Introduction
In order to raise your play to a higher level you have to be able to play the players. Your goal should not only be to you play technically perfect you should also know how to adjust your play depending on what type of opponent your are up against. It is important to take advantage of you opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. This means that you have to observe your opponents and then choose the best strategy that counterfeits their playing style.
Things to consider
- Mix up you game based on the flow of the game. Occasionally make advertising plays, raise with calling hands and call with raising hands.
- Try to get position of the weak players and maniacs, sit to their left and keep the tight players to your left.
- Play more hands against the weaker and looser players.
- Play more hands against the players who you know play poorly after the flop.
- Play tighter against tight players.
- Don’t bluff the weak players.
- Bluff and be aggressive against the tight players.
- Induce bluffs against the loose and aggressive players.
- Induce calls against the tight players.
Position
Use your position when you play the players. Sit down to the left of the maniacs and loose players. Try to keep the tight players to your right. This enables you to isolate yourself with the loose player, by raising and reraising. Thus keeping the tight players to your left out of the action.
Passive and aggressive players
The aggressive payers are usually tricky and you’ll have to raise and reraise them with hands you normally wouldn’t play in that way. You use aggression as a weapon in order to bully them into becoming more passive. When you have a very strong hand you let them do the betting and try to trap them. The passive players are easier to play. When they bet or raise they have strong hands and you can safely fold hands that you would never have folded against the aggressive type.
Loose and tight players
Play more hands against the loose players and play tighter against the tight players. If you see a tight player constantly limping with AQ then beware when he raises. If a loose player who raises with a lot makes a raise you can play more hands. Don’t try to bluff the loose player unless it’s a very good opportunity. The tight players should be bluffed more often than other players.