Playing Your Opponent
Throughout the site, we have talked about strategies to use against typical
opponents. We have also discussed how you should alter your play depending on
the type of opponent you are against. To raise your play to an advanced level, it is
critical that you recognize opportunities to take advantage of each opponent's
strengths and weaknesses.
What do I mean by playing your opponent? Some of the things to consider:
-
Play more hands against players with loose starting hand requirements and
fewer hands against tight players.
- Play more hands against players who play poorly after the flop.
- Don't bluff very often against loose players and play aggressively against
tight players.
- Induce bluffs against loose aggressive players. Induce calls against tight
players.
- After the flop, tend to call, raise, and reraise your borderline hands against
aggressive, tricky opponents and fold against rocks who never bet or raise
without a strong hand.
- Note that the playing style of your opponent preflop is sometimes different
than after the flop.
- Generally try to sit to the left of maniacs and to the right of tight players.
- Mix up your strategies based on the flow of the game to keep your
opponents off balance.
These are only some of the things you might consider. Let's discuss each of them in
a little more detail.
NEXT...Tight vs. Loose Players
