Changing your style.

[Play Tight]

For the most part I would like to believe I play a very tight-aggressive game. Last night I walked into the casino to find the usuall suspects sitting. One of them actaully said something about my style of play, in a joking fashion, but it gave some info to others and I'm sure got some of them thinking about my play more then they noramally would of.

It got me thinking as well. I instantly changed to tight-passive. These people had no idea where I was comming from next.

I know I tend to watch others and make my betting decisions on their play but this is one of the most obvious times I have been aware of my own play. How often do you change up your style of play? Is this something you are conscious of?

[Homer]

How often do you change up your style of play?

I have no idea. I just try to make the right play each time I'm faced with a decision. Now, that decision may vary based on the way my opponents play, so it may appear to others that I have a certain playing style, but in reality I'm just trying to make the right decision based on how my opponents play.

Is this something you are conscious of?

I guess not, since I've never thought of myself as having a certain playing style. I've always thought as myself as someone who tries to make good decisions.

-- Homer

[bernie]

yes, you should be conscious of it. but no, i wouldnt change it because someone said something. i change my style based on the action/reactions im recieving when im in a pot. otherwise, you could end up 'adjusting' for nothing which could cost you a little in the session. think about it, a guy made you change your play based on saying something. that's not a good enough reason.

b

[dirty_dan]

I think the last thing I'd try to do when varying my play is to go weak-tight. If I had a tight-aggressive image I'd loosen up a little here and there. That would at least help you try to steal some pots or get you extra action when you play something like medium suited connectors fast and flop big.

[Play Tight]

Bernie,

Great point. I wasn't thinking about how it could of affected my play. Forutnetly, for me it worked out this time.

Even though this is low limit poker I have much higher standards for my starting cards then most of the others I find myself playing against. Normally, because there are alot of draws and middle pairs hoping to catch I am overly aggressive. IMO, its better to build pots if there going to stick around but if you can eliminate them early then your opportunity to win increases dramaticly. I know that most people disagree with me becasue they want the draws sticking it out for larger pots, I disagree with this thought process simply because I hate to see that miracle catch straight, flush, or second pair.

Last night I was much more passive allowing others to bet with out a re-raise from myself and I checked alot more flopped winners. The guy who made the original comment about my aggressive play dumped a rack of white to me within the first 2 hours or so and just sat there shaking his head in dis-belief whenever I showed my winning hands. He was so off keel based on my play he moved tables eventually.

[rkiray]

IF the pot is already large you want the draws out. If it is small you want them to stay. In the type of game you are describing, you generally want them out. You are familiar with the FTOP arn't you?

[dirty_dan]

Weak tight play won't pay off. You're giving up one of the ways to take a pot, aggression. You're also ensuring that on the times you do have the best hand or a draw that gets there you will win the least amount you can. You need to maximize the amount you win on every pot you take, especially when playing tight, as you'll only be in a position to win a few pots. By sacrificing that extra money, you won't be able to overcome those times when your nut draws don't make it or when your passiveness allows people to correctly draw out on you.

[Robk]

I think in Sklansky on Poker (or maybe it was Fuzzy Thinking...) there is a great essay about the 3 levels of "correct" play. You should check it out.