How a Tight Image Works

In games like limit hold'em and seven-card stud, where the pot frequently becomes very large when compared to the size of the bet, I have been an advocate of a tight image. When I first began to write about this in the late 1980s, this idea was hotly disputed by several other writers, and even today opinions are certainly not unanimous. But, the fact is that when I view the best limit hold'em players I know, not one of them has a loose image, and in the stud world, I can think of only one top player who seems to come across that way (despite the fact that stud experts can play more hands than hold'em experts).

The reason you should prefer the tight image as opposed to the loose image is simply that it allows you to win a few more pots. The loose image, of course, will enable you to collect a few more bets. But in games in which pots tend to get big (relative to the bet), winning a pot that you normally wouldn't win has got to be the way to go. Yes, an extra bet or two every now and then can be very nice, but it can't compare to what many pots contain. So, in my mind it's no contest.

However, with this being said, there is a misconception that many players have about a tight image, which can at times cost them a few chips. It's the idea that you can steal a large pot because most people think you're a "nit." It doesn't work that way.

The reason for this is that large pots have a distinct characteristic. It is: Good hands, sometimes in several places, are a contributing factor in what made the pot big. Thus, when good hands are out, even if they don't always mature to a strong hand, payoff hands become much more likely, and the pot becomes what we call "protected." (See Sklansky on Poker for more discussion of the protected pot.)

In addition, the fact that the pot is large is an enticement for callers. It's common for someone to think, "I'm not folding this hand no matter who bets. There is just too much money out there and they are just going to have to show me the goods."

So, how does a tight image work? If it doesn't help you pick up these pots by betting, how does it help you win them more often? The answer has to do with how your opponents react to some of your bets, and this includes your semibluff hands.

Specifically, partly because of your image and partly because they become afraid of hands that you check as well as hands that you bet, your opponents won't put maximum pressure on you and knock you out of the hand when they should. A raise might become a call, or a bet might become a check, which enables you to stay around and catch perfect, and when the pots are large, this is a great advantage. Let's look at a few examples.

Suppose that in limit hold'em, you hold a hand like the J J.

You raise and get several callers. Now, the flop comes with an overcard to your two jacks. Since your hand might be good, the pot is large, and you don't want to give a free card that might beat you, you go ahead and bet. But, if raised, you plan to fold, since you don't think two outs to improve plus the small chance that the raiser may have an inferior hand is enough to continue.

Now, suppose you are called by someone with top pair, and the reason he makes that call is because he's intimidated by your image. Notice that you have just gained two outs that you had no business getting.

Continuing with this example, let's assume the fourth-street card is higher than any of the flop cards and does not hit your opponent. If your opponent checks after you check, because he not only is afraid of this high card but is also aware that you are capable of going for a check-raise in a spot like this when you hold a very good hand, you have just gained two more outs. Notice that in this example, you will win the pot approximately 10 percent more often than you should.

Here's another example from limit hold'em. Let's say you hold the 9 8. The flop is the 10 6 2.

You bet and are called by someone who has flopped middle pair with an overcard kicker. Now, suppose the fourth-street card doesn't help anyone. So, you check and plan to fold if your opponent bets, because you're afraid that you have only four outs. However, when your opponent checks behind you, he gives you 10 outs to beat him, and that's more than 20 percent. If he checks because of your image, well, your tight image has certainly paid off pretty big in this spot.

Finally, let's look at a stud example. You raise on third street with the K 4 Q (your doorcard) and are called by someone who has a 9 up. On fourth street, you both catch blanks, and you bet and he calls. On fifth street, you again both catch blanks, and this time you check with the intention of folding. If your opponent checks something like a pair of nines, you have come out way ahead. Now, not only is your backdoor-flush draw working, but you can also win by pairing one of your overcards.

In conclusion, notice that the examples given are really fairly simple and straightforward. However, I have noticed this effect impacting far more complex situations, and occasionally allowing the tight player to win a pot that he shouldn't. So, being a "nit" can be well worth it if you are really an expert in disguise.