Player Types In Online Texas Holdem Poker Games
Online poker attracts many types of players, and paying attention to the tendencies and patterns of your opponents can make your play very profitable. This article looks at the types of players you will meet in online poker based on the two main ‘axis’ by which play can be measured. These are loose vs tight and passive vs aggressive. We will note how you can profitably adjust your play to each type of opponent as we go.
The easiest player types to notice are those who play too many starting hands in Texas Holdem Poker Games. These players are labeled as ‘loose’ and are characterized by playing dubious starting hands without regard to position or any betting action ahead. Though it is possible to be profitable playing a ‘loose and aggressive’ poker style, the vast majority of loose players are losers in the game - consistently playing weak starting hands is very difficult to make up for with post-flop play.
Tight players wait for the best starting hands and situations. While this strategy can be profitable in many games, observant opponents will avoid playing large pots with tight players - as they usually have a very strong hand when entering a pot. Tight players are often aware of the ‘gap concept’ - the fact that you need a stronger hand to call a raise than to raise to open a pot yourself. If you see a raise from early position and a tight player re-raises you can be fairly sure that they have a monster hand.
The second axis used to define poker player types is based on how aggressively they play when they have entered a pot. This information is used together with the tight / loose axis to give an opponent one of the 4 possible combinations. Aggressive players tend to raise and re-raise once involved in a pot and are characterized by daring bluffs and large value bets. Conversely passive players limp a lot and call a lot of raises, waiting for the nuts (or very close to it) before raising.
Loose-aggressive players can be very volatile opponents. While you should be aware that some very good players employ this style, the majority will lose money playing this way by playing big pots with marginal holdings. The best strategy to combat this player type is to sit to their left and allow them to build a pot when you have a good hand, check-raising on later streets once they are committed to the pot.
This article series continue in: Texas Holdem Player Types Part 2
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· Written by admin · Filed Under Level 2 - Intermediate
Tagged: Intermediate Strategy, Poker Strategy, Texas Holdem
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3 Responses to “Player Types In Online Texas Holdem Poker Games”
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I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
The most important thing about all online poker players is to feel their type of game, their strategy. Try to guess their paths. It is really hard, and usually, the best player with best strategy wins. It’s poker!
I liked your article. I found it interesting, I disagree with your point though that the best way to play against loose aggressive players when out of position on the flop and you have a good hand is to check raise them “in later streets” -assuming you mean on the turn or the river– , I prefer to lead out at them on the flop, let them re-raise me and then re-raise all in or substantially , this way they either fold and I win 100% of the time or call and I am big favourite to stack them.
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