My name is Justin, and I’ve been playing online poker professionally for three years. I’ve learned more about poker in these years than most people do in a lifetime. Here are the four main styles that online poker players fit into.
- Loose aggressive
- Tight aggressive
- Loose passive
- Tight passive
Loose aggressive- This is also known as a LAG player. A LAG player usually plays many different starting hands, and likes to bet and raise more often than call. Many LAG players like to see lots of flops. They will play hands like 5-7 offsuit and 4-6 suited when in position, but when they are out of position they will usually tighten up a bit. Many LAG players tighten up on the turn and river, and only hang around with the best draws. They will play lots of hands, but will not hesitate to put chips in the pot when they know they have a good shot at winning. Many LAG players tighten up on the turn and river, and only play hands, such as 5-7 offsuit, when in position. It is hard to put a player on hand ranges when using advanced poker strategy, but you can narrow down hands using position and hand strength.
Tight aggressive- This is also known as a TAG player. TAG pokerrepublik players usually play premium hands only in full ring games and tournaments. Most TAG players raise pre-flop according to the strength of their hand. This can be good and bad for the player, as they will usually gain some respect, but some TAG players can be very predictable. Players who are always raising pre-flop with big hands, have a tendency to get pushed around by tight players. Because tight aggressive players usually take more risks, the TAG player needs to be more aggressive pre-flop to withstand the pressure, and to win big pots.
Loose passive- This is also known as a LP player. LP players are very predictable, and can be picked easy. Many poker players tighten up their hand ranges significantly around the blinds and flop, and look for opportunities to exploit. Many poker players look at the first round of betting, and if they have a good starting hand, will not initiate a raise. Often, limpers and LTs will limp in, just to see a flop. The TAG player will always raise the LTs and small blind, and limp in himself, making it very easy to build a pot. The TAG player wins big pots because he is unpredictable. You won’t know what cards he has, or what cards he will limp with. If you are up against the TAG player, you need to be more aggressive pre-flop, or you will lose big pots.
The TAG player dominates online poker tournaments because he is very strong and because he wins big pots. You can’t be aggressive pre-flop if you don’t have a hand, and you won’t have a hand if you don’t raise. Affiliates and customers are the first to be targeted by the shark, so be wary.