How do you beat a good LAG?

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dtyburski

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Hi everyone, I played in a local tournament the other day and I had a very loose-aggressive player to my right. I was playing tighter than him preflop so on the flop I felt my range was better than his. He would typically raise preflop and I would call with my range. The few times he went to showdown, he would have J5o and hit middle or bottom pair and win.

I felt on the flop with his range so wide, that a lot of times he hit air. But he would constantly bet into me and others. On these flops, I missed badly with him betting into me. I'm embarrassed for asking this, but what the hell should I do? I had no piece of the flop, not even draws, and I found myself just folding, folding folding...until almost all of my chips were gone. Then I went all-in on him and was at home 20 minutes later.

While I had chips, even with nothing on the flop or no draw, should I just have bluffed much more?...and if I was called and beat then that's gambling? I know you have to play aggressive to win, but lately I've just had trouble getting my money in with nothing on the flop and someone betting hard into me.

I'm sorry if this is a Captain Obvious moment, so please enlighten me.

Thanks
 
playinggameswithu

playinggameswithu

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You are suppose to trap them with 1 qualitative big hand. Be very careful out of position against these players.
 
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Sorin Iliescu

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lag is the hardest player type to play against, but as a general rule i think playing tighter should solve the problem.
 
Propane Goat

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Sounds like you should be 3-betting more pre-flop, especially if you're on the button with a playable hand and have position on him. Did you see anyone raise his donk bets post-flop, or did they just let him have the pot?

In my limited experience, one of the best ways to get these kinds of players to back off is to be equally aggressive, especially when you have position on them. Of course this also leaves you with a greater chance of busting early, but some players feel that it's worth the risk instead of being bullied and pushed around throughout the whole game.
 
XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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LAG is very easy to beat.

you know because it is Loose and aggressive.
so he needs to play unbalanced poker.

and because good LAG larged depends on his reads.

so first, you need to play very balance poker, - GTO
so LAG's biggest weapon - reading skill is in vain.
the 2nd thing is when play GTO, you generally waiting lag to play loose to lose his chips in any maths level.

so the easies way is try play like a super computer's GTO strategy.
you don't need reads and LAG unable to read as well.

so preflop , GTO, flop GTO, turn GTO,

I believe the biggest problem is you don't know how to play or have your GTO range. LOL

anyway good luck.
 
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Napkins420

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You don't beat good LAGS ,good LAGS will destroy you.

You beat bad LAGS

Good LAGS play post flop very well
 
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Blair29

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Dealing with LAGS really depends on your skill level and how confident you are post flop.

If your just starting out ABC poker is the best, play hands in position, don't try to play big hands in a tricky way pre flop and tighten your range. If you miss on the flop, fold, if you make a big hand play it passively a lag will do the betting for you for the most part.

If you are a bit more confident you can expand your range but pick hands that flop well. Start adding in the odd trap pre flop. If your in position you can float with back door combo draws or pick spots to check raise .

Also if its a good, skilled lag then the last thing you want to do is start playing mediocre hands aggressively against them. At times it will feel like you are getting ran over, but picking your spots is key.
 
thylmanoid

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The biggest weakness of the LAG is how many hands they play, they play too many hands and will bet too much.
You have to play tight but not predicable. Take advantage of the fact you have position over him most of the time.
 
Amanda A

Amanda A

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You can reraise them in position pre flop with a good hand. At least 3 times their bet and if they perceive you as tight and they don't have that much of a hand, there's a good chance they will back off.
 
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PKRNRS

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Yes, one definitely has to lay and wait on your big hands with these guys. I was also in the same boat recently with a LAG or at times just passive. No matter my or anyone's raise this knuckle head called. He won a lot of pots with a single pair. Then other times he catch some straight. He annoyed me to no end. He was just getting hit in the head with the deck. But I waited and waited. Finally I got AA and raised, he shoved and another player went all-in as well and I called. I knocked the other player out and crippled this guy that had been a pain in the tables ass. Guess what? He came back with his crappy play and catching all the cards. I did my part though and tripled thru him and the other. Just like it's supposed to work.
My biggest problem with these type of players is that I can't play there style. If I played like they do then I'm gone. I don't know why or how this works for some but not me. That annoys me more than anything.
 
frnandoh

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Advantage

Look for where you are better than him and setup your strategy. 1. Is he a profitable player? If he is a profitable player, very agrassive and you dont know how to win, get out from that table if possible, then play in position with a strong range, look how he plays on flop and turn, make an accurated readind.
 
Fahrenheit451

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1) Good LAG plays postflop good.
2) You have a position on him (which is very good)
So avoid playing postflop with him.
If you have a decent hand and he raises, go All in. Not every time, keep balance.
 
gogadgetdx

gogadgetdx

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This, a thousand times, this

You don't beat good LAGS ,good LAGS will destroy you.

You beat bad LAGS

Good LAGS play post flop very well

You've really got to win pre-flop, even when it requires some scary betting. A lag player will, by definition, be out of position frequently. This is when you have the best chance to take the villain down.
 
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Napkins420

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I agree

People are to afraid to 3 and 4 bet with anything but KK or AA

A competent LAG will just man handle most players post flop
 
godblessiraq

godblessiraq

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Tighten up and 3 bet the *%}€ out of him.
 
wsbar

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In my opinion the correct way to play against an aggressive Loose is being more aggressive than he preflop. Expect a strong range and go Allin, even after the increase of the aggressive Loose.
 
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garnerwj

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I dont know if this is still an issue, but here are a few tips.
You have to play possum often. When you have good hands show weakness to induce bluffs. Especially when he is likely to barrel and river jam.
When you have top pair, 2 pair, or a set, on a draw heavy board, make sure you bet an amount that looks like a blocker when out of position to induce a river bluff jam.
Also you have to play aggresive post flop by making him go all in often when you have premium hands. This will most likely make him avoid you or think youre a maniac.
In addition switch up your game constantly to put pressure on him. Limp with hands that hold equity or have him crushed, donk bet when you hit the board strong with cards that miss your range. Bluff when cards hit your range but you miss the board.
Finally be aware of your table image when not playing in pots with him. Many players will be watching you and you may need to use reverse psychology against those players. Make sure you keep note on how you played hands to avoid patterns.
 
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iceiceice

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IP you can 3bet lighter. Just c-bet when checked too. OOP you can just bluff catch with the top of your range and c/r nutted hands.
 
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