Playing Against Aggressive Players

Because most seasoned poker players consider the best strategies to be those that are aggressive or a combination of tight-aggressive, as you get more experienced and start playing more games you can expect to run into a larger number of aggressive players than are typically seen at the low blind tables most beginners start on. If you are going to run with the big boys, then you’ll need to alter your own strategy accordingly. Here are a few good ways to use an opponent’s aggressive style in your favor.

Fight Fire with Fire

If the game dictates it, then you shouldn’t let another aggressive player prevent you from likewise playing aggressively as long as your betting is always backed by a good hand. If you are at the final table, and especially in a heads up situation, then you should expect your opponents to play aggressively. Don’t let it intimidate you, or you’ll end up losing anyway as the blinds slowly chip away at your stack.

Avoid Playing Overly Aggressive

Many players naturally respond to aggression with more aggression. This is not the same as playing aggressively as a strategy but is instead more of a head-on challenge. The problem with this is that betting on anything and everything can easily backfire, as your overly aggressive opponent will likely find out themselves. Alternately, if your opponent has a bigger stack, then they can outlast you at this little game, making it pointless if not reckless to take them on in this way. Some players even do this intentionally to try to bait their opponents into going all in when they shouldn’t. The only way to protect your chips is to stick to your strategy. With more experience and knowledge of the strategy, you will be better prepared to take on these other aggressive players.

Learn how to Set a Trap

The best part of playing an overly aggressive opponent is that little to nothing fazes them. They’re betting and raising anyway, so why would they let your betting and raising deter them? Ultimately this mindset will be the end of them. Trapping an aggressive player takes very little work, because all it takes is a good hand to steal the pot they’re so eager to build for you. You may have to forfeit a few blinds waiting for a good hand to come along, but if you’re down to a few players, don’t be afraid to make your move on a marginal hand either—you’re going to have to eventually anyway to stay in the game. The best way to finish off an aggressive player is to go all in yourself. They’ll either have to stick to their strategy and call, or break their streak and back off, forfeiting the pot. Either way, it’s a win-win situation.