Cash Play versus Tournament Play.

It appears to me that many online players cannot differentiate cash play versus tournament play. This is a problem both offensively, and defensively. The first of two major losing strategies I usually see are the tournament players that play very loose yet without the discipline to get away from a flop. The other major impact affects very tight cash players that cannot lay down hands when loose players take them on.

A selectively loose call on a cash table is nothing more than speculating. If the flop misses, a disciplined Loose Aggressive (LAG) player knows when to muck. Day after day I see very tight players lose huge pots on cash tables, just because they cannot adjust to LAG players. In general, LAG players enjoy taking on Tight Passive players. Tight Aggressive players are more of a challenge but still much more predictable than loose players. This style in tournament play is very risky for the LAG player, but has great advantages when they hit a few flops early on.

In tournament play, LAG players tend to be their own worst enemies. Their goal of course is to build up an early chip leads. The problem, if they do not catch a hand early, they are way behind in early. This forces them to just go for it and move on if they have to. You can spot these players on cash tables. They risk all their chips a lot; so tend to buy in short. They have no problem paying to see the river with any pair or any 2 high cards. This of course is frustrating for tight players, as it is sometimes hard to figure out if the LAG player is disciplined or not. That is, as they playing a chase or playing a made hand.

To add to this confusion, try reading any poker book or online article. Most players do not separate the different levels of advice. A guide on limit poker for example does not apply no-limit play, yet many people just take any strategy they read and try to make it work for them.

First and always, never be predictable. Short term you may find some success if you just play by the book. Long term, you just set yourself up this way. Mix your game up, the loose you play the more disciplined you have to be. If there is $2 in the pot and someone bets $8, just give him or her credit for having a better hand when you have any doubts. That same player, or someone that plays the same style, will eventually pay you off when you do have the best hand. In tournaments, you have to win a few races to make the money. Just try and not force things without premium hands, or without catching a great flop.