Be Aggressive - and Win!

Poker tables are made up of many different types of people. Some are passive calling stations. They rarely raise and when they get into a hand, you know they are holding good cards.

Some are in between. They generally wait for a good hand, but sometimes, on a whim, they will play any two cards just hoping for a decent flop.

Then there are the aggressors. And some players can even be categorized as super aggressors.

I have played against a lot of different types of players. I have never known a passive player who was a winner.

Oh, sometimes passive players will take home some money. But a calling station that doesn't take advantage of good hands by putting in raises rarely wins. If he does win the pot, there won't be much in it because he didn't build up the pot before the flop.

A player who comes out betting after a scary flop -- say a pair of 6's with a 10 -- probably doesn't have a 6 in his hand. But he did make the bet and he will probably win the pot.

Raising hands in Texas Hold'em can have a wide range. Depending on your position, you can raise with almost any two cards. It's how you play after the flop that counts.

You can raise with A-Q, for example. If a low pair flops with an 8, you need to bet. While you may occasionally run into somebody with a pocket pair, your bet will probably win the pot since people generally don't call a raise with low cards.

When I first started playing Texas Hold'em, I would re-raise a pot with A-Q. The hand isn't really that good, but it is above average and a re-raise often produces positive results.

An A-K is definitely worth a re-raise. Any pair from 9's up is worth a re-raise.

I like to sit down at a table made up of passive players who never or just rarely raise. Beating such a table is like taking candy from a baby.

If you are the only raiser at the table, you can control the wagering. If there are two other raisers at the table, you could be facing problems. And if most or all of the players are raisers, just pick up your chips and find another table.

When you raise, you put fear into the other players, especially the passive ones. They hate to get into a pot with you. The raise intimidates them and they become even more passive.

Being a raiser gives you an image. That image is another tool in your bag of weapons that can make you money.

Just remember this: aggressive players win. Passive players either leave the game busted or head for the ATM machine. Good luck. Let the games begin.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).