Strategies For Playing Weak Opponents
It should be very profitable playing poker against bad players , but do you often find yourself losing to players who have no clue of what they are doing? This can be hugely frustrating for players that are serious about improving their own game, because when an opponent is clueless it’s almost impossible to put them on a hand, or bluff them.
When playing against such weak players you might feel entitled to their cash because of their frequent misplays. If you’ve taken the time to learn the game from the numerous resources available to you, then you can see how many errors they make, but are also puzzled at how they are winning at the table, and your bankroll is not. This is normal, and it’s even more normal to experience some of your biggest beats online due to players who have no hint as to what they are doing. They didn’t read any books, watch any videos, and care little about bankroll management. Thus they will not be playing position, odds, or hole card strength.
At least you determined that they don’t recognize what they’re doing, and that’s truly all you require to start getting their money. It’s best to try and avoid these players unless you have a quality hand that you can value that against them. There are definitely strategies to use against these players while not putting your own stack at high risk against them.
Controlling the pot size
Unless you have the nuts or a very good hand you want to be able to play against players like this while keeping the pot small until you are positive you have the winner. If you can’t do this it’s best to stay out of the pot completely. When you know you’re strong then you have to value bet when you’ll get paid off by the second-best hand.
Ditch the hand
This will be more difficult because you will frequently have a better starting hand than your weak opponent, and folding is always tough. However this is going to keep you out of guessing games and preserve your stack for a more profitable spot.
Add the patience factor to your game. When you do this, he will certainly give it back to you – but wait, it may NOT in fact be him, but another loser just like him. That is why you want players like this at your table so you can use your skills against them.
Use table position
You don’t want to get caught in front of these players with “potential” hands. Your blinds will get burned away and cause you to make irriational plays because of a dwindling, discouraging game. See low-priced flops against slow maniacal players.
Don’t bluff with a story
They cannot read the “poker story” you are trying to communicate. The board may have numerous overcards to their pocket 6’s and they will still call you. Save yourself some grief and coin, do NOT bluff poker fools.
Trap the donkey!
Once you do get a lousy player in the good situation, then you need to do your best to trap him for all his cash. He may want to bluff you, but he may also call a lot off too. You need to know what kind of fool he is by profiling.
Losing pots to awful players can be really aggravating, but the fact is you DO KNOW they are losers even if they are winning right now. If they don’t give it back soon, they will give it back sooner or later, all you have to do is wait for your situation.
