Playing Too Tight

I was browsing the forum and came across this thread: Does a nitty style work?

I feel the exact same way as the OP and I thought I'd see if anyone else here feels the same way. I'm way too tight in my game, and I'll only continue getting paid off at the lowest of stakes. I think it's time to "take off the training wheels" as the article mentions. My only question is, how? What are some good videos, literature, etc. that would help me become a more aggressive player?

i have the same problim.
need to steep up also.
been watching the pros play on pokertube,
man they seem to play anything,
becos of this i now think that the cards in and of themselfs are the least important thing.
Table image and understanding the other players is 90% of the game.
Also knowing how to get value out of your hand.
Keep us posted on your findings

When the pros are playing what you call 'almost anything' they are playing a style known as "Super Aggressive"--and when you talk about playing 'Nitty" your talking about what's known as a 'Conservitive' Style, the style most recommended for the newer player. But to be good at playing ANY style, you must 1st be familiar with playing in position and playing the player rather than your cards. And it's time to move up ONLY when you have mastered the previouse style of playing. And then slowley! You can play super tight and ONLY play power hands (nitty) or tight aggresive and play 1st your position and what others are playing in THEIR position, Lose-aggresive where you play less powerful hands but more aggresively. So there's alot to learn about each stlye, and most pros reccomend to get comfortable in one and move to another as well as mixing up from style to style (don't play the same way all of the time) to lessen the ability for others to get a read on YOU--while you are getting a read on them! There's more, but you'ld need the space to write a book on it. Harrington On Hold'em is that book!

When I recognized that problem in my play, I spent a lot of time on low-limit and even play money tables. It really helped loosen up my image (very important! if you're always TAG, they'll bully you), gave me the ability to change up in reaction to the other players' styles, and taught me the true value of position.

Tight aggressive works great in the early stages of a tourney, but you definitely have to loosen up to get anywhere in the later stages.

And keep reading these strategy threads! There are some very knowledgeable and helpful people on this site who seem to have read all the books and distilled that knowledge for you. I've already learned something I didn't know here today: "Remember that the average hand is Queen-Seven Offsuit"

Just start fcuking with people.

Seriously though, I'd say just open your starting hand requirements on the button/cut-off as a good first step. Start playing some hands you figured are trash, and see how you do. My VPIP on the button is like 50%, and its my most profitable position by far. If your % to steal isn't ~1.5-2.0x your PFR then you're probably playing too tight.

Think of it this way: If ATo is -1 bb/100 in EV from early position, but the button adds +2bb/100 of EV to your hands, then ATo is certainly playable from the button. So while yeah, you're probably profitable playing your nitty game, you could be *more* profitable loosening up a hair. Plus, it'll help when you move up.

I have a similar prob, and have started loosening up, Hansen is just the maniac inspiration I need. My VPP is consitently lowest at the table -- altho I do OK, and make ITM and final table an acceptable % of the time, I'm aware that people are tracking me (and me them) and my pattern is too predictable.
It works well for the occasional steal, but when I raise my AA or KK they all fold -- they must know something. So I think the worst part of playing tight is not the loss of some killer flops (like with lo connectors); its the fact that your game is too easy to read.
So welcome Mr. Mix It Up Maniac!!

Listen to C9. Loosen up from the BTN and CO and all sorts of good things will happen. When you do you'll also find that people pay off more often when you raise with big hands from EP. It's a win-win.

I've been noticing the same thing as well. I try only to play the best hands but there are times when I feel like I should see a flop. But being true to discipline I fold what seems to be a weak hand, only to be off-time and see my trips on the flop, and the pot winner has one pair.

And the button, if the table is full of limpers and you think you have no chance with a garbage hand on the button, it could be the winning hand. I gotta loosen up and widen my range of hands.

I find the more limpers the worse your hand can be and still have a chance. Not that 72 offsuit is a good hand but with more money in the pot your overall payback is more so you don't have to hit every time to be profitable. The same hand against 1 or two others is certainly not going to pay enough to consider.

If few limpers or a raise ahead of me or if I'm in early positon I step up my restrictions on hand quality in order to play.

I started out beening a very tight player, scared if you will. Since I've been playing I have found my spots in tournaments were I loosen up my play and it has been very successful for me

i don't play as tight in ring games as i do in MTTs and freerolls.
I like being a bit loose on the cash tables then being tight.... Tho I started to loosen up in freerolls and am getting some were tho AK got kicked by a fing 10 9 even tho i hit 2 pair.

I think the biggest problem in playing is the level stakes you play at. At the lowest level people just play crazy sometimes. Either they are trying some new style of play, they get their money bad, on tilt, just plain stupid moves. When the stakes are low people do not care about the outcome.

Just play really tight like you normally do and start opening a lot more hands from the cut off and on the button. Try and raise something like 35% of your hands on the button. Download pokerstove and run some calculations to see what 35% of the hands are. That will help to open your game up.

I am thinking I might try a few of the suggestions I have just read. I am traditionally a tight/aggressive player who usually places ITM in the tourneys that matter to me. I am going to loosen up a little and start playing some of the starters that seem to be a little more daring. I am going to try this in some freerolls before I try it in a cash tourney. Gl at the tables

Well, with this thread in mind I went maniac in a FR yesterday, raising, reraising and all in with all sorts of hands. Beat a field of 3,000 for a $15 satellite ticket. Gonna try this style some more.