Understanding Different Player Styles

In poker, as in other card games, player styles have a fundamental impact on the outcomes of individual hands. Knowing precisely what your options are with regards to poker playing styles, you will be able to perfectly adjust your game, regarding pre-flop and post-flop play. Take note that different strategies and techniques are involved when playing tight aggressive players, as opposed to playing loose passive players. It is your task as a poker novice to anticipate what types of player styles are available to you, and how best to implement them. The age old advice rings true: play the player and not the cards!

There are a multitude of elements comprising the different poker player styles available. Two of the most common elements for novice poker players are the following: How many hands are you going to play? And how aggressively or passively should you play those hands? Answering these questions is not as cut and dry as one might expect. Players need to have a comprehensive understanding of poker player styles in order to effectively select that style which is best suited to the situation. Should a player opt to play many hands, he/she is a loose player. If the player opts to play fewer hands, he/she is a tight player. Being aggressive simply means that you bet a lot, while being passive simply means that you don't.

The Different Player Types in Poker

Typically, we have 4 different types of players in poker. These include the following: tight aggressive players, loose aggressive players, tight passive players and finally, loose passive players. As a poker newbie or professional, the types of players that you ideally want to play against are the loose passive players. And by contrast, the players you want to avoid are those who play tight aggressive poker. As your level of poker expertise increases, you are going to want to avoid loose aggressive players as much as possible, especially if they are well-skilled at their craft. These types of players can bet within ranges so wide that it's tough to put them on any specific hand.

The Typical Progression of Player Styles

As you advance up the rungs from beginner player to professional player, the player styles typically look as follows: beginners are loose passive but they soon realise that playing too many hands is costly and they become tight passive. But at this juncture the realization dawns upon novice players that their opponents are hitting cards against them that are resulting in heavy losses. What ultimately happens is that the poker player moves to a different style - he/she becomes a tight aggressive poker player.

Mix It Up

Predictability is the single worst trait to develop in games of poker . Muster your courage, and summon all your poker smarts, because you want to be anything but predictable in your game plan. Typical poker novices try to play many more hands in order to misguide their opponents, fearing being labeled predictable. Thus, the final stage of the poker playing style evolution is being loose aggressive. Take note that professional poker players are easily able to switch between playing styles as the situation dictates.

How Should Poker Greenhorns Play?

Well, it goes without saying, that as a poker newbie you should be as aggressive as possible. When you're aggressive you essentially have two ways to win the pot: when your opponent folds against you, and when you hit your outs. Aggressive poker playing strategy also discourages your opponents from drawing hands against you. This has the effect of protecting the poker pot, especially when you have the best hand. It's also a great safeguard against your opponent hitting that one lucky ace card that would otherwise beat you.

Take A Tip:

in pre-flop situations and to become more aggressive when you hit your cards.

The Three Magic Rules of Poker

Opt for a tight aggressive strategy as quickly as you can Seek out those loose passive poker players at the table Learn from the best and mimic their actions