Player Profiles

Poker is like everything; there will always be someone better. So, how can you consistently make money at poker if there is always someone better? It is simple…there is always someone worse. Great poker players do not make a living off of other great poker players; they feed on the inexperienced or bad players.

One of the keys to profiting from playing poker is being able to quickly identify the style of every player at the table. You must know who to attack and who to leave alone. In order to be great you must leave your ego at the door. Give respect to the players that deserve it and they’ll do the same to you. Once you have identified the loose players you will be so busy feasting on the fish, that the other sharks will not even bother you.

The following are general characteristics of some of the types of players you may encounter. Use these basic descriptions to evaluate your competition and determine whether the game will be profitable or not.

Loose -The typical loose player will play several hands. They are usually inexperienced and do not understand the importance of selecting a starting hand. Loose players tend to buy into the old adage that “any two cards can win”. They will often see the flop and call until the river and will showdown with poor hands. These types of players rely on the luck of the draw. Be wary of loose players because when they’re getting lucky they can put even the most seasoned pro on tilt.

A few keys to playing a loose player are to really hammer them when you think you’ve got the best hand. They will more than likely call to the river. Do not attempt many bluffs and be extra aggressive when you’re in front.

Tight -Tight players will play very few hands. They are usually waiting for a premium hand in good a position before calling or betting. A tight player must be respected. If you deem a player tight and they have just raised you, chances are they will have the best hand.

The key to being successful in a tight game is to wisely use your bluffs and position raises. If you know a player is tight you can often bluff him off a hand or steal several blinds. Just be ready to duck if he fires back…chances are he has got a monster.

Loose Passive - A loose passive player is someone who is really just along for the ride. They will often call with draw hands hoping to hit the card they need. While a loose passive player will call anything, he is not likely to bet. If you have position on him you can see free cards allowing you to strengthen your hand. On the same token, you must be wary. Loose passive players often times will not raise a good hand, which may leave you betting into him with a losing hand.

To beat a loose passive player you must keep your eye open for draw boards, such as two suited flops. If you suspect a loose passive player is on a draw, bet heavy and make him pay…but back off if the board hits because you may end up playing right into his hand.

Loose Aggressive – Loose aggressive players will often raise with inferior hands. They will bet for no reason and overuse bluffs. One or two loose aggressive players can completely change the complexion of the game. Be ready for a shooting match when you sit down to play with more than one loose aggressive player.

Loose aggressive players can obviously be beat. Keep in mind that when playing against a loose aggressive player you will need the best cards to win. Don’t get caught up in trying to prove that they play bad hands by calling when you shouldn’t. Be patient, wait for your moment and you can lure loose aggressive player into a huge pot with poor cards.

Tight Passive - Tight passive players are often called “rocks”. They play very few hands and when they do decide to play, they rarely bet or raise. They are content to sit back and wait for an absolute lock and will take whatever the pot will give them. A tight passive player rarely adds money to the pot and they are among the hardest players to beat.

As with any tight players, fear is the key. Be aggressive when you can and steal blinds. This may be the only way that you will see any money out of a tight passive player’s stack. Just because it is hard to beat them doesn’t mean that it’s a sure way to make money. Tight passive players rarely win. This is due to paying blinds and winning so few pots which are often small.

Tight Aggressive -Tight aggressive players will play very few hands. They recognize when they have the best hand and will make you pay. For this reason, they are the hardest of any of these profiles to beat. They are rarely lured into hands they shouldn’t be in, and they will make the most of pots they win. In most cases it is best to give these players the benefit of the doubt and get out of the hand unless you have the “nuts”.

Beating a tight aggressive player is not easy. You must use a combination of stealing his blinds, bluffing him out of mediocre hands and out drawing him by getting lucky. To get the best of tight aggressive players you must not let them get the best of you.