An essential skill of a low limit holdem player is determining the type of opponents that are at your table. There are four main types of poker players that you can encounter. They are Tight Aggressive (TAG), Loose Aggressive (LAG), Tight Passive (TPP) and Loose Passive (LPP). Each player has their own characteristics and I’m going to give you tips on how to beat each type.
In order to classify a player into one of the four categories we first need to understand what the terms tight/loose and aggressive/passive mean in the context of poker. A tight player plays very few starting hands and will only go to the showdown with a near lock. Of course there are varying degrees of tightness but as a general rule a player who sees the flop 20% of the time or less I would consider to be a tight player. Of course the less hands they see the more of a “rock” that player is and the better their starting hands will be. Anyone playing more than 20% of their hands is on the loose end of the scale. Below is a general guide as to what your opponents starting hand ranges are in respect to the % of flops they see:
Flops Seen 5% (5.6%) is represented nearly by 88+,ATs+,KQs,AKo
Flops Seen 10% (10.3%) : 77+,A9s+,KTs+,QTs+,AJo+
Flops Seen 15% (15.1%) : 77+,A7s+,K9s+,QTs+,JTs,ATo+,KTo+,QJo
Flops Seen 20% (20.4%) : 66+,A4s+,K7s+,Q9s+,J9s+,T9s,A9o+,KTo+,QTo+,JTo
Flops Seen 25% (25.2%) : 66+,A2s+,K6s+,Q8s+,J8s+,T8s+,A7o+,K9o+,QTo+,JTo
Flops Seen 35% (35.3%) :55+,A2s+,K3s+,Q5s+,J7s+,T7s+,97s+,87s,A4o+,K8o+,
Q9o+,J9o+,T9o
Flops Seen 50% (50.7%) : 33+,A2s+,K2s+,Q2s+,J4s+,T6s+,96s+,86s+,76s,65s,A2o +,K5o+,
Q7o+,J7o+,T7o+,98o
Flops Seen 75% (75.9%) : 22+,A2s+,K2s+,Q2s+,J2s+,T2s+,92s+,83s+,73s+,63s+,5 2s+,43s,
A2o+,K2o+,Q2o+,J4o+,T6o+,96o+,86o+,75o+,65o
How to beat each type of player.
Loose Passive:
The Loose Passive player should be the type of player you are targeting at your table. Typically known as a “calling station” a LPP plays way too man starting hands and often calls down with middle pair or less. They also constantly chase draws with no regards to pot odds. Loose passive players are the gold mines you are looking for in poker. There are tons of these types of low limit holdem players. You can sit on the right or left of a LPP and still be in an advantageous situation. If you are on the right you can bet your strong hands knowing they will call down with weaker hands and rarely raise you. However, if they do raise your bet run for the hills as this player has made a strong hand. If you are sitting to the left of a LPP you can raise them pre flop to isolate their weaker hands. You should rarely bluff a LPP and always be betting for value. LPPs lose the most amount of money in poker and you should always be seeking these players out when selecting a table.
Tight Passive:
Tight Passive players can be some of the most frustrating to play against. They do not enter too many pots without good starting hands nor do they raise without excellent ones. You need to avoid the urge to gamble against a TPP. They will rarely pay off a monster with a weak holding of their own so do not take dominated hands to flop and try to outdraw them. Patience is key when playing against a TPP. Winning small pots and stealing their blinds are the way to beat these players. You want to sit on the right of a TPP since they rarely raise and will fold to your bets when they do not hit a strong hand. You can get away from your hand cheaply as well if they do happen to raise behind you. TPP are hard to beat for a substantial profit.
Loose Aggressive:
Loose Aggressive players are the most interesting type of player to play against but can also be very frustrating as well when they get on a hot streak. A LAG is playing nearly every hand and bringing it in for a raise or re-raise often dominating the play at the table. They crave action and are looking to gamble. LAGs can offer some of the biggest profits while playing poker but they can also take your stack easily as well. Proceed with caution when playing against a LAG. You want to sit to their immediate left in order to isolate their weaker hands. Since most players will not call a 3 bet preflop without QQ or better it is easy to isolate the LAG when he is raising every hand. Do not bluff or try to steal the blinds of a LAG. It will just not work. The way to beat a LAG is by inviting them to bluff and check raising them more often. You also want to make more marginal calls on the river against a LAG to pick off some of their bluffs. The key to look for against a LAG is when they do NOT bet or raise a pot. This usually signifies they have a good hand and are trying to keep others in the hand. LAGs can be very exciting to play against but realize that there will be more luck involved in the game when a LAG is present. If you remember this key and stay free of tilt you could walk away a big winner for the session.
Tight Aggressive:
Tight aggressive players are the hardest players to beat. You will generally win small amounts from them but could lose large sums. Try to avoid playing pots with them without premium hands. Bluff a TAG far less often but you can semi-bluff a TAG. TAGs are difficult to play against since they are very deceptive. They will vary their play according to what they think you hold. A TAG is usually a thinking player and will have a good understanding of the game. When playing against a TAG you need to be aware of your table image and adjust your play accordingly as a TAG will usually be conscious of what type of starting hands you play. Do not play a table full of TAGs unless you want to test your skill or improve your game by picking up their techniques. Avoid many confrontations with a TAG and try to pick other players at the table to focus on. This is the type of player you want to be as they are the biggest profiteers in the game.
Determining what type of opponent you are in a hand with will dictate what type of strategy you should use to win the most during that hand. Following the guidelines I have provided will increase your profits at the table and help you become a winning low limit holdem player.
