Tight style of poker. Tight poker player - features, advantages and disadvantages

​Poker is not easy card game, is a game between people that involves cards. As you progress and gain poker skills, you will encounter situations where you will truly understand how compelling this statement is. In this article we will look at the main existing poker playing styles and how to identify them.

Whether you play online poker or live game, by observing the decisions of your opponents, you can catch certain trends, both psychologically and emotionally, which will ultimately help you determine the best way games against them.

You must have come across the concept of LAG or TAG in poker more than once. This refers to determining a person's playing style at the table. But even if you understand that LAG is a loose-aggressive player, TAG is a tight-aggressive player, and also that there are also tight- and loose-passive players, it doesn’t mean that you fully understand what this means and how this can work to your advantage. In this article, we will not only help you understand who a TAG is in poker, but also how to play against him as effectively as possible.

Definition of Poker Styles

Poker is a game of observation. Therefore, the first step towards identifying a players style is to observe their general tendencies. This factor is a key link in achieving success in poker. Studying the tendencies of your opponents is considered mandatory, especially if you plan to become winning player. Every action your opponent takes means something. Why did the player x-raise from that position or just call? It should be emphasized again and again that you should always monitor the game, especially when you are not involved in the hand (which may be most of the time), in order to understand what your opponents are thinking and how they will act.

Poker players can be divided into two main categories, which will determine their style of playing poker. These categories are: tight versus loose, and passive versus aggressive.

• Tight player usually plays a small number of only the best hands.
• A loose player plays a wide range of hands.

The name "tight" or "loose" refers to the choice starting hands, and not the manner in which they were played. It all depends on whether the poker player will play with a narrow (tight) or wide (loose) range of hands. Tight style Poker games are usually chosen by cautious poker players who are afraid of losing their stack. Loose poker play is more "creative".

The passivity or aggressiveness of players is reflected in their willingness to take risks.

• Passive players try to avoid confrontation and play with the fear of losing.
• Aggressive players raise more often than they call and are not afraid to put their chips at risk.

Also, whether your opponents are passive or aggressive depends on how you play against them.

How to determine a poker player's style?

By observing your opponents, you will be able to classify them based on what you see.

The first thing to do is determine which player he is: tight or loose. If your opponent folds most of his hands, then classify him as tight. If he tends to play a lot of hands, then the player has chosen a loose style of poker.

The next stage is to determine his passivity or aggressiveness. Does he call and check more often than he raises and bets? Then classify him as a passive player. If he bets and raises a lot, then he is an aggressive player.

4 Basic Poker Playing Styles

Based on the above categories, we can distinguish 4 main play styles:

• Tight-passive.
• Loose-passive.
• Tight-aggressive (TAG).
• Loose-aggressive (LAG).

Knowledge of these general characteristics will help you understand your opponent and what kind of cards he has in his hands. If a loose-aggressive player bets and raises, this does not mean that he has a strong hand, unlike a tight-passive player. He raises or re-raises rarely, but with good hands.

Let's look at the 4 main gaming styles in more detail:

Tight-passive style

The typical tight-passive player usually doesn't play many pots and calls preflop when he gets the right hand.

If alert opponents notice him at the table, no one will enter the game on his initiative, so the tight-passive player will not be able to make money when he has a good hand. This type of player is sometimes referred to as "weak-passive", and the overall play style can also be considered "weak-passive".

They are easy to bluff. Often, they discard weak and even medium-strength combinations on a contested board, and also rarely place bets themselves, for fear of losing.

Players who have identified weak and predictable opponents will always be on the lookout for situations where they can exploit them, simply because tight-passive players fold to aggression too often.

Loose-passive style

Loose-passive players like to limp into a lot of pots. They will call raises just to see the flop and stay in the hand whenever they hit something, no matter how small. They rarely take risks or become aggressive, being more of an "auto-caller". Their approach to the game is to simply observe and let others take risks. Such players can be found especially often among beginners, as well as at micro-limits.

Loose-passive players are very easy to spot and easy to target. It's best not to try to bluff autocallers, but when you have a strong enough hand, you should bet for value and make the most of them.

