Your definition of a "Tight" vs "Loose" game

Sklansky in SSH makes the distinction of "Tight" games as those with 3-5 players average on teh flop, vs "Loose" games with 6-8 on average.

At 2/4 Limit, I have yet to encounter a loose game under those defintions. Specifically, it's rare to consistently see 6-8 callers, and I therefore find these definitions not applicable to changing my play preflop.

However, using Pokertracker and Gametime, I certainly have identified looser games in terms of statistical critieria, most readily VP$IP. I usually identify a looser game as one with VP$IP > 20%, and anything above 30% is a goldmine.

My question is, how do others define a "loose" vs "tight" table using Pokertracker/GameTime statistics, rather than simply how many callers there are? And should one therefore change starting hand play accordingly using the Sklansky model?

Thanks!

[flair1239]

It depends on the level.

When I played .5/1 I thought a tight game was below 35%VPIP.

At 5/10 I think anything around 28-30% is wonderful.

Also as you move up the levels you pay less attention to the table as a whole and more to specific players and their position relative to you.

For instance I have played in 5/10 games that were pretty good but the VPIP was only 24%. However I had position on a bad player to my immediate right.

By that same token I have left games with a 37% VPIP because I was sandwhiched between maniacs and had no ability to control the action.

[callmedonnie]

All of these points are very important to table selection I think. I am just starting to realize this. I used to sit around waiting for the best vpip. Now I just find a buddy and have a seat. I still gather stats on tables other buddies are at, looking for a prime one, but vpip is not all there is. Last night I played a table that was about a 20. One guy was a 67 and another was a thiry, and everyone else loved to fold constantly. That said, it was a very good situation for me.

[MyTurn2Raise]

Second the information prior. I look for tables with at least 2, preferably 3, players with a VPIP above 40%

I have yet to play in a 2/4 pp game that i thought fit SSHE loose definition that lasted more than an hour.

[UseThePeenEnd]

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However I had position on a bad player to my immediate right.


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Within reasonable limits, more important than table VPIP.