How to Play Against Loose Players in Poker

There are several kinds of poker games that any one can become part of. Various types of players play these games and it is important to understand how to play against them. One particular poker player is known as a “loose” player. If you know how to play correctly in opposition to this gambler, you can be very successful playing poker.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Recognize a loose-passive poker player. A gambler who takes part in most of the poker hands by calling all the way to the end with very few wins is a loose-passive player. They are also often referred to as “calling stations," because of their frequency to call practically every hand no matter their possibilities of actually winning any of them.

2. Know how to play against a loose-passive player. It is better to not slow play your cards against this type of poker player. If you have a good hand, bet it. Bluffing will not work either, since they will most likely call you each time. Try to not let a beat from a loose-passive player put you on “tilt”, which causes you to lose sight of the overall picture. It will be a rare occurrence when this takes place, but it is important to know how to react to it.

3. Make sure you can identify a loose-aggressive poker player in a game. This type of loose player will often raise or bluff you and over-bet their cards. They are almost certainly involved in poker for the action no matter what cards they hold. This type of player desires to be involved in most of the pots.

4. Understand the way you should play poker with loose-aggressive players. You are advised to play only good cards in hands with this type of poker player. You will need to be patient and fold your cards often also. When you find yourself involved against this player, it is best to slow play your cards. Let them do all of the betting, while you simply call. In the long run, you will win big pots against a loose-aggressive gambler.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that loose players will get “lucky” every once in awhile, but you can beat them more often than not.

• Do not over react to a “bad beat” when you lose to a loose player, the odds are in your favor in the end.