Get a grip - make poker aggression work for you : Poker Player

Get a grip - make aggression work for you

Poker is a passion, but unless you can make those feelings work in your favour, you'll never be a decent player. It sounds harsh, but it's true. Losing control of your aggression has obvious bankroll implications but also limits your abilities to improve and win. And so, you need to learn to avoid going on tilt and instead channel your aggression into a position of advantage - particularly in short stacked and heads up situations.

As every player knows, an average chipstack before you've reached the money in a tournament can destroy your game as it leaves you wide open to many a crisis situation. However, once the numbers deplete and there are fewer players, all with some guaranteed cash behind them, the game play should change - with aggression often singling out a worthy winner.

Of course, there's no need to lose it completely and go all-in with 8 3 offsuit; especially if you're against weak opponents. Unskilled or amateur players can be loose cannons and play hands that should be laid down - leaving you inevitably open to bad beats. So keep your head screwed on and your aggression in tact - and only play with those of similar or better ability.  

With skilled opponents aggression becomes powerful when there is less at stake and fewer players involved. There's an abundance of chips available to keep blinds covered, and the difference between payouts means it's worth going for.

Clinging to premium hands simply won't cut it; the danger is that you will more often than not just bleed chips, pushing you more towards waiting on that premium hand that may never come. It's got tilt written all over it - and your game's demise.

The short stacked player should become the aggressor to avoid being bullied. You have some cash behind you anyway and limping is destined to fail. Force bigger bets from your opponents preflop and on the flop to build your bankroll. It's the aggressive guys with the big chipstacks - you're not going to see and loose-passive players hoarding the chips in these late stages.  

But aggression only works if kept in check and consistent. To pull it off, premium hands need to be played in the same manner - otherwise your opponents will wear you down. Don't get caught up just playing hands with negative expected value then downsizing for positive expected value hands. Some players swear by the success of this - don't listen. It the passivity of the opponents that helps these players to succeed – but this is far from reliable.

So why does aggression work? Intimidation - pure and simple. Shortstacked opponents without the sense to push become fearsome that they will be knocked out and play timidly. Bluffs and semi bluffs become a forgotten weapon and you can bully people out of their pot. Likewise guys holding the big chipstacks will often expect you have a decent hand and more often than not admire your courageous play - by the time they've realised otherwise, you should have made enough decent moves and be in a stronger position. Bad etiquette perhaps? In a word; no. You're there to play and therefore to win. Just make sure you keep your wits about you and don't end up on the receiving end.

Written by Liz Murray.