How to Play Against Different Type of Opponents

No-Limit Texas Holdem attracts a huge variety of opponents and playing styles. From the weak-tight nit who will wait all night for aces – through to the maniac who raises any 2 cards from any position. Profitable poker is all about adjusting to the different player types to exploit their weaknesses. This article looks at what adjustments to make against the different opponent types, starting with the maniac and going right through to the rock.

Player Type #1 – Adjusting For The Maniac

The true maniac is a delight to have at your table – though a potentially dangerous one. Raising and re-raising with any-2 cards from any position characterizes this player. Going all the way to showdown with bottom pair (or even less!) is common. The adjustment to make against this player is correspondingly simple – wait for a good hand and take his stack. Little subtlety required in your play against a maniac, get the money in as early as possible and hope that your strong hand is not outdrawn!

Player Type #2 – Loose-Aggressive Opponents

Before you assume that a Loose-Aggressive opponent has the same tendencies as the Maniac watch them for a round or two. These players raise light and will pepper you with small bets and raises throughout the hand. However, there are actually 2 types of Loose-Aggressive opponent.

The first type is closer to the maniac and should be treated much the same way. The second type is far more dangerous – loose only for the initial betting rounds while the bets are small in relation to your stacks. The thinking Loose-Aggressive player will usually have solid values when the big money goes in. Adjust to this type by playing back with decent holdings during the early betting rounds, if the pot gets big and you are raised all-in then strongly consider folding.

Player Type #3 – Adjusting For Tricky Opponents

Some opponents love to trap, to out-play and out-smart their opponents with fancy ‘moves’. These types are often characterized by ‘back-to-front’ betting, they will check when strong and raise when weak. Fortunately the overly tricky opponent is easy to adjust to, re-raise them often with strong hands, take free-cards when they check to you, and make small bluffs late in the hand that look like you would like to be called – your tricky opponent will see through your ‘move’ and will fold rather than pay you off!

Player Type #4 – Tight-Aggressive Opponents

Tight-Aggressive Opponents usually have solid values when they raise, often waiting for a good hand for several rounds before they enter a pot with strong bets and raises. Many of these opponents will not easily lay down their strong holdings after the flop – meaning that you have excellent ‘implied odds’ for hands such as small pairs. While the tight-aggressive opponent bets his pair of aces for value on each street you can comfortably call with your set of 6’s, by the time you re-raise the river your opponent will already be committed to the pot.

Player Type #5 – Adjusting For The Rock

The rock will wait all night for aces – and then wonder why nobody calls when the raise finally appears! It is difficult to win a big pot from a rock, this player type simply does not call a big bet without the nuts (or something very close). Instead your adjustment should come in the early betting rounds – particularly pre-flop. If the rock raises then fold all but the best hands. If the rock is in the blinds then raise with virtually any cards – your chances of being called are slim.

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