Real Poker: Picking your Style to Fit the Game You’re In!

How do you determine which style to play in the game you’re in? Most players have a set style, created more by their psychological disposition than game type, and they don’t adjust enough to the game’s texture. Additionally, as the game continues, the players turn over, plus those who remain change emotionally and stylistically, and you need to make constant adjustments. If you don’t adjust to the current conditions, you will cost yourself a lot of value!

The world’s best players tend to be more loose-aggressive. They can play more situations pre-flop because they acquire a bigger edge post-flop. Their ability to read hands and players’ tendencies and emotions allows them to bluff, fold, bet, choose differing strategies, and bet-size more effectively. Even if they give up a small pre-flop edge when the betting is generally small, they make up for it and then some with the bigger pot sizes, larger post-flop betting, and more effective strategies.

That said, most players haven’t learned the game to the degree required to play that style effectively. If you erroneously start playing loosely and aggressively because you have the mistaken impression that you can outplay your opponents post-flop, you’re going to get killed. You’ll start bloating pots, increasing the bet sizes, and get outplayed in large pots. This is a terrible strategy when you lack an edge. So, what you read in many books written by experts and see on TV can be correct for those players, but probably isn’t the right style for you!

It’s a common cliché that you “play loose in a tight game and tight in a loose game,” though that is conceptually incorrect. Generally speaking, against tight opponents you should bluff/ semi-bluff wider and value-call/ value-raise narrower. Since your opponents have both a stronger range and are willing to fold stronger hands, you have higher fold-equity and lower value-equity. These concepts often conflict as your opponent’s stronger range sometimes reduces your fold-equity, but it is compensated by their having a stronger folding-range. Determining the correct play is highly situation-dependent.

Against loose opponents, you should generally tighten your range of bluffs/semi-bluffs while adjusting for specific situations in which your opponent has a weak range with lots of uncallable hands that your holding can’t beat. They are still bluffable spots. Additionally, betting in spots in which you can’t call your opponents’ likely bet prevents him from bluffing or at least makes him pay the cost of a raise in order to bluff. Furthermore, against loose opponents you can loosen your value-betting/value-calling range because your opponents call with weaker holdings and are more likely to make future unprofitable calls with them.

Against aggressive opponents you should check-call/check-raise value hands more frequently to induce wagers from the weak/bluff portion of their betting range. Those bets are often rich in expected value (EV). Furthermore, since aggressive players are often betting with a weak range, bluffs/ semi-bluffs increase in value. That said, when aggressive players are yet to act, you need to tighten your range, both pre and post-flop. The probability of being raised is much higher, creating an inferior overall price.

Your image is also a huge factor. If you’ve shown down quality hands so far, your bluffs and semi-bluffs will increase in value. Conversely if you’ve been caught “speeding,” your value hands worth will be enhanced. So, consider your image and loosen/tighten your ranges accordingly.

When adjusting to your image, you must take into account your opponent(s) level of awareness. If they’re unaware of your image, it’s not a factor. Additionally, many aware players never seem to adjust. They identify you a given way and don’t change that tag even if you’re playing differently than usual. Against these opponents, you’re adjusting unnecessarily and costing yourself an edge.

These are all basic generalizations for big bet games but have applications in limit games also. They also assume you have a reasonable understanding of how to read situations and strategies. Specific situations may dictate a different approach. It’s also important not to over adjust. What level of adjustment you should take depends upon the current situation. Adjust mostly in marginal situations. Don’t always give up on bluffing, betting out, or any other play. Do still consider all your options and how they play in relation to your hand and the current circumstances.

Most games are a mix of varying types of players. You’ll need to assess the components of the current state of affairs and adjust effectively. It’s easy to say, but actualizing it requires effective “feel.” Such feel is developed over time with focus and experience. Pay attention and think about these types of issues, and you’ll develop your feel much faster.

And, it will pay dividends to your bottom line. ♠

Roy Cooke played poker professionally for 16 years prior to becoming a successful Las Vegas Real Estate Broker/Salesman. Should you wish any information about Real Estate matters-including purchase, sale or mortgage his office number is 702-376-1515 or Roy’s e-mail is [email protected]. His website is www.RoyCooke.com. Roy’s blogs and poker tips are at www.RoyCookePokerlv.com. You can also find him on Facebook or Twitter @RealRoyCooke.