Tight-aggressive style (TAG)

Tight-aggressive players usually don't play many pots. They are selective and generally play the best starting hands. Unlike tight-passive players, tight-aggressive players will play their cards decisively. They are patient and wait for the right opportunity to strike, and are not afraid to bet.

Often, the best TAGs are called “sharks” because they are tight aggressive style Poker games are generally effective, regardless of changes in the game or betting structure. Most observant opponents will avoid facing TAGs because they will believe they have the best hand and will fold under pressure.

Loose-aggressive style (LAG)

A loose-aggressive player will raise or re-raise with great variety hands preflop and will bet most flops. They are extremely difficult to read because they play a fairly wide range of hands. No-limit hold'em has a lot of experienced players, who use a loose-aggressive style of poker very effectively. They use chips as weapons and constantly put pressure on their opponents. They will bluff at a high percentage and are difficult to play against. However, at the very end of the loose-aggressive category there is a “maniac” who raises, apparently, without any reason. The maniac's tendency to overplay his hands means that you are likely to show profits over the long haul against these types of players.

A question that online players often ask is how to determine an opponent’s poker playing style? This is quite easy to do. In order to roughly determine a player's style, you will only need to know his basic indicators, such as VPIP (how often he enters the game), PRF (preflop raise percentage) and AF (aggression factor) - they are usually present in all standard HUDs .

For example, those who choose a tight-aggressive playing style use the starting hand chart quite narrowly and usually play premium hands. This means that they rarely enter the hand, but at the same time, the hands they play are played aggressively. Therefore, their VPIP is low, but their PFR is quite high.

Our simple table will help you roughly determine your opponent’s playing style in online poker:

If you have enough hands played with your opponent, you can already draw certain conclusions about him.

Hidden or direct?

Once you have previously classified the players into one category or another, you are ready for the next stage - determining the degree of their cunning, or, conversely, the lack thereof.

This is not always easy, as poker players often drift between cunning and absolute straightforwardness. However, this is a very important step because the moment you categorize them, you can begin to interpret their actions with greater accuracy.

For example, let's assume that a tight-aggressive player raises preflop from early position. If he is a "straightforward" tight-aggressive player, then you can give him a strong hand such as a premium pair. If you figure out that he is very cunning, then he can also bluff or play semi-bluff by raising with two strong cards or an ace.

The main key is observation. You really need to watch the players and pay attention to their tendencies, as well as understand what type of players your opponents are and what decisions they tend to make. This will help you play much more profitably.

The importance of aggression

Remember that this especially applies to Hold'em. If you don't want to be aggressive, then you shouldn't play, or at least you shouldn't expect to win. Poker is full of conflict and is not a game for the weak. This is why an aggressive poker playing style is very important for success.

This is the core essence of the game that we deal with every time we sit down to play. We are trying to beat other players and get money. As Jack Ostrich once said: “I would even ruin my own grandmother if she played poker with me.”

There are obvious times when cheating and simply calling preflop with a premium hand or check-calling a strong hand postflop is good. Even aggressive players do this sometimes, but the big difference is that they mix up their play, as opposed to tight-passive players who only call when they should probably be raising out of fear of losing. As the well-known saying goes: “He who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t drink champagne.”

The main disadvantage of the passive style is that it only offers one way to win the pot - when you have the best hand. An aggressive poker strategy gives you two ways to win - when you have the best hand and when you force your opponent to fold his best hand, thereby forcing him to give up the pot.

For example, by playing aggressive poker preflop, depending on what cards are on the flop, you can continue your aggression through betting and often win the hand even if you miss the board.

What is the best poker playing style?

We have already discussed the importance of aggression and why it is almost always considered the best solution. A good solid strategy of tight and aggressive play is usually rewarded with profits. There are experienced players who have successfully adapted a loose-aggressive style to the game. However, for most players, a tight-aggressive approach is usually the most profitable. This style is undoubtedly the best way for beginners as it teaches good habits such as patience and discipline. The tight-aggressive approach also works well as a "default position" and often players develop a strong skill base when starting to play this style.

