Three Types Of Online Poker Players

by Dougie Goguen | Apr 14 2011

Learn about three types of common online poker players.

Learning how to establish and then manipulate your table image from moment to moment when you play poker online requires forethought and concentration, something that most new players struggle with as they're learning their way around the table.  We're going to review a few different types of players that you're likely to come across at the tables and tell you how to approach them.

Tight Players

It is very, very tough to get chips from tight players who are determined to keep their chips, the ones that begrudgingly throw the blinds into the pot. They're waiting for premium hands only and simply won't play otherwise.  It's rare that you get a real chance to crack these players, which tend to lean towards the older end of the spectrum. They might be up to playing a hand if they've thrown in the blinds, so that's probably your best chance to get some money out of them.

Aggro Players

An aggro player (or maniac) will bet and raise without regard for the rules and do so much more often than their close cousin, the strong/aggressive player.  A good aggressive player is interested in dominating the pot and taking control of the table while agro players want in on every pot, no matter what, and will frequently bet just to see some action.  The best thing to do with a player like this is to set them up.  Check-Raise them, since they'll bet your hand for you and if you can count on their aggressiveness beating common sense, then you're likely to swell the pot a bit in your favor.  Of course, there's always the risk that you'll fall victim to them actually having a good hand, which is something you should keep in mind.

Calling Stations

These guys call. That's all they do. They don't raise and they don't fold if they're in on a hand unless things are shaken up a bit. They just call. If they consistently call and then raise (or better yet, three-bet) on the turn, then it's likely they've got a hand you need to respect. Back off and let them take the hand. You don't want to bluff the guy that's willing to call you just because that's what they do.

Knowing how to read people is critical in higher-limit games, because more often than in lower-stakes and free online poker games, the showdown will be a heads-up event, you against one other player and that player is generally going to be determined at the turn. Try different things when you spot these players at lower limit games and it's likely that you'll be able to use the same behavior against them in bigger money cash games and at tournaments.

Play online poker at Bodog. BE A PLAYER. 

| | |