In poker you are pretty much playing one way or the other at the table,
but you should be doing both, and at different times. Many pros have a
reputation for being a specific type of player, but actually they are
mixing up their play and making their opponent misread their image.
One of the most important elements of poker is position. You must make
decisions based on where you are seated and where the button is. If you
are seated right after the button, you are in early position. This is
where you are most likely throwing away most hands. You do not want to
get involved with a mediocre hand like A10 and then have someone raise
big after you where you can't call.
If you are seated on the button, you can be mixing up your play more.
Feel free to limp in or raise aggressively with mediocre hands. I like
to raise on the button with Ax. Most people will fold, and if you get a
caller you can usually raise them out after the flop because they think
you are holding a big pair. Be careful not to do this too often because
the better players know that the button is a good place to try and
steal.
Another time to decide whether to play aggressive or conservative is
dependent on your table. If you are seated with 5 aggressive players then
you might want to slow down and play tight. Wait for a good hand and
hopefully they will bet into you. It is very important to maximize your
available profits to gain from weaker players.
If you are seated at a table with very conservative players you must
play the role of the aggressor. You will make your money based off of
raising them out of pots. You must be careful, though, that if a super
conservative player makes a play for the pot they probably have something
and it would be best to fold. A very important part of poker is knowing
your opponents and recognizing their table image.
To take it a step further, you should be confusing your opponents on
what your table image is. Make them think you are a super loose and
aggressive player, then tighten up a bit and watch them raise you with
nothing, when you have the nuts. Or vice versa, play very tight for awhile
and then start getting involved in big pots and reraise. Even if they
have a good hand, if they think of you as a very tight player, it is
probable that they would lay down top pair or even two pair.
Another time to get aggressive is when you are the chip leader. You can
use this to your advantage to push other players off pots. Raise before
the flop and put the pressure on your opponents to make a decision if
they want to get involved with a hand. You usually want to be
conservative when you are the short stack because you can easily be called by a
bigger stack or reraised all in. Don't invest any chips into the pot
unless you are prepared to go all the way with that hand.
In a tournament, on the bubble is also another good time to put
pressure on your opponents. It is worth risking a few chips to steal blinds
and antes. You must remember you are always playing for first, not just
to make the money. A lot of other players don't think like this and they
will tighten up when the money is approaching, just hoping to cash.
You must always recognize the best situations and times to get involved
in the pot. If you don't have much money invested in the pot, it isn't
worth it to risk a big amount of your stack just to try and outplay
someone. Another important piece of advice is that you don't have to win
every pot. Even if you are playing the role of the aggressor at the
table, it is OK to fold to someone if they raise you big. This can also be
helpful later when you have a hand, because people will think they can
get you to fold by raising you out.
So just remember, get aggressive:
* in later positions or on the button
* with conservative players
* when you are chip leader
* on the bubble
