Gaming Mania

Do you play poker games? If so, you have most likely seen all types of players, from the maniacs that like to bluff to the rocks that sit there and wait for the nuts. One thing is for sure, the rocks will never make much and the maniacs will end up losers in the long run. Unless you’re extremely conservative, you don’t want to be either. Whether you’re playing live poker or online poker tournaments and games, there is only one way to win in the long run, and that’s to be tight aggressive.

When you play tight aggressive, you’re establishing a table image of patience and well timed aggression. Other players will notice this and respect you for it. Establishing this reputation will make you money in the long run. How? If everyone always thinks you have a monster when you bet big, then you will be able to pull off some nasty bluffs. That said, you must remain disciplined as far as not showing your cards. It might be tempting to show your cards after a big bluff, but it will only end up costing you money down the road. Don’t do it.

Another key to winning in poker and devising a poker strategy that works is to realize where you’re at with AK, AQ and AJ. Let’s look at AQ and AJ first. If there’s a big raise before you, then you have to assume that player either has a bigger ace, a pocket pair, or a suited connector. In two out of three cases, you’re way behind. The right play here is to fold. If action is on you first, raise pre-flop and see where everyone else is at. Basically, don’t call a big raise with these hands pre-flop. If you calculated how much money you won or lost with AQ and AJ when there was a big pre-flop raise, you’d be way down.

AK is a different story. AK is a big aspect of any poker game, and can often determine if you’re a winner or a loser. It’s a very tricky hand in the sense that you don’t want to be too conservative or too aggressive. For example, if you get three bet prior to flop, you want to fold. Otherwise, raise big to avoid suck-outs. You should also limp-in on occasion, which will keep your opponents confused.