Different playing styles associated with Poker

Imagine you are visiting a famous monument and after reaching there, someone asks what all things did you see on your way here? Will you be able to mention every detail? Most of us wouldn’t and it’s a normal thing because we are so focused on the destination that we tend to miss the tiny details that are present around or on the way. Why are we talking about observation all of a sudden? We’ll get there eventually in this article.

The game of poker demands a lot of things from you and that includes your patience, determination, will and most importantly your undivided attention because if you fail to notice even a small thing while playing, be it your opponent’s moves or the position of your cards or the table, you won’t be able to make it to the end, especially if you want to master this game.

Observation is the key here. You have to master the art of observation because in doing so you will be paving the way toward the wins. No matter how good you are at playing your cards but if you are unaware of your opponent’s playing styles, and their approach to the game, then it will be a lot more difficult for you to get a hold of Poker. Over time, players develop their strategic methods to win every game they play, whether cash games or tournaments, they find their playing style which when applied, will take them far.

In this article, we are going to take a look at the different playing styles of Poker

There are generally 4 styles of playing poker and there are mainly two factors on which these playing styles are distinguished: -

1.   Starting hands- It is the initial set of cards dealt with by a player. Thus, you have to notice whether the player is playing too loose (playing too many hands) or too tight (playing just the starting hands).

2.   Stakes raising pattern- It is the link between raising the stakes and then calling the cards. So, if a player is raising the stakes more often, he/she is said to be playing the game aggressively. On the other hand, if a player is raising or calling less often then he/she is said to be playing passively.

Let’s have a look at the Poker styles that are derived from the above two factors:

1.   The Tight Aggressive 

      Often referred to as TAG, this move is proved to be quite effective in the game. The tight-aggressive player is known to play very few pots. They like to play the pots selectively pre-flop and once they decide to enter the arena of pots, they like to go all in and play the game aggressively. This style is commonly seen among experienced players who know when to call their hands and a way to win the games, they play. This type of format is mostly played in cash games, whether online or offline.

2.   The Loose Aggressive 

      The name itself suggests, playing the game aggressively but on the losing side. The LAG players are known to play a lot of hands and raise the stakes more often. While it is advisable to play with a style rarely, one can make more money with this format as compared to the tight-aggressive one. It requires even more skills than the TAG and sometimes experienced players seem to inculcate this style in their games.

3.   The Tight Passive

      Also known as the ‘Rock’, this kind of player only plays a few hands and does not play the game aggressively. They like to play with a small range of starting hands pre-flop and then call their hands immediately post-flop. This style is usually played by weaker players who don’t want to lose a lot of money and just play to gain some experience and to learn.

4.   The Loose Passive

      These players play many hands and when they do, they do it passively. It is also known as the “calling station”. This style is mostly played by beginners because they are afraid to take any risks and they don’t raise the stakes pre-flop very often or they just call their hands post-flop if they see their opponent playing the game with ease. They are unable to tell if the opponent is bluffing to win. It is played to stay longer in the game but it is advisable to avoid this format as much as possible.

To sum up!

Poker is all about finding your way into the game. You can’t depend on anyone to take you far in the world of poker. It all boils down to the fact that you take tips from here and there and then inculcate certain steps into your game so that you learn your way through it. There are a lot of strategic methods o win at Poker but once you know what works best for you, and how you can turn the game in your favour, then you have taken a step towards winning more. Generally, it is advised to play the game aggressively ad with stability where you have everything in mind. You should know what you are getting yourself into, you should know how to manage your bankroll and all the related factors. Once, you have found answers to all these questions, then you have got yourself a fair chance of winning in Poker.