In poker you do not play against cards, you play against people. Most players at a table fall into one of four or five clear behavioural categories, and once you can identify them you know exactly how to profit from them. That is the difference between theoretical GTO play and exploitative play that actually makes money.
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Every poker type sits on two axes: how many hands they play (tight vs loose) and how aggressive they are when they do (passive vs aggressive). The four combinations give the four classic types. You measure this with VPIP (percentage of hands where they voluntarily put money in) and PFR (percentage where they raised preflop). VPIP 22 / PFR 18 is a textbook TAG; VPIP 45 / PFR 6 is a pure calling station.
The most profitable player in poker. Opens strong hands from good positions, bets consistently, and folds quickly when the hand does not develop. Against a TAG, respect their raises, attack the positions where they are forced to fold, and do not bluff into boards that favour their range. If you want to become a TAG, start with the preflop chart.
Plays a wide range and applies pressure on every street. A good LAG is the toughest opponent there is, but an average LAG bluffs too much. The key: widen your calling range, do not fold middle pairs, and let them bluff into your strong hand. More on exploitative play.
Plays 10% of hands or fewer, and only monsters. Against a nit you can steal blinds almost risk-free, but the moment they raise you fold even good hands. Rule of thumb: a nit\'s second raise is almost always real.
Pays almost any bet but almost never raises. This is the most profitable type to play against — provided you stop bluffing. Against them: very wide value betting, three streets with top pair, and zero bluffs. See when to bluff and when not to.
Raises with everything, on every street, with no visible logic. The temptation is to fight back — that is the mistake. The correct approach is to tighten up, let them build the pot themselves, and check-call or check-raise instead of leading out. They will hand you their stack within an hour.
You do not need a HUD. Count how many times each opponent enters the pot out of ten hands, and how many of those they raised rather than just called. Those two numbers give you 80% of the picture. Watch bet sizing too: a player who always bets the same size regardless of hand is easy to read. More signals in body language and tells.
For most players TAG is the right base — it forgives mistakes and produces steady profit. Once the base is solid you can add LAG elements in late position and against weak opponents. Structured training is in the poker academy, and you can practise against computer opponents in play vs AI.
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