Too Aggressive? Too Conservative? Draw Close and Pay Heed

Hi. Come on in. I picked up 2 pounds of deep fried shrimp and a quart of cocktail sauce. Put on your bib and get sloppy.

Many new poker players show up in Las Vegas and other areas of public poker around the country every day. And just as many leave every day after learning that it's not as easy a way to turn a buck as they might have thought.

The good players are still around, learning to cope. Those overly aggressive players who jumped into public poker because of the popularity brought on by all of the televised games have gone back home to mid-America and their friendly Friday night poker game. They played too hard and too fast while here, and the locals picked them off.

These players either heard or read that aggressive play is the way to win, so they overran the weekly game in Uncle Elmer's recreation room. But many of them didn't know when to pull back in public poker, and were too aggressive.

Those who play aggressively with success play what is called "selectively aggressive" poker. That, of course, means they are selective about the hands with which they are going to be aggressive – hands with a positive expectation. An aggressive way of playing tells you that a pair of aces plays well against other pairs, but doesn't do well against several flush or straight draws. So, the object then is to raise the flush and straight draws out of the hand if you can, and get heads up with another player with a smaller pair, and maybe one with a drawing hand.

The players who have moved up are those who have learned this, and then have added aggression in the right amount. I'm not saying you should be aggressive so that you can move up. Play as aggressively as you would normally. Are you a conservative player? Play that way. But some days, step out of your conservative shell and try being more aggressive at the poker table. If you get away with it, keep going. If it doesn't suit you, back off to your more normal game.

Generally, aggressive players are also aggressive people by nature. Conservative players are generally conservative by nature. Yes, there are some conservative people who play aggressively. They learned to do so because that's the way to move up.

For many people, aggressiveness has to be learned along with other poker skills. You generally can't just one day say, "I'm going to be aggressive." Rather, just step out there and try some selectively aggressive play. Learn what is the right amount of aggression for the game in which you find yourself. If you're in a game with a table full of hard-rock tight locals, don't get overly aggressive. These folks won't call you unless they are loaded. Remember, be "selectively aggressive."

At $15-$30 and higher, you can be more aggressive because you'll find more aggressive players there willing to play along with you. But don't be aggressive just because you learned it in Card Player. Don't make it your plan to move up – "I'm going to be an aggressive player" – unless you are already an aggressive person. And be selectively aggressive.

You don't want to be aggressive just to be aggressive; rather, when you have a hand like a big pair that has a good shot at winning if others don't improve. You'd like to keep others out so they don't improve and give you yet another beat. You're starting with a good hand, but it can be outrun.

A pair of aces on third street or preflop generally should be played aggressively, to cut down on the field drawing against you, especially straight and flush draws. If you can get them out, you'll have the best of it.

Starting with the best hand makes you the favorite – you have the best of it. Of three things that can happen, two are good for you. If neither of you improves, you win. If you both improve equally, you win. If he improves and you don't – well, you can't win them all.

Tape this note to your refrigerator handle. "Aggressive play is winning play – selectively aggressive play."

All of this selectivity tires me out. Toss your bib into the laundry and put some shrimp in your pocket to eat on the way home. And kill the light on your way out.

Roy West, author of the bestseller 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues working on a hold'em curriculum in Las Vegas for both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Call 1-800-548-6177, Ext. 03.