by Al Sousa (site owner)
In any game you have to make adjustments to your play based on
the players at the table. Staying with the same strategy no matter
the players will cost you money in the long run. Tables can be loose,
tight, aggressive, or passive. Lets look at different tables and
how you should generally play them
Loose Passive Tables: This is the best kind of
table to be at. Players generally don't raise pre flop, and only
raise you when the really feel they have the best hand, top two
pair or better. These type of tables are common in low limit card
rooms.
Keep track of how many people are calling the pot. If you find
90% of the time 5-6 players are limping in then you can play more
hands up front. Hands that you throw away in a normal game up front
now become playable.
Hands like 7 6
or 4 4 .
If you can assume you will get 4+ callers with only pre-flop raising 10% of the time or less then
these types of hands are getting proper pot odds. hands like suited
connectors hit a flop about 1 in 4.5 with a good draw, two pair,
or trips. Pairs make a set 1 in 7.5 but with implied odds you will
get more than 10 to 1 for your pre flop call if you win. Also with
a set your hand will be very well disguised.
When you are on the button with good suited connectors, like JT, I suggest raising with 5+ players in the pot. Even though you might not have the best hand you will have pot equity. This is when your hand can win more often then your current investment in the pot. In the above example, in a 5 player pot, your hand could win 24% of the time with a pot investment of 20%, (1 of 5 bets). This raise can also give you more pot odds to call with weaker draws on the flop. Also
everyone might check to you allowing you to get a free card. So
if you don't hit the flop you might hit the turn with a good draw
and have proper odds to continue.
When dealing with pairs there are two arguments for having them
on the button with 5+ callers in the pot. The 1st is just to limp
in and see the flop. If you miss your set the loss is limited to
one bet and you can fold your hand. The 2nd argument is to raise
on the button to build the pot. This is done so people will be more
inclined to call with their marginal hands to the river. There is
also the possibility all will check to you allowing you to take
a free card. I personally think to limp in is the better option
as bad players will chase you down regardless of pot size so why invest more in a 1:7.5 shot.
These hands should be folded up front inm these passive games because they do not
play well in multi way pots. They do not have enough ways to win.
You will make a lot of money at these tables because of the odds
you will have for many drawing hands. You will also get players
to pay you off when you hit a large hand. You will not win as many
pots because there will be so many callers trying to out draw you
but when you do win it will be large pots. Use strategic raising
to gain free cards, build pots for your draws, and make other draws
pay to beat you.
Loose Aggressive Tables: These tables usually
have some aggressive players (LAGs) that are looking for action and raise
with many hands. A lot of raising occurs before and after the flop.
You should not be playing many hands in these types of games. These
type of players can win lots of money real fast but in the long
run they will lose their bankroll by there play.
Usually there are anywhere from 1 to 3 players that are aggressive.
You generally want them to be on your right so you can control how
much you bet and get more money from them with your better hands.
Do not get between two loose aggressive players or you can be caught
in the middle of a raising war not knowing where your at.
Since these players have lower standards for raising it means that
when you come into a pot with a premium hand you will almost always
have the advantage. Being behind them makes them pay you off more
money when you do hit and saves you money when you don't hit.
| Yours: AA,
K K,
QQ,
JJ,
AK,
AQ,
AJ,
TT |
| LAGs: Above plus, AJ
to AT,
KQ
to KT,
99-55 |
Against these player you re raise to isolate them from the other
players. This gets you heads up with a superior hand which in most
cases they will pay off.
Drawing hands are harder to play because since the loose aggressive
players will raising a lot they will not give you proper odds or
caller for your draws.
The worst situation is where the loose aggressive player sends
the whole table on tilt and they all start playing the same way.
These tables are harder to play but still can be profitable.
Tight Passive Table: These tables generally have
players that don't see many flops and don't like to risk money.
Generally you can play more hands at these tables but only with
proper odds. It is harder to get money from tight players.
Usually I find tables with older players are like this. They like
to play poker and many have played for years so they know something
about which hands to play with. These players don't like to lose
a lot of money or raise much. They are there for enjoyment and don't
want to create tension at the table. They rarely bluff so you will
see a free turn card more often when they check a bad hand. The players will only raise with
solid hands. These types of tables are profitable but it is more
difficult to get money from the tight players as they not get involved
in many pots. On the other hand with these type of players you almost always know where they are at in the hand.
Tight Aggressive Table: If you sit at a table
and find it to be tight aggressive, leave. These are good players
and you will make no money here. Now if you want a challenge then
play, but at best you will be marginally profitable. At a
table where all the players are equally good making few mistakes,
the house wins. Your profit comes from other people's mistakes.
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