To judge the opponent in the right way is very important when playing poker. Observe your opponents and learn to get to know the peculiarities of the various types of play, learn to interpret them properly and learn to deal with them.

Playing Attitude

There are two different attitudes while playing. The aggressive and the passive type of play.

The aggressive player takes more risks, bets and raises most of the time. The aggressive type of play often leads to an intimidation of the opponents and makes them fold often. When playing against an aggressive player you have to very cautious, because they always try to raise the pot and this can be very expensive at the showdown.

If you face such an opponent you should try to take the initiative on your own and you should raise with a good hand.

The passive player plays in a careful and cautious way. He likes the other players to take the initiative and likes to wait for his chance. He always thinks his opponents could have a good hand. He likes to call and not to raise. The passive player can be judged more easily and he doesn’t like the pot to grow too big.

These two player types can be divided into four types of play. Poker players cannot be said to be only of one of these types, but they often use several of these extreme types of play. Most of the time there is one fundamental type of play.

• Typ 1: The Rock- too Tight
• Typ 2: Calling Stone- loose passive
• Typ3: Maniac- loose aggressive
• Typ4: Stone Killer (The Shark)- tight aggressive

The Rock

Type of play: he plays tight and plays only a few flops. Most of the time he waits for a good starting hand. The rock seldom bluffs. This type of play is good during the first stages of a tournament.

The advantage of this type of play is clear: the more probable it is to win the pot, the more money is put into the pot. Early losses are minimized.

Counter play: It is advised to play carefully when playing against this player type, since he only plays a hand, if he has good cards. Do not call with a weak hand.

Probably such an opponent can be bluffed. This player type is very predictable. He often cannot cope with a big blind, because he does not call too often. If the number of players drops, you can play aggressive against this type of opponent and steal his blinds.

Calling Station

Type of play: plays very loose and wants to see the flop at all costs. He hopes to get the missing card till the end. Therefore he pays too much bets. This player type seldom bluffs and it takes a lot to get him to raise. The type Calling Station is a very popular opponent with advanced poker players.

Counter play: If you have a good hand, you should play aggressive against this opponent. The Calling Station is going to call most bets.

It is not advised to bluff against this opponent, because he calls most of the time. You have to be aware that this player is lucky sometimes and gets a flush or a street.

Maniac

Type of play: The Maniac plays very loose and always aggressive. This player type is unpredictable. He always raises, no matter what hand he has. The Maniac very often bluffs. This type of play can be successful at a table with few opponents. If there are 10 opponents, there is a player with a good hand most of the time that plays with the Maniac till the end of the hand and then finally beats him.

Counter play: You should not get provoked by such an opponent and you need patience. You can call a good hand of his, if you have a good hand yourself and you can surely play more aggressive than the Maniac.

Use the characteristics of the Maniac against him. Let him bet and call, then raise at the end. Be careful when playing against a Maniac, since his play often has unexpected surprises.

Stone Killer- The Shark

Type of play: The Stone Killer plays very tight-aggressive. Most pro players belong to this player type. They patiently wait for a good hand and then merciless beat the other players. They use the respect they get by playing this type of play and they skillfully bluff.

Counter play: You should only play a hand against these opponents with very good cards. It is very difficult to win against the Stone Killer. You have to have coolness and patience when playing against this player type. At the beginning of tournaments you should try to avoid the Stone Killer.