Posted Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:06 am GMT by Acquisitioner
This is a simple question, maybe requiring a long answer. What's the key to being aggressive without being loose?
i.e. Aggressive players generally win, loose players generally lose. Aggressive players know when to raise a second best hand, while loose players call rags hoping a bluff will win them the pot.
Thanks.
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Posted Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:27 am GMT by shorn7
Loose players are generally more passive meaning they call too much. Calling is generally bad in a lot of situations since the only way you can win is to show down the best hand.
Aggressive players on the other hand rarely call (in fact when one does, look out). They use position as a hammer and raise liberally on early streets to try to either take the pot now or increase their chances of winning it later by limiting the field. This isn't something that you should do too liberally; but if you have a hand that is worth a call, then raising in position should definitely be a consideration.
You need to also remember that folding is a weapon. Aggressive players tend to also fold a lot. But, when they choose to be in a pot, they want to be in control. Hence the moniker "Tight Aggressive" which we should all strive to work toward.
Hope this helps.
Shorn
Posted Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:01 pm GMT by Acquisitioner
So perhaps you can help me translate this concept into a real game situation. (Because if I don't start to understand this facet of the game, I probably won't be able to afford playing it anymore).
This is a situation I find myself in often, and it seems I always make the wrong play by either staying in too long, or being scared off of what may be the best hand:
I'm on the button in a limit ring game with Kh-10h. Pre-flop the aggressive player in middle position raises, I call and the opponent on my right calls. Everyone else folds, so three of us now in the pot for two small bets.
The flop comes As-Ks-2h. Mr. Aggressive bets, guy on my right folds.
So what do I do here? Raise, and risk a re-raise? Or passively call, at which point he'll probably figure out I'm on Kings.
Does my strategy change if there's one other aggressive player in the action?
And is there anything I can look to on the turn and river to help me figure out where I stand?
Posted Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:48 pm GMT by shorn7
I think what you need to do is to 3-bet preflop to take control IF you are going to stay in the hand. IF the guy is aggressive, then he clearly could be raising light (with marginal values), so make him pay for that. Then continue being the aggressor when checked to on the flop. If he still calls, then re-evaluate on the turn as to whether to bet or not.
The key here is control. When in position, you don't want to relinquish control unless you are folding or have a hand so big that you want people to draw against you. So, in this specific case, I think it is 3-bet or fold preflop.
Posted Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:25 am GMT by lwestatbus
You're asking some good questions around this issue. Be sure to indicate whether you're playing limit or NL (as you did in your follow up post) as some answers vary widely depending on which you're playing.
You've already pegged the raiser as aggressive. What has he been aggressive with? This is really, really important. (See my response to your other post in this forum.)
Let's say this guy will raise with any pair or sometimes with suited connectors (or, a worry, any ace). You have 2d pair and an OK kicker, a backdoor flush draw and a backdoor nut straight draw. I think you have three choices here:
1. Do an 'information raise' on his flop bet. BTW: you almost NEVER see a preflop raiser not bet the flop (called a 'continuation bet'). If he raises you back you can be suspicious and consider choice 2 or 3 below (especially 3) with relatively cheap information. If he calls you (doesn't reraise) this both tells you something AND is likely to buy you a free card on the turn.
2. Call him down. This is going to cost you 2.5 more big bets. You're going to have invested 3.5 BB for a payoff of 4.5 BB (plus blinds?). Not a really great return and this decision will be heavily influenced by your history of what he has been raising with. (Actually, this may only cost you 1.5 BB uninformed. If he was raising with crappola (no ace) he is really likely to fire on the turn and check the river. Then you bet the river.)
3. Fold. Never be afraid of folding. Brunson calls folding a weapon!!! It rankles, I know. You feel like you're giving in to the schoolyard bully in front of the prettiest girl in class. But you can use this and other folds to build a table image for yourself (timid), be aware of it!!! and later use that image to just cram it right up his a** with your flopped set to your pocket threes. (Not sure if you can say 'ass' in the forum so I'll use the little 'a**' version.)
Lastly, never, never worry about what anyone else (or you for that matter) thinks about you folding in any situation. You are in control of your decisions.
The final lastly, if you push back with the right hand and opponent and it is the one time he really did have the goods don't let that change your approach!!!
Posted Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:08 pm GMT by Acquisitioner
Thanks a million for the replies; both to this post and to the other one. I've played poker all my life, but Texas Hold'Em only for the past couple of years. I've really only started to study the game in the past 12 months. I find I post here more when I go on a losing streak. Lately there seem to be many of them. I don't consider myself a loose player, but I may be a little predictable. It seems half the battle is not just fixing the leaks in your game, but in determining what they are in the first place. (BTW, I play mostly 6-UP ring games, .10/.20).
I have never known a game to mess with your head the way this one does. 
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