Hold'em champs
Four Different Poker Games
In all games of poker, especially Texas Hold'em, the poker player must know the personalities or playing styles of his opponents. When the playing styles of the opponents are known, the poker player can soundly predict what will happen in the game. And when he can predict the actions of his opponents, the poker player can implement an effective strategy.
The playing style of the majority of the poker players will determine the type of game at a poker table. And based on the playing styles of the majority of poker players, there are four types of poker games. These are: "Loose-Passive", "Loose-Aggressive", "Tight-Passive", and "Tight-Aggressive". For each of these extreme types of poker games, here are the things that a poker player can safely assume.
Loose-Passive Poker Games · The playing styles of the players are passive. Even when they have the nuts or the unbeatable hand, these poker players will not raise. · Most of these poker players, however, will play at the showdown. Thus, one will expect that the number of people will play will be equal to the number of players who are seated at the table. · The investment money will be relatively small because the pot will always be large. A drawing hand will usually have good pot odds. · A good position is irrelevant since one cannot gain useful information from the betting patterns of the players. There will be no distinct betting pattern since the players are passive, which means that whatever one of them decides to do, the rest will follow suit.
Loose-Aggressive Poker Games
· The playing styles of players are aggressive and these players will bet and raise even when they are holding weak hands. What is more important for them is to be part of the action at the poker table. · Playing up to the river will cost the poker player. The majority of these players will raise pre-flop and post-flop. Thus, one should be ready for large extreme swings of the bankroll. · Position is important in loose-aggressive games. The ideal position will be to the left of aggressive players. That is, these aggressive players should act first before one's turn. And when the aggressive player decides to stay, and one has drawing hands only, then one should fold, because if one bets, the aggressive player will certainly call or raise. But if one has the nuts, the aggressive player will be goaded to add more money in the pot.
Tight- Passive Poker Games
· The players in these games do not play flimsy or drawing cards. This means that when a tight-passive player bets, chances are great that this poker player has Aces, or face cards, or high pairs. One should not assume that the poker player who stayed is attempting to bluff. · The investment money is relatively high when compared to the pot size. The pot is usually small.
Tight-Aggressive Poker Games
· In these games, one should assume to be up against good players. Sometimes they have good cards and sometimes they are just bluffing their way to the river. · The pot is relatively small and one's position at the table is important. · When these players bet or raise, they are most probably protecting their hands. Therefore, one must not challenge them when one is holding flimsy cards.