Should beginners play tight or loose?

elton015

elton015

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 27, 2017
Total posts
362
Chips
0
As a begginer I have trouble when the tournament starts and I don´t know what to do because every beggining tournament my hands are really good ,for exemple JA QK TQ etc, but the other players raise too much at the beggining even if the blinds are 15\30 the others players have a passion for all-in the whole time and even with good hands I prefer to play tight because is more safely,in contrast if I call the firsts all-in with good hands like those quoted above I can double my stake easyly but I´m afraid of it!
What about you,do you prefer play tight or loose on the beggining?
 
Last edited:
R

Rational Madman

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Total posts
2,478
Chips
0
Tight for beginner, experimentation is how you learn to loosen up the right way.
 
Andrew Popov

Andrew Popov

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Total posts
2,845
Awards
4
Chips
132
While the blinds are low and you still have a decent stack, you should try to watch as many flops as you can. Do not pay too much. Do not play any rubbish hands type 95 or J7, but play any suited cards, connectors and pairs. Do not get carried away by weak Aces and Kings - they will often lose and lose a lot. Your task is to get a good combination on the flop and try to double your stack. Once again. And further. It's simple. :D
 
R

Rational Madman

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Total posts
2,478
Chips
0
While the blinds are low and you still have a decent stack, you should try to watch as many flops as you can. Do not pay too much. Do not play any rubbish hands type 95 or J7, but play any suited cards, connectors and pairs. Do not get carried away by weak Aces and Kings - they will often lose and lose a lot. Your task is to get a good combination on the flop and try to double your stack. Once again. And further. It's simple. :D
Disagree. Early is when to be most tight.
 
MrMeeseeks86

MrMeeseeks86

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 24, 2017
Total posts
31
Chips
0
As a begginer I have trouble when the tournament starts and I don´t know what to do because every beggining tournament my hands are really good ,for exemple JA QK TQ etc, but the other players raise too much at the beggining even if the blinds are 15\30 the others players have a passion for all-in the whole time and even with good hands I prefer to play tight because is more safely,in contrast if I call the firsts all-in with good hands like those quoted above I can double my stake easyly but I´m afraid of it!
What about you,do you prefer play tight or loose on the beggining?
I'd say Tight-Aggressive early. Make those all-in crazies work for you and wait for better hands than those, because they ain't that great. Wait for AA, AK AQ KK QQ JJ. Small stakes/freerolls you'll most likely get action and an easy double-up. If there are super aggressive players, just 3-bet or even flat call with those and they'll probably shove a lot of the time.
 
darthdimsky

darthdimsky

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Total posts
1,085
Chips
0
While the blinds are low and you still have a decent stack, you should try to watch as many flops as you can. Do not pay too much. Do not play any rubbish hands type 95 or J7, but play any suited cards, connectors and pairs. Do not get carried away by weak Aces and Kings - they will often lose and lose a lot. Your task is to get a good combination on the flop and try to double your stack. Once again. And further. It's simple. :D

I like Andrew's suggestion. I don't play like this, but good LAGs make huge gains like this.

I think it's good you're afraid. You're trying to make the right plays at the right time. If you get any hands like AA, KK, QQ, AKs don't be afraid to get it in against one or more very loose players. You will bust out of some tournaments but you will win more often than you lose.
 
Douglas Gonzaga

Douglas Gonzaga

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 1, 2016
Total posts
328
Chips
0
better play tight and with time you will learn to loosen up more.
 
cammySama

cammySama

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 14, 2017
Total posts
8
Chips
0
I feel like beginner do not have the post flop skills to be playing a loose hand range. Some of the trash starting hands just flop too bad and beginners can't make that up with skill in other areas. I have played quite a bit but still consider myself a beginner, and I use the Sklansky hand groups for reference on hand strength in different positions and go from there.
 
nyjah0

nyjah0

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Total posts
179
Chips
0
Probably Tight, Loose play for beginner is hard to play
 
P

PKRNRS

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Total posts
718
Chips
0
Tight is right. Don't be afraid to double up though. Get a feel for the game.
 