In the end, you should choose the style that is not only the most profitable for you, but also the most suitable. In many ways the style of play is for poker table determined by your personality outside the table. Some people may play in a manner that is unusual for them in everyday life, but most will return to their usual type. That's why best advice, which can be given to you - to determine what works in your case, and also to gain experience.

It's important to note that best players adapt their style to opponents and circumstances. If you are playing at a table full of tight players then you need to loosen up, and if you are playing with aggressors then playing tight is the most effective strategy.

Always observe the game and the actions of your opponents, and adapt your playing style if necessary. This is exactly what good poker players do.

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= Tight-aggressive style =

The tight-aggressive style is most common in games for full table. There you simply fold all weak hands and join the fight for the pot when you have an advantage. This usually means playing with strong hands. When you raise preflop, you will usually end up with the best hand. Having received a call, you will often c-bet, because your hand will remain strong on the flop much more often than it would at random.

The problem with this “tight” style of heads-up play is that by posting the blinds on every hand, you can end up going broke waiting for premium hands. However, there is a certain compromise here. By playing tight-aggressive, you can play, just like in a loose-aggressive style, not only premium starting hands, but you will become more careful in choosing them. From the button, you will open with one-third to one-half of your strongest starting hands and limp or fold the remaining hands. Playing in the big blind will require you to have stronger hands for raises and reraises, since you will have to play out of position postflop.

We'll talk about limping and folding from the button later. For now, when I talk about “playing” from the button, I will be talking about opening the trade with a preflop raise.

On the flop, a tight-aggressive approach becomes more like playing a loose-aggressive style. Against an opponent who calls your raise, you will also use a continuation bet as your standard game on the flop. If your opponent calls your continuation bet or makes a 3-bet, then your further actions will be based on the strength of your hand, knowledge of your opponent and other factors. Taking into account the fact that you will often start the game with good starting hands, and postflop you will more often have strong hands.

The main difference between postflop styles is that your requirements for continuing play with a tight-aggressive style become higher. Marginal draws or weak pairs that a loose-aggressive player can bet or even 3-bet with will usually be folded by a tight player. His requirements for the strength of the hands with which he is ready to continue the rally or simply stay in it will be much higher.

Tight-aggressive play is a kind of guarantee that you will have a strong hand when playing most large pots. On the other hand, by playing this way you will miss out on many small pots that a loose-aggressive player will win with his frequent bets and raises.

The main criterion for choosing the style in which you will play is your opponent. As we already know, the tighter your opponent plays, the looser the game you should choose. Without a strong hand, a tight opponent will often fold to your bets and raises. Loose players, on the other hand, will call your bets very often and widely, and against them you just need to collect value on your strong hands.

Another factor that will determine your strategy is your postflop skills. When playing loose-aggressively, you will often find yourself in marginal situations that can only be dealt with if you have good post-flop skills. Therefore, the better you play postflop, the looser your style will be.

Let's look at a couple of examples. In both cases you are playing online against an unknown opponent. Blinds $15-$30, stacks $1,500. Let's compare tight-aggressive (TAG) and loose-aggressive (LAG) approaches.

- Example No. 1 -

You have J2 on the button. How will you play?

A tight-aggressive player will prefer to limp or fold such a weak hand. In terms of strength, J2o is in the bottom 25% of hands (see Appendix C: Top Starting Hands). It's difficult to play postflop. Therefore, you can limp it or raise it against a weak or passive opponent, but this is not at all a hand that TAG will be happy to open a raise trade with.

In contrast, LAG will tend to raise. He will sometimes limp it too, but in most cases a loose-aggressive player will raise with any hand that has at least one picture. The advantage of playing this way is that the opponent will often fold on the early streets. And the main disadvantage is that you often have to take complex solutions postflop. For example, if you flop top pair with no kicker and your opponent gets active, would you be willing to risk a lot of your chips to get to showdown with that hand?

- Example No. 2 -

Your hand: T9

Trade: You raise $90 from the button and your opponent calls. Bank - $180.

Flop: 842

Trade: The opponent checks. You bet $120. He's a call. Bank - $420.

Turn: 7

Trade: The opponent bets $350.

Question: What are your next steps?

