The Flaws of Non-Aggression

Passive poker players rarely win.

The aggressive player has a built-in edge that no amount of luck or even skill can overcome. It's like going to war with an enemy whose guns are lot bigger than yours.

I always feel good when I find a poker game where most or all of the players are passive. I want to be the only person at the table who is raising. If there are three or more players who raise on a regular basis, you might want to avoid that table.

Poker players generally receive their fair share of good cards over several hours of play. It's what they do with those premium pairs or high cards that makes the difference in how much they win.

Each time you receive a premium hand and fail to take advantage, you lose. You generally will get dealt those pocket aces or kings or ace-king suited so many times in an evening. When the good cards arrive, be aggressive. Make the other people pay for the privilege of playing.

I have written about the power of the raise. It is one of poker's most potent weapons and should not be under-estimated.

If the other players know you are a raiser and they play a non-aggressive brand of poker, you have a distinct edge over them. You raise with ace-king, they call with lesser cards, and the flop comes seven-five-two non-suited. Your follow up wager after the flop will often win, and if not on third street, a follow-up bet on the turn will usually take the pot.

Non-aggressive players fail to take advantage of their premium hands. They don't get in that extra bet and add money to the pot. Even if their hand hits, they win less money than if they had acted aggressively.

If you know a certain player in the game is passive, always sit directly to the right of the person. That way, you can limp into the pot with a less than perfect hand and not fear a raise.

A while back, I wrote a column on 'The Most Dangerous Player.' I wrote it then and I will write it now: You should be the most dangerous player at your table. If you aren't, be prepared for the consequences.

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 ).