Is it Better to Be Tight or Loose in Poker?
You are either tight or loose in poker, and less likely in between, but which is better? A tight poker player is a player who is less likely to continue playing a weak hand. This is the type of player that avoids bluffing aggressively to scare other players off.
A loose player is the opposite of a tight player. This type of player prefers staying in the game and pushing other players off with the hopes of remaining with the pot.
The best strategy is to be both. If you are playing against tight players, you have to be loose and play tight against loose players.
How to Spot a Tight or Loose Poker Player
Being tight or loose in poker has more to do with a person’s personality than with one’s strategy. For example, a risk-oriented person is more likely to be a loose player than a person who is afraid of risks. However, since there is no way of knowing a person’s personality, particularly when playing online poker, you have to find other ways to understand the type of players you play against. This is why we have outlined a few hints to help you identify the types of players you are faced with.
These are some of the characteristics of each type of player:
Tight Poker Players:
- Fold more often.
- Often win in the showdown.
- If they raise, they are likely to play until the showdown.
Loose Players Poker Players:
- Raise more often.
- Do not fold easily.
- Tend to lose in the showdown.
How to Play Tight Players in Poker
Tight poker players are players who avoid losing by folding a weak hand. In simple terms, they are careful players. If you find yourself playing on a table filled with these types of players, you have to be the opposite. You can beat tight players by bluffing aggressively. If you decide to play loose against these types of players, you ought to stay loose, no matter your hand strength.
How to Play Loose Players in Poker
Loose players are great pot growers, you will make a lot of profit playing against these types of players. However, the trick is to only stay in the game when you have a good hand. Otherwise, you too would be playing loose and could potentially lose.
Is it Better to be Tight or Loose in Poker – Our Final Thoughts
Deciding whether to be tight or loose in poker should be informed by a few factors. Sometimes you will find yourself at a table with both tight and loose players. This is when it is going to be difficult to decide how to play. In that case, we advise that you look at how each player is playing.
If tight players flop and you are up against loose players, fold if you are holding a weak hand. You should also fold a weak hand if tight players stay in the game. If you hold an improvable hand and tight players fold, you can keep betting against the loose players.
The ultimate aim is to determine whether you are up against a tight or loose poker player and play accordingly.
