If you have ever visited an online poker forum, you will be greeted with discussion of various styles of player, described using terms like loose passive, tight aggressive etc
But what do these terms mean? And what do they mean for your playing style?
Basically, players can be grouped into four categories: Tight aggressive (TAG), Tight passive (TP), Loose passive (LP), and finally, Loose aggressive (LAG).
Tight aggressive players can be noted as playing relatively few hands in relation to those they are dealt, typically this will be in the region of around 20% .
This style of play is utilised by the vast majority of long-term and profitable players.
Tight aggressive players are often considered the sharks of the poker ocean.
Tight passive players are characterised as having a great deal of patience, they are also usually classed as a profitable kind of player, making money from the weakest players in the game.
This is considered a weaker style of play than tight aggressive and the usual strategy against this play-style would be to bet and raise them out of contention.
Loose passive players are often considered to be the prey of the tight aggressive players. Poker is a game in which patience and and aggression are rewarded, the loose passive player has neither of these qualities.
A steady, relaxed game with no particular special tactic is considered the best method of dealing with a loose passive player.
It is a safe bet they will haemorrhage money for other players at the table.
Loose aggressive players are also the loose-cannons of a poker session. Characterised as being wildly aggressive, they manage to win big hands and steal pots with no hand whatsoever.
Aggression is indeed the loose aggressive players greatest asset, however, they lack the other vital quality of control.
Loose aggressive players are often undone by their desire to bet and usually lose big pots at a higher rate than they win them.
These styles of play are considered the extremes of the spectrum and most players will usually fall somewhere in between.
Learning a opponent’s playing style is the first step to beating them, so it is important to take notes and stay observant.
