The Science of Poker

Author: M. Mahmood
Publisher: High Stakes
Buy this book at Amazon

<< Previous Page   Next Page >>

The Science of Poker

expensive rounds. On the other hand they very rarely bluff and, if they make a full-sized pot bet or re-raise, you had better believe them. Hence you should sit to the left of tight passive players.

Even though you may like to play against tight passive opponents, they will not make you rich. The amount of money which you can gain from this category of opponent will be small.

1.3 Loose aggressive

Loose aggressive players are both dangerous and beautiful. They are like the necessary evils that make our lives interesting and even enjoyable. Their game is characterised by an unhealthy disregard of the basic poker skills and their philosophy is: "You've got to speculate in order to accumulate.' Therefore they are more likely to put in pre-flop raises in Omaha and Hold'em and fire their chips at the pot, from any position, if the flop gives them a chance to win the hand. Seeing the flop in the latter two games is a must and paying for at least the fourth street card in Seven-Card Stud is a guaranteed certainty.

That is why they are dangerous. You will not be able to read their hands that easily and they will go for any kind of draw in order to win the pot. A loose aggressive player will outdraw and devastate you on a number of occasions, and then he will blunder your money a few minutes later. Do not let this affect your game. Just smile, compliment him and, if it makes you feel better, grit your teeth.

Loose aggressive players are also dangerous because they are aggressive. All aggressive opponents, however bad and wild, are dangerous. They will try to intimidate the other players by betting whenever the pot is checked to them. In fact this is where their biggest weakness lies. They love action and get a thrill out of trying to outdraw or bully their opponents, at any cost, rather than win the money by the end of a session.

When you face a player who just bets nearly every time it is his turn to act, it is not difficult to relieve him of his money. Just wait until you have a good hand and give him the punishment he is asking for. I have made lots of money by check raising or raising such opponents. The wonderful thing about them is that they feel insulted and annoyed when you play back at them. They have to protect their macho image and, therefore, will call your raise with anything most of the time. Although they have

16