Live Cash Game Strategy: Winning vs. Profit

This is an observance I've made, and I'm looking for feedback here from other players who have a successful "career" playing live cash games.

So far, my strategy has been to win the hands I play. So I've learned to play strong hands more aggressively, loosen my range in late position, etc. Standard stuff. And I do alright, BUT...

I see a common element with those who have the more profitable sessions... They aren't playing the cards, they're playing the bets. It's pretty predictable: they buy in with the largest stack at the table and just overbet everything, pre & post flop. Doesn't matter what cards they hold. On one hand, I LOVE having the over-aggressive-bullies at the table because it's basically free money when they don't hit anything, but on the other hand... you have to have the cards to take it.

And that's why it works for them. They don't take it down every time, but as long as they do 7 out of 10 times, it works.

I'm still not sure this is a strategy I want to incorporate to the same level of predictability though it might help if I learn to bluff a little more because I do have a tight table image as a regular who tends to play ABC.

So I guess I'm looking for feedback here... if you play live cash games, do you tend to play the cards more than the bets, or the bets more than the cards?

Honestly, I think TAG still works. Play fewer hands, but play them aggressively.

Play tight, and be in position as much as possible. How tight? Don't play Q-Jo in EP for example...


One strategy that should help you is general: If they call to much, don't bluff them, make value hands and bet them relentlessly (this is what most of the villains are doing at 1/2 level).

If they fold too much, like they see flops with wide range and fold when they miss, then you can identify those players as well. C bets would be more successful vs these types of players.


Your job is to pay attention and classify all opponents at the table, and play accordingly.



This is very basic, somewhat cookie cutter advice. But mostly, your opponents will just call way too much pre and post. They will be passive. When they show aggression, they just have 2p+.

I feel like I do bluff a fair amount, but the bluffing that's done at 1/2 is mostly c bet bluffing when I have a tight, winning image. And to be clear, most of the opponents won't notice how often you play, or that you play tight. But if you are clearly winning, and have a big stack, and they might have seen you stack a couple people, then it seems you'll get more credit on c bets.


So yeah, basically, just sit there and make hands, and bet them. That's where most of the $$ come from. They can't fold at 1/2.

I would say, first watch how they play when you arent in the hand. Pretend you have your hand and are playing.

Second, If they do seem to be the over aggressive type, flat them a tad looser.

Third, If they seem to c-bet alot, check raise them when you hit top pair and see how they react.

Often time players like this play hyper aggressive but easily fold to counter aggression.
If they c-bet too much, and fold to check raises alot. Now you have a play that exploits them.

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm definitely all about balancing playing the players and not just the cards, and to do this effectively I try to project the image I want others to think of me. (Example, I'll give off obvious tells that I'm a passive player). As long as I have the right cards, these hyper aggressive bullies will double me up many times on their own free will.

Of course I'm still here learning. This strategy has worked for me, but I'm not as profitable as the bullies themselves.

I also have a lot to learn about pot equity & betting strategies, because I made a mistake in a tournament that took me from chip leader at the final table to dropping out in 8th place. But that's a story for another time.

Point is, I'm learning how to be aggressive effectively. I've learned to be *more* aggressive where it counts, to shut it down and minimize the turn & river suckouts when I flop the best hand...

But I still have some weaknesses to overcome. I know it's a bad idea but I always like to limp in with power hands. I prefer to see I've hit the flop, and I prefer that others never know what I'm holding.

I also like to play off others' Aggressive initiatives and behaviors.

But I'm ready to learn how to improve because what works for me now might not be the best in the long term.

Aggressive is usually better than passive, in general. We have control, our opponents are reacting to us, etc. However, there are times when we need to be passive.

Don't put to much faith into your opponents taking notice of the image you are trying to cultivate. At low stakes live poker, people don't pay attention. You can literally not play a hand for 5 orbits, and usually still get action with aces. They are that oblivious (usually).


Find a table with ACTION. Switch if you need to. If your table is pushing $20 pots back and forth, switch.

Beanfacekilla said:

Aggressive is usually better than passive, in general. We have control, our opponents are reacting to us, etc. However, there are times when we need to be passive.



Don't put to much faith into your opponents taking notice of the image you are trying to cultivate. At low stakes live poker, people don't pay attention. You can literally not play a hand for 5 orbits, and usually still get action with aces. They are that oblivious (usually).





Find a table with ACTION. Switch if you need to. If your table is pushing $20 pots back and forth, switch.

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For the most part I agree, but I like softer tables. I've sat at some real muscle tables-- opening preflop at $50 (even though it was a 1-3) and they're too tough for me. Especially if you are drawing dead. The most recent was a really sick game, I only played 2 hands-- the Pocket queens are no good with an ace on the flop, and the other one I flopped a set of 8s, someone else had flopped a set of Jacks.

Point being, those hands happen but at a muscle/action table it's too expensive for me to even bother. I'd rather win $100/day as consistently as possible with softer tables and one or two bullies, because my bankroll isn't ready for the swings of $200+ hands at an action table.

Caryn said:

For the most part I agree, but I like softer tables. I've sat at some real muscle tables-- opening preflop at $50 (even though it was a 1-3) and they're too tough for me. Especially if you are drawing dead. The most recent was a really sick game, I only played 2 hands-- the Pocket queens are no good with an ace on the flop, and the other one I flopped a set of 8s, someone else had flopped a set of Jacks.

Point being, those hands happen but at a muscle/action table it's too expensive for me to even bother. I'd rather win $100/day as consistently as possible with softer tables and one or two bullies, because my bankroll isn't ready for the swings of $200+ hands at an action table.

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Fair enough. What you described though is a crazy table. Somewhere in between nitty passive table with small pots, and that $50 pre shit show would be my preference.

Beanfacekilla said:

Fair enough. What you described though is a crazy table. Somewhere in between nitty passive table with small pots, and that $50 pre shit show would be my preference.

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Yeah I get that. To be fair, I outlasted half the people who attempted this table. It was like "how long can you ride the bull" lol. There was one Asian guy who'd been playing all night and it looked like he had 10k in front of him.

So I had no regrets. I was patient and got it in good with the right hands, but it was still unpleasant.

Also, I like to buy in with the minimum on aggressive tables. People treat me like I'm playing scared, and that's another way I double up in the first hand or two. Plus it's lower risk for those coolers.

Winning> profit as always