B

braveslice

Pull-ups!
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Total posts
1,988
Chips
0
Yes agree tight is right, however if you get the opportunity to see the flop cheaply go for it. That of course assumes you are advanced enough to know when you can see flop cheaply and also to know when you are ahead and are disciplined to fold, and know how to play draws. So maybe for pure beginner, very tight then, without cheap flops.
 
shinedown.45

shinedown.45

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 18, 2006
Total posts
5,389
Chips
0
As a begginer I have trouble when the tournament starts and I don´t know what to do because every beggining tournament my hands are really good ,for exemple JA QK TQ etc, but the other players raise too much at the beggining even if the blinds are 15\30 the others players have a passion for all-in the whole time and even with good hands I prefer to play tight because is more safely,in contrast if I call the firsts all-in with good hands like those quoted above I can double my stake easyly but I´m afraid of it!
What about you,do you prefer play tight or loose on the beggining?
Lets start here, pay close attention as this is extremely helpful to the beginner.
https://www.cardschat.com/poker-starting-hands.php
 
J

johnnysnoo

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Total posts
7
Chips
0
Play tight and from position when possible in early stages. A loose table isn't a bad thing because when you do get a premium hand (AA, KK, QQ) you can get it in preflop and feel pretty confident your callers will be behind.
 
TeUnit

TeUnit

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Total posts
4,734
Awards
14
Chips
77
I dont think you should look at it as tight or loose, but more like being opportunistic. If the villans are shovey- just wait until you have a premium hand, if they are tight -steal from them, if they are stationey-value own them.
 
C

cam13cam

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Total posts
5
Chips
0
Always play tight early in a tournament. Patience is a virtue in tournaments many players jump out early and kill their stacks chasing weak flush and straight draws. I'd say play your hands like A-A, K-K, Q-Q, A-K, A-Q aggressive and you should raise 3x the BB with these preflop. Your weaker Broadway hands and small pairs you should at least try to see a flop with if the raises preflop aren't outrageous so limp with confidence there. Now suited Broadway hands I'd raise especially if the whole table limps those hands draw strong and can bring a lot of value.
 
F

Fastone2

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Total posts
565
Chips
0
I started playing loose. But, would recommend they play tight for some time....
 
wsbar

wsbar

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
May 12, 2017
Total posts
1,097
Chips
0
While the blinds are low and you still have a decent stack, you should try to watch as many flops as you can. Do not pay too much. Do not play any rubbish hands type 95 or J7, but play any suited cards, connectors and pairs. Do not get carried away by weak Aces and Kings - they will often lose and lose a lot. Your task is to get a good combination on the flop and try to double your stack. Once again. And further. It's simple. :D


I usually play this range: TT+;TJo+89s;8Ts.Do you agree with this range or should I expand?
 
Vlad symrak

Vlad symrak

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 30, 2016
Total posts
418
Chips
0
Try to double first with only top pair, and then play quietly and without risk.This method is suitable only for Freeroll and you do everything correctly, but who does not risk, that does not drink !
 
Andrew Popov

Andrew Popov

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jul 21, 2015
Total posts
2,845
Awards
4
Chips
132
I usually play this range: TT+;TJo+89s;8Ts.Do you agree with this range or should I expand?

I think that +22 (generally any pocket pair) and + 23s (any suited suited ones). Set and Flash are always good.
 
M

madi10

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
Total posts
9
Chips
0
Tight-Aggressive defenitely. The most profitable play is usually the opposite of what the other players at your table play. So if they are playing loose, tight it is for you. But if you move to a tight table, loose it is.

About the all ins, it depends on the tournament and your stack. If the tournament is a deepstack regular and I have 30bb+ I get all in only with a premium pair. I prefer to slowly build my stack than double up.
But if it is a turbo or hyper turbo tournament you have to get all in more times.

Also QT isnt that good of a hand and i wouldn t get all in with it if i hadn t less than 10bb
 
Trick1988

Trick1988

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Total posts
255
Chips
0
Tight is right. Don't be afraid to double up though. Get a feel for the game.
 
drolin

drolin

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Total posts
42
Chips
0
I learned to play tight and it's working for me even today.
 
playinggameswithu

playinggameswithu

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Total posts
2,250
Chips
0
Beginning Chips are worthless

Tight for beginner, experimentation is how you learn to loosen up the right way.

Correct. OP the chips in the beginning are worthless but your tournament life is on the line. If you double up nothing happens. Double up the safe way later in the tournament.
 
Nr98

Nr98

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Total posts
589
Chips
0
This also depