How should I play in a very loose game?

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ThePokerGoon

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I would say possibly tight aggressive is a good way to play a game like this. See flops with your big hands while trying to get as many raise/check raises possible. Don't neglect your suited baby connectors (as low as 2 3 suited) in this game either, they can be very strong post flop if you hit good.
 
OzExorcist

OzExorcist

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"Loose" isn't really enough information. Are these the kind of players who see every flop but then fold when they don't hit? Are they the kind that won't get away from a weak hand like an underpair postflop? Are they loose-aggressive, do they bet and bluff a lot? Or do they fold too much even when they have a real hand, are they scared of drawy boards?

Answer those questions and you'll be on your way to working out how to beat them.
 
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RVladimiro

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We should always adapt to the opposite of what benefits our opponents. So the looser the table the tighter we should be and vice-versa.

For instance, if a 6 men table always has 3 or 4 people seeing the flop, I'm probably only opening the top of my range and pairs. I will flat with small pairs and suited connectors in multiway pots on the button only. I will raise or 3bet with the rest of the top of my range and try to isolate in position if possible.
 
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RamdeeBen

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In a very loose game, the game is very easy to play in most cases.

You raise your good hands, if you find many people are going to the flop, then just either make the raise that big where they can't or shove all your chips in the middle if you're holding a top pair.

You really probably aren't running thast "bad", it's just standard variance poker and you might well be making bets and getting your chips in bad on bad boards etc which all can be avoided.

With you saying "even with the best hand I might be afraid of making a c-bet" This exactly a HUGE mistake with the best hand where potentially there are more than one person in the pot with you.

The chances are, most will catch something.
 
F4STFORW4RD

F4STFORW4RD

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The looser you play the better you have to be at playing post-flop, and you have to know when to fold if you've missed. Be very cautious, for example, if you have played suited aces and hit an ace, because somebody (usually a nit or a reg) might well have a better kicker than you.

So maybe stay tight for the first hour and try to make as many notes as possible on how different people play different types of hands (mental notes if this is a live game), also maybe try to use late position, button and CO, as an opportunity to widen your range.

Pay particular attention to the two people to your left and the two people to your right, as you will probably make most of your money from them.
 
Arjonius

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As with many poker questions, the answer begins with "it depends". In general, it's good to play tight against loose opponents, although as already noted, all loose opponents are not the same. So if you can discern their tendencies, e.g. what do they play among suited connectors, broadways, suited aces, etc., you can adapt accordingly in terms of evaluating how well a given flop fits or doesn't.
 
seachicken

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I wold look into reading small stakes hold'em from sklansky/miller. It's a limit book but i does give you good insite to playing small no fold'em.
 
O

only_bridge

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I would say that if the game is loose but not crazy, then a loose strategy can work very well. Just as long as you play slightly tighter than your opponent.
If the game is insanely loose, then better tighten up, wait for a hand, and hopefully get paid off.
 
Nathan Williams

Nathan Williams

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Standard TAG. I might open a few more hands than normal in position though. I try to play as many pots as possible with bad players when in position.
 
NineLions

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Read Ed Miller's blog portion of his website. Just recently he posted an article that he wrote on exactly that situation.
 
F4STFORW4RD

F4STFORW4RD

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Playing aggressively and with building stronger stakes would possibly help you playing a good game. while trying to get raise see flops in your hand. Stakes should be build in a way that they minimize the flop chances.
Maybe somebody that uses proficient English could explain this post to me, please, as it doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever! :icon_scra
 
JusSumguy

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I think he/she means TAG. ;)


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O

only_bridge

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Maybe somebody that uses proficient English could explain this post to me, please, as it doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever! :icon_scra

I think he/she means that you should maximize your fold equity pre-flop.
But I am just as puzzled.
 
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