Answer: First, let's note that preflop and flop were played fairly standard for both styles. Your middle suited connectors are very strong and deserve to be opened with a preflop raise, and on the flop you make a conventional continuation bet.

The difference between the styles comes on the turn. The bet from the enemy is unexpected, considering that you previously had the initiative. Is he bluffing, betting with a draw, or attacking with a strong hand? What do his actions mean, and how should you play?

A loose-aggressive player here will raise much more often than his tight-aggressive counterpart (the aggressive style makes calling such a large bet unprofitable, at least if the stacks are not deep enough 1)

LAG will justify its decision by the fact that the pot is already large, and there are enough hands in the opponent’s range that he will fold for an All-In bet, and even in the case of a call, LAG’s hand will have 8 outs on a straight, and also possibly 6 outs for top pair. Thus, without having additional information, he will often raise this bet on the turn.

TAG, in turn, will be much less prone to semi-bluff All-In pushing. Obviously, his hand is behind, his opponent is showing strength, and only two bets are invested in the pot. TAG will often fold and wait for a better situation to place his chips.

This difference between styles is perhaps a little artificial. A good loose-aggressive player will often fold in this situation if he thinks his opponent is tight enough to bet $350 on the turn as a bluff. And a good tight-aggressive player will be willing to raise if he can reasonably assume that his opponent is capable of a bluff or semi-bluff in such a situation. The bottom line is that a loose-aggressive player is much more likely to put chips into the pot as bluffs and semi-bluffs, while a tight-aggressive player relies primarily on the real strength of his hand.

The main idea you should take away from this paragraph and the two preceding ones is the following:

In heads-up no-limit poker, you must play with an aggressive style.

In conclusion, I note that assigning a name to your style does not oblige you to play only within its framework. You can play in a mixed style, changing bet sizes and your hand strength requirements throughout the game when it suits you. It will be more difficult for your opponent to read such a game and adapt to your style, but such a switch will allow you to successfully exploit your opponent’s style.

1 With starting stacks of $5,000, we can call and potentially win a very large pot if we hit our straight. If we don't get a straight, we can sometimes take the pot with a bluff if our opponent shows weakness and checks on the river. But with 50 BB stacks against a bet that practically locks us into the pot, the options are pretty limited.

A tight player is a player whose characteristic style is to tactfully and accurately play the most powerful sets. As a rule, experienced poker players who master many styles choose this line of behavior in tournament conditions for big table with enough opponents.

It should be understood that a tight game with a total number of opponents not exceeding 6 people is impossible.

It's simple: paying regular blinds in poker can cause a player to go bankrupt. Taking such a position is reckless and stupid, and stupidity is completely unusual for tight poker players.

A tight player can appear to opponents in different guises. There are 2 categories:

• Tight-aggressive participants prefer to play extremely powerful combinations and not take risks, while the competition itself is conducted in a sharp and greyhound manner with constant raises and reraises;
• Tight-passive the player takes a position when he enters the battle with a small number of options for cards received in his hands, and plays them slowly, one might say sluggishly.

The last option is often seen among poker beginners who have not yet developed a style and do not master the basics at a high, professional level.

Such participants, as a rule, have not yet tried to use bluff during a poker tournament and, moreover, to influence their opponents, persistently pushing them to perform specific actions.

It is worth dwelling in more detail on those who are well acquainted with poker and adhere to the first of the likely tactics.

How does this happen?

A tight style of poker in an aggressive vein is what poker players fear when they sit down at the gambling table. If you meet an opponent who chooses this line of behavior, expect to lose.

Analyzing the general picture of the poker world, it can be argued that the majority of eminent professionals who know a lot about poker and, as a rule, take over the pot as a result of the competition, are precisely tight-aggressive participants. These poker players sit down at the table not only to play, but to win!

It's challenging fun, with a tight player with such a serious and imposing attitude pursuing higher goals. The primary task is to win and become the owner of the bank. Professionals today regard poker as a job or, at a minimum, as a worthy supplement to their basic income.

And, of course, such successful participation cannot but bring pleasure from the process. Therefore, for players who know and understand the principles of poker, combining business with pleasure - what could be better.

