I know my Opponent is Solid… what now?

I have a few questions that I would greatly appreciate a few opinions about.

I know there is an archive here with most of these topics already being discussed in them, and believe me, I search these topics too. But my searches for these questions seem to only result in enough generalization of the actual strategy behind the questions, that I find myself finally coming back to the original question again.

Please don’t think I’m looking for the definite answer that will “be all” and “end all” in poker. But I would greatly appreciate any insight and opinion you may have on these general topics and questions.

Okay, so……….

I know my Opponent is Solid… what now?
(My opponent rarely has to show his cards.)

Try to assume this question from the point of view at any poker table with any limit or any style. Please help me with the plan you choose, given this piece of information in any circumstance, with this information being at least one of the facts you have going in pre-flop and then beyond to your overall strategy.

What other factors matter the most with at least this piece of information in your plan? What are your goals in the situation? And how do you get to them? Do you try to push your opponents to change that current state of mind, or do you use it against them? What would make you think they are bluffing and chasing, or just playing straight up and pot building? What would make you consider putting odds and outs to the side? What else could you do if you first plan fails and what identifies that failure?

Please help me with your thoughts on positions, odds, and specific hands. But try to remember that more generally, I’m looking for your strategies for attack, withdraw, or quite play in these situations. Or your overall game plan, along with as much information of when and how you would change that plan.

Again, I really do Thank-you for your comments.

if you know he's solid, try and avoid playing pots with him. Pick your battles.

Thank-you for your comment.

Definitely a point to consider. But try to assume you 'are' going to play this guy.

What position do you take? What plan do you have if the flop shows good for you? Do you consider trapping him? Do you just slow play him? Or do you raise and play more aggressive? What if your in front and the turn comes, but against your favor? What if you think he's buying the pots?

Obviously you take the stance of playing tighter against a solid player. But I'm sure there was a time or two you that you saw it played through to the end of the hand. What was your plan?

I would keep him off balance. By this I mean if you think he is only playing solid cards I would raise with a 9 10 or 7 8 suited hope to connect on a straight or flush. If you miss just one continuation bet then lay it down if he is still around.

If you think he is buying pots and he is acting after you limp with big hands and try to trap him by hitting a big hand.

You have to watch out though Im not sure if you mean a super aggressive player or just a good player. I would not try to dance with less than two pair too often against him if he is just solid. Even with two pair you may be taking a risk then.

Just like with any other player, you have to adjust to his style. A "solid" player could be aggressive or conservative, and each of these styles have innate disadvantages, regardless of how solid the player is. Play to their weaknesses and use your reads.

By solid, you mean aggressive or tight?
IMO, get a really nice read on him (dont play a few hands, and focus a little more on him than any other player).
Then, do the opposite of what he does. If he tends to be aggressive, tighten up and take him down in 1 or 2 big pots.
If he is tight, then loosen up and steal some blinds, when he raises after any bet, fold to him unless u have the nut hand.

Against solid players i would recomnd being very tight. Here are two simple reasons. A solid player wouldnt give u off a lot. Thus, being a loose player and playing 83o wouldnt pay off. The second reason is that playing against a decent player u should be very aware of traps. Thus, if u have the nuts u can be calm that u arent traped.

I would stay away from that person. Plenty of other people who are tight/weak to terrorize. If you decide to tangle with a strong player be sure you have the nuts! If you play your hand right, you can get a strong player to lay down their hand. But your betting pattern has to make sense.

These won't help alot, yet they are true.
This is the player we want to be, not necessarily encounter-
he just won't pay you off, your draws against him will get expensive and it will be easier to take the chips from someone else.
Having position on him might help you staying out of trouble.

Make sure you play solid hands : tight aggressive don't make bad mistakes because you go on tilt and play solid poker as well. If you don't know who the weakest player is at the table it is probably you.

Hah isnt this a quote from Rounders "If you cant spot the fish in the first 30 minutes, than you are the fish."

Anyway, if there is no other choice and you have to face this player go for tight. Another good trick that i spotted watching the pro's is value betting. It is very weird how you can push someone off a hand with a proper value bet(or at least you want to seem as value bet, you are bluffing). for example you need 1 card to straight and you make a bet like 1/5 of the pot on the river. There is 100 % chance the decent player would believe you are value betting and you are trying desperadly to get payed on your straight. You may push him off using this technique quite a few times.

I say just play your hands. you always have to consider what your opponet has ,but you could be folding winning hands most who play supper aggresive and buy pots bluff 50% or more of the time. Thats why I play my hand you cant play them.