having the straight flush.

At this table however a player is fortunate to have the two cards required to complete the queen high straight flush. This player knows they have the stone cold nuts: the absolute unbeatable best hand. No combination of cards on the turn, river, and any player pocket could possibly form a hand better than their own.

Hole Cards

Define Stone Cold Nuts Poker

A further vital point is to be made about each player’s hold cards. Obviously the table will always have an absolute best hand, but what each player believes that hand to be can differ.

In the example above the flop of T♥Q♥8♥ could certainly mean that a straight flush is possible. Except, should two distinct players be holding the 9♥ and J♥ the absolute best hand is now different. A straight flush is still possible, but only for the player holding the nine, and they would now need the turn and the river to reveal 7♥6♥.

Poker Stone Cold Nuts And Bolts

This example is a bit extreme and does not occur frequently. A more likely scenario is the player with the king-high flush. While they believe they hold the second nuts, if they knew that another player had already folded the A♥, they would indeed have the nut flush and be in a much better position. Further to that, should they hold the 8♥ the turn card would not be a scare card at all; no other player could possibly have pocket eights, thus the flush is likely to be the best hand.

In heavy pre-flop betting Jim tossed A♥5♣. The flops comes Q♥T♥3♥ and is immediately met with a high bet, which is met with a raise. Jim has to contain his chuckles knowing that one player likely has the king, and the other player nothing.

Poker Stone Cold Nuts Recipe

Review

In Texas Hold’em it is particularly dangerous when the flop gives a player the best hand at that time. Too often this player will become blinded by their luck and fail to notice that better hands become possible with the turn and the river. Further to that they may accidentally slow play to a player with pocket pairs and made set. Said player would love any chance to see the turn and river cheaply for a chance at a full house.

Having the nut anything is certainly a good situation. It is important to cut through the jargon however and truly understand one’s holdings. It is a not a simple concept and should not be taken lightly. A mistake here can quickly turn dream hands into expensive nightmares.

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