The tight-aggressive style of play can hardly be called a natural process, because it is imperceptibly unlikely to control and regulate behavior and train of thought.

It is worth understanding this issue thoroughly.

For example, an aggressive poker player, as a rule, is not able to control his emotions and restrain himself. In turn, a tight player is always careful, he thinks about every action and his actions are careful. Such a poker player slowly but confidently follows the intended goal.

After logical reflection, it becomes clear that it will not be possible to reunite these two lines into a single whole naturally. In order to learn how to correctly apply this style, you should carefully and thoroughly work on yourself, tirelessly develop and hone your fighting technique. Poker players who have developed their own style and are called “rock”, “maniac” or “answering machine” behave naturally. In these types of behavior, long-term work on behavior at the table is not visible and does not provide for long-term work on behavior at the table. But “stonebreakers” are something else. A tight style of play with a touch of aggression implies an investment of strength and patience in the initial stages.

• This poker player:
• Conducts tremendous work on himself;
• Form an optimally correct attitude towards competition;

Develop proper gaming habits. He is strong and dangerous. Having met such an opponent at the same table, you should understand that winning will not be easy. It is difficult to win against them, they are well-versed and have good self-control, and have excellent control over the situation.

If you have just set foot on the poker path, it would be right to avoid such opponents, or at least be wary. Participation in a tournament with a tight-aggressive poker player will come down to the fact that even if you win, the prize will be minimal and the losses will be significant.

Is this game worth the candle? Everyone decides for themselves. A reasonable person will assess the situation objectively and be able to draw the right conclusions and make a rational decision.

Tight players usually do not scatter themselves with others; they squeeze out the most important things for themselves from the flow of information and form a line of behavior that ultimately leads them to victory.

So, the main question is: is it worth fighting with such poker players? The answer is no!

Alternatively, you can try your luck only if all the other representatives at the table are weak and unpromising, or when you have a frantic desire to gain experience and try out all the techniques on yourself, to adopt any knowledge that the tight player has.

Which the best place at the table in relation to such an opponent? It is best to position yourself on the left hand or at the greatest possible distance.

Recognizing and identifying their set is not an easy task, all because a tight player who chooses aggressive tactics thinks a lot, and therefore may form incorrect ideas about what a given opponent has.

Everyone can try to recognize them, understand their goals and attitude towards their opponents. Will it succeed? This is a rhetorical question.

For those who are not ready today to delve deeply and look for adventures on their own, in a word, to complicate their lives, it would be right not to engage in battle with such opponents. You can measure your strength when you are in excellent shape and ready for a difficult battle.

A tight player is a player who prefers a style of poker play in which only a small number of the strongest hands are played. As a rule, tight players avoid difficult ambiguous situations and play only with strong made hands. The exact opposite of a tight style is a loose style. There is a distinction between tight-aggressive and tight-passive styles.

Types of Tight Players

The tight-aggressive style is very popular online and in. The very essence of this style is as follows: play a small number of the strongest hands, but play them quite aggressively. Aggressive tight poker player putting constant pressure on opponent. When he creates the image of a tight-aggressive player at the table, he can successfully use it because opponents will almost always believe he has a strong hand.

A passive tight player is a player who uses a style that is not typical for successful game For this reason, poker is usually played in a tight-passive style by careful beginners who value money. They prefer to play only the strongest hands, however, once they get into the , they are not in a hurry to increase the bank, guided by the principle " If you drive more quietly, you will go further". Against such players, you can successfully use bluffs, as well as various moves that can knock your opponent out of the game, taking away .

Passive tight players are usually not as quick to figure out and if we can't adapt to their style, we won't be able to win easily. They are also called “rocks” because they fold everything and just wait for a premium hand. And when it finally comes to them, they play such a hand conservatively, even timidly. They are still difficult to calculate for the reason that we observe more of those who actively participate in the pot, but not of those who fold their cards. As a rule, a passive tight player is a passive person in life. They can speak very little, some of them barely speak. They tend to place bets very carefully, controlling all their movements. They do not throw chips into the pot, do not say loudly: “I’m making a raise,” but simply place chips, usually without saying a word. However, they have an important component of the correct optimal style (tight-aggressive), which allows them to win consistently if they play suitable games. They don't win much, but they don't expect to win much either.. They are happy with constant average wins and small, infrequent losses.

Passives force you to be careful with them: They can be difficult to win against, and playing with them can sometimes be frustrating. So, if, due to our impatience, we begin to play actively with such players, they will win against us. Should you play with them? Probably not. This should only be done if the other players are weak. It's better to sit to their right, as they rarely raise, and we can steal their ante and

Such a player chooses reserved tactics in poker, rarely bluffs, and does not raise bets with an average hand. The active actions of a tight player can only be seen with a monster.

Characteristics of a Tight Player

A tight player is a reserved player who calculates every action as much as possible before betting in poker. Such an opponent is more likely to fold good hand, which will be included in active actions and reraises. You don't always have to be a tight player. This style of play is suitable in certain cases, such as some stages. You can become a tight player during the bubble period (several people before getting into the prizes in the tournament).

Characteristics of a tight playing style:

• Don't go in with a junk or average hand.
• Play only pocket or large connectors (Ace + King, Ace + Queen, King + Queen, etc.).
• Not against rivals.
• Go to the showdown only with the strongest hand.
• Do not bet with the average combination.

Types of Tight Players

A tight poker player is a general concept. Such people can be divided into 2 groups according to the characteristics of the game:

1. Tight aggressive player.
2. Tightly passive player.

The aggressive playing style is characterized by large raises and sharp actions at the poker table. The passive style is distinguished by frequent calls and small bets. Let's look at how these playing styles combine for a tight person.

Characteristics of a Tight-Aggressive Playing Style

Many professionals choose this style of play in live tournaments. Here are the basic principles of such a player:

• Play only a certain group of cards, which are among the highest.
• With a strong hand, bet aggressively, squeeze your opponents out of the pot and go all-in.
• Put pressure on your opponents only with a good combination.

You can improve well in tournaments using this style, since the risk of elimination will be minimal. Experts advise playing in a tight-aggressive style of play only in the first stages of the tournament. Having created a certain image for yourself, you can start bluffing and betting large amounts with medium and weak combinations. Your opponents will be afraid to go all the way, based on their experience from past tight style games.

Characteristics of a Tight Passive Player

The principles of playing in this style:

• Participate in the game only with the best combination.
• Having collected the “candy” in poker, do not do it, but give preference to calling or checking.

This is considered ineffective and losing. Typically, beginners who have not yet fully understood the features of poker play in a tight passive style. They are afraid to risk money and even with the best combination they play carefully. Usually they often bluff against such opponents and try to knock them out of the game.

Most often, this type of player can constantly fold cards and wait for the best combination. After collection best hand a person will not place high bets. Therefore, he will be in the red for a long time. After all good cards They come quite rarely and you need to squeeze the maximum profit out of them. Most often, such a tight player is an easy opponent who has excellent table reads.

How to identify a tight passive player:

• Rarely comes into distribution.
• When participating in a game, he makes only a call or a check.
• He behaves carefully at the table and does not communicate with other players.
• Avoids loud phrases and abrupt actions.

There is one plus in the style of such players - they also have a passive attitude towards losses and winnings. Players do not react emotionally to every action in poker. Sometimes this style gives profit over the long term. The player loses a minimum amount without entering hands. At the same time, he wins the average amount with the best hand.

How to play correctly with a tight-passive opponent

If we find these players at the table so easily, does that mean they are pretty easy to beat? Actually this is not true. Usually, fighting such opponents and using an aggressive style against them ends in defeat. A passive player will wait for a better hand and enter the battle only with a certain victory. It is better not to play against such opponents and wait for other players to knock them out of the hand.

It is recommended to sit to the right of a tight passive opponent. Such a player will rarely raise bets. And we can take advantage of the position and try to steal. Such a player cannot be knocked out by quick and active actions. It is better to slowly take part of the pot from a passive opponent and not bluff. It's quite easy to read such an opponent's hand. The player will only go with the best combination. Therefore, when he calls or bets, it is recommended to immediately fold the middle hand.