The way to beat bad Online Poker players

Author: Simon Dexter

There is no questioning the increasing popularity of online poker and, in any sport or pastime with mass appeal, there will be varying levels of ability.

The simplicity of poker and its apparent ease has attracted a certain breed of player - the bad player - and it is this type of player that anyone wanting to be successful at the game must know how to play against.

The main characteristic of a bad player is the need to be involved in virtually every hand and it is knowing when you are facing such an opponent that should reap rewards for even the most average of players.

Perhaps the most important aspect of your game against a poor player is to curb your sometimes natural (and not unwise) preponderance to bluff. Bluffing against a weak player tends not to work for the simple reason that they seem to believe that they have some sort of duty to unmask any dishonest play. Even at times when it will cost them money and make them seem foolish, they get greater pleasure from exposing a bluffer than winning in the long term.

Another important factor to bear in mind is the need to remain calm. OK, so you have just been beaten by a bad player when you held a pair of aces and they made a straight from a starting hand of 2-5 unsuited. Accept it and move on, don’t get into a slanging match on the chat feature and most importantly don’t go on full tilt. They won playing a bad hand, but it does happen and you must remain calm.

There are two schools of thought regarding playing these inexperienced opponents. Some prefer to slow play hands and try and snatch as much as possible from one hand while others are happy to play a strong and bold game when holding good cards. Much depends on the bankroll of the bad player. If they are short-stacked they are likely to be intimidated by a decent raise but if they are well stacked (it can happen!) they are more likely to call you down and you have a decent chance of taking a good share of their chips by slow playing.

As in all games of Texas Hold ‘Em, it is important to know your opponents and be wary of their stack size. In the end, sensible cautious play should see off the poor or inexperienced player.

Tags: bad poker, bad poker players, Poker Strategy, Poker tells

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 at 11:23 am and is filed under Poker Strategy.