Is there a limit to aggression?

In the past I've been the passive player, now I'm the aggressive guy on the table, constantly putting the

pressure on ppl. I only do this on the Button,Cutoff, SB&BB (Only though, when the SB is the only player in

the hand). Realistically I raise about 60-80% of my hands in these positions, and I raise about just about

any 2 cards really. My question is when the players figure this out about you, and they start playing back

at you, then if it's in a cash game (Would'nt this really be a bad game plan ). Since I only raise 2.5x-3x the

Blinds at any given time if they start 4 betting you, then what should I do, should I go back to my passive

ways, for acouple of hands, and if so (Would'nt me backing down show them that A) I'm easily bluffable

B) If they know I'm going to 2.5x-3 bet the blinds preflop, but fold to a 4 bet, then they'd surely pick up

on this fact and start punishing me.So I ask you, what's the perfect aggression limit if

there is such a thing, not to mention ppl will also slow play against me, for the fact that they know I'm C-

betting any flop there-fore if they hit, they usually call, and then the DB happens , and they call, and then

the mega Push, which results in me being broke again or out

I have similar problems when I get a little crazy and start playing real aggressive. However there is an advantage, people will play back at you when you have big hands. You will get paid off on hands other people never would. I would say play less garbage out of position and continue to go crazy in position if it works for you.

You should always change gears when you think the table has adjusted to your strategy. If they're letting you steal blinds/bully one orbit and start playing back at you the next orbit; slow down/tighten up. Wait for them to initiate betting and play back at them. When they slow down, start the aggression again.

You should vary your pre-flop raises according to position (not hand strength); raise less in early position (2-3xBB), more in middle position (2.5-3.5xBB) and more in late position (3-4xBB).

Another neat tip for disquising your hand: When you're value betting, instead of betting the expected amount you should use a bell curve and bet less or more than the expected ammount. If you play three hands where the correct value bet is $100 you should bet $88, $112 and $100. -thanks Phil Gordon

My experience is a table will figure out someone trying to bully pretty early. The key is to change gears before they catch on to you. A couple minmium raises or even calls with monster hands will keep everyone off balance.

I agree with needing to change it up a lot at the table so it keeps people guessing. Depending on how I'm feeling that day and the personality of the table I will create a certain table image then exploit it later on.

if they 3bet light then you can 4bet lighter. its all about the ranges. Try 4betting light in position so post flop you can be more comfortable. Also play your big hands aggressive since you wont get credit for good hands much you can valuebet a lot.

If they start playing back at you, just tighten up your range and play with aggression.

Your table image will be one of an aggressive tight player who dosent raise with ATC.. then loosen up again, until people start playing back at you.

As for slow playing you.. there is a difference between agression and simply giving huge implied odds.

You should not be trying to win every pot you enter and not trying to raise everyone off their hands.. otherwise you become an ideal candidate for set mining etc because of the implied odds you give.

You may be being too agressive here.

Stu_Ungar said:

As for slow playing you.. there is a difference between agression and simply giving huge implied odds.

You should not be trying to win every pot you enter and not trying to raise everyone off their hands.. otherwise you become an ideal candidate for set mining etc because of the implied odds you give.

You may be being too agressive here.

Click to expand...

That's sound right up my ally. I swear it's like a disorder with me, I raise (Pre), and I have to throw out a C-bet (If they just flat call, I'm like ok), Turn regardless I have to (DB), and if they just flat that then really if there's no Flush draws that hit by the river or Straights by then I feel compelled to have to push.

I really don't know, its seriously a strange most of the time I win with the Cbets but when I don't then it becomes an ego thing for me, but I understand what you mean though

Do you have a HUD?

If so look at their fold to c-bet %

If its high and they call.. take it as they have hit something

If its low then dont make so many c-bets a them unless you have hit as you wont often ge them to fold and will probably still be in the dark on what they have.

naruto_miu said:

Realistically I raise about 60-80% of my hands in these positions

Click to expand...

That is too high a percentage. If you try to steal blinds from late position maybe once every five rounds it should be feasible.

Thx all for the input, I seriously will take into my game what everyone has said in here, as for HUD, I don't have one at the present moment cause BR is'nt really high enough for me to have to be able to purchase it, and be comfortable playing the way I do. I probably will have it by the end of this Month (Hopefully, unless I go on some serious bad run).

Once again, thx all for the input.

Just curious though, how do you all deal with limpers? Passive players, If I let them see the flop for cheap there junk hits (Even though, I'm seriously bluffing from those spots like I mentioned, but will Cut Down. So what's the cure to dealing with SS limpers? Cuz that's all I get at the .05/.10 level, and I have yet to truelly figure them out, cuz there answer to me is AIPF, lol.

Raise preflop and dont be afraid to 3 bet a raise.. but you will need to be playing better cards to do that... then you can add some less than premium cards into the mix.. that way your raise should still get some respect as you play enough good cards.

naruto_miu said:

Thx all for the input, I seriously will take into my game what everyone has said in here, as for HUD, I don't have one at the present moment cause BR is'nt really high enough for me to have to be able to purchase it, and be comfortable playing the way I do. I probably will have it by the end of this Month (Hopefully, unless I go on some serious bad run).

Once again, thx all for the input.

Just curious though, how do you all deal with limpers? Passive players, If I let them see the flop for cheap there junk hits (Even though, I'm seriously bluffing from those spots like I mentioned, but will Cut Down. So what's the cure to dealing with SS limpers? Cuz that's all I get at the .05/.10 level, and I have yet to truelly figure them out, cuz there answer to me is AIPF, lol.

Click to expand...

If you havn't tried the 90 day trial of PT3, then give it a try, you may not have a large enough BR to purchase, but at least you will be able to get an idea of where you are in your game.

Aside from that, may I suggest something to make a change in your game that will not be too drastic but will still allow you to be somewhat aggressive, as it has been mentioned above, change up your game by:

1. Go aggressive until someone plays into you, then tighten up until you have a real hand or
2. Go aggressive and change up every 45min.

BTW, what it sounds like to me is that you are either being LAG or tight passive and if this is your arsenal why not add TAG to your game when changing up?

Good luck with your game changes.

lol exact same problem with me...but i know it pays off well when u really have a hand but if its a MTT u really cant afford to throw away chips that way so its better to play tight only...need to learn myself

If they reraise you, you should never call just so that they dont think you
were bluffing! that would really be aweful, cause first of all your calling
with a bad hand! You are puting in money even though u know ur probably
gonna lose it! Next, the guy will eventually see your hand if you keep
calling! so he WILL KNOW you were bluffing, or that you were just a bad
player and don't know what hands are good or bad. My advice would
definitly be to mix up your game. When you see people are getting reads
on you, become more passive, and hopefully a good hand will come soon
for you to get a lot of money since they will be bluffing u back... and your
being very passive, raise a good amount on the right occasion to win the
pot... Thats what poker is about anyway, mixing it up!

turtlerox said:

the limit to aggression is when you have no money laft!

Click to expand...

I love this answer,lol

I think this type of play carries it's own risks...If people catch cards in the blinds often enough, your raises can get you trouble, especially in tourneys and SNG's...I've never really played this way, as I like to limit my chances of making a large mistake with mediocre cards...To directly answer the question, I do believe too much aggression can be bad, and auto raising 60-80% in position is way too much...You can't let your play get too predictable, or quality players will get you eventually.

Nickmond said:

I think this type of play carries it's own risks...If people catch cards in the blinds often enough, your raises can get you trouble, especially in tourneys and SNG's...I've never really played this way, as I like to limit my chances of making a large mistake with mediocre cards...To directly answer the question, I do believe too much aggression can be bad, and auto raising 60-80% in position is way too much...You can't let your play get too predictable, or quality players will get you eventually.

Click to expand...

I agree that this style is high varience but if you can play well post flop and lose the min. amount when you are beat, you will get paid a lot when you have a good hand. So if you are comfortable playing this style i think its +ev