Classifying Your Poker Opponents

It's always important to classify the players you're playing against, so you can adjust your play accordingly. This article will tell you how to play against three common types of poker players: maniacs, rocks, and tight aggressive players.

Playing Against Maniacs

The key to playing against maniacs is to not do anything that will discourage their behavior. You need to encourage the behavior by letting them get away with it. If you re-raise every time the maniac makes a standard raise, he will soon learn not to make that move any more, effectively changing his maniac status.

This is especially important in sit n goes—if you let him get away with his standard raises during the early and middle stages of a sit n go, you will be able to take advantage of him later in the tournament, when his bluffs will cost him a lot more chips.

Playing Against Rocks

Rocks are the most common type of Texas Hold'em Player. They are the easiest to beat, and are usually inexperienced players who think the game revolves around the cards they are dealt. It’s also the most natural playing style, so you will come across them regularly.

Rocks are players that have very strict starting hand requirements, but then play their premium hands very carefully. So basically, they are tight/passive players.

These are the people you should look to play against. Controlled aggression is the way to proceed. Bet at these players when flops look ugly, and they’ll most likely fold. If they raise you, step aside and let them take the hand, but come right back at them next time. A rock who folded the last 20 hands, then comes out betting, is the easiest read of all. If you can’t see them coming, then I’d suggest you take up a different game.

Tight Aggressive Players

The difference between a tight aggressive player and a rock is that tight aggressive players understand the need to come out and fight more often. Tight aggressive players will execute the occasional bluff to steal the blinds, and take stabs at uncontested pots. More importantly, they usually use their downtime to identify opponent characteristics, in order to play against their weaknesses.

Tight aggressive players need to be identified early on, and avoided at all costs, unless you feel you have them beat with a premium hand.

Now that you know how to play against three common types of poker players, go out and hit the tables. Good luck!