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There are as many different types of poker players as there are fish in the sea- pun intended. Fortunately, when you’re at the poker table(s) you’re able to put your opponents into one of these main categories.
*Note: If a player doesn’t fit nicely into one category, then he’s a “hybrid” and should be played accordingly.
1. The Fish
Also affectionately known as “calling stations”, these players are easy to peg. They are too loose preflop, rarely raise, and are excessively passive. These players are plentiful and, as such, will probably be the number one source of your bankroll increasing funds. Fish are known for: “open-limping” (entering the pot first by just calling the big blind) and/or seeing too many flops, rarely showing aggression (aggression, in the form of raising that is), chasing, and slowly losing their stacks.
Thoughts: You WANT to seek out and play fish. They are easy to spot, easy to find, and manage to keep reloading! You want the fish, when possible, sitting to your right so you can isolate them and manipulate them throughout the session.
Tips on playing the Fish: First, when a fish enters the pot ahead of you, you want to raise a lot more hands (in order to isolate them and outplay them postflop).
Second, pay attention to their moves. A fish will often give away the strength of their hand by “donking” (betting first when not in control) when they hit big and just calling otherwise (they have a hard time folding until the river no matter what their hand is). In live poker, a fish will often stare at the flop when they miss and glance and look away or appear distracted when they flop a monster…
Thirdly, fish aren’t big bluffers. If a fish is betting you definitely need a good reason to continue in the hand.
2. The Nit
Nits have some slightly extreme tendencies. They are even easier to peg than a fish but are much more rare at the tables. They play very few hands (overly tight) and are often raising preflop when they do decide to enter the pot. As a side effect of being so tight, these players tend to appear overly aggressive, but the fact is they are being aggressive because they have a big hand usually.
Thoughts: These players are NOT donators so don’t expect to make a lot of moneys from them. Nits are easy to read and bully out of a pot (if, say, you take advantage of appearing strong on an exceptionally scary board)– because, unlike fish, nits can find a fold.
Tips on playing the Nit: First, you’re NOT looking to get involved in a hand with a nit without a very legitimate hand/reason.
Second, since it’s very easy to narrow down a nit’s preflop range (often raising with hands like 99+, AT+, KQ+ and calling/limping with hands like 22-88, JT-KJ) you can SOMETIMES bully them out of a pot when the flop turns out to be exceptionally scary.
Third– the bottom line is that there’s no point getting involved in a hand with a nit a lot of the time. They’re not putting their money in the pot often when behind so there’s just not a lot of profit to be made here… y’know?
3. The Maniac
They are the tasmanian devils at the tables. Whatever their reason– crazy, drunk, or “just having fun” these players are out of control. They are loose (playing an excessive amount of hands) and aggressive to a ridiculous degree. When these players are running hot (not often thankfully) they can amass a lot of money in a given session, but for the most part they are giving their money away one inflated pot at a time. Hands down, playing against a maniac has come to be a treat I savor… all the way to the bank.
Thoughts: Just like fish, you want to isolate maniacs! Unlike fish though, a maniac’s aggression does not equate to a strong holding– he’s just ALWAYS aggressive.
Tips on playing the Maniac: Isolate and be a step ahead. You know what he’s going to do when it’s his turn to act (he’s going to bet/raise) so take advantage. Use his tactics against him. Be more inclined to call down with your mediocre made hands (which have a decent shot of winning against his range) and happy to bet/raise/reraise with your strong hands in order to maximize your winnings.
4. The Rock
Solid, solid, solid. But the only trick (if that’s what you want to call it) up a rock’s sleeve is that he “knows what he’s doing”… almost. The rock is the “ABC” poker player. Almost robot in his predictability, the rock is a good player– but not a “great player” by any means.
Thoughts: The fact that there is no adaptability or deception to his game makes him a big loser at tables where he finds himself outclassed, but a rock can/will hold his own at the plethora of fishy tables where his knowledge of the basics and handle on his emotions gives him the edge.
Tips on playing the Rock: If you’re an expert player, you will know exactly how/when to exploit this player and plunder his chipstack– but until then, I’d say this is a player best to avoid playing.
5. The Expert
Hopefully this is you (if it’s not, no worries, you’re well on your way). An expert player is as adaptable at the table as a chameleon. They are whatever they need to be ,when they need to be, and are ever changing (thus deceptive). They are quick to identify their opponents leaks and weaknesses and exploit them acutely.
Thoughts: Expert players have not only a handle on every aspect of the game but a deep understanding. They are able to use this to their advantage on many many levels and (if they use proper bankroll management and keep their ego in check) they are very VERY wealthy poker players.
Tips on playing the Expert: Don’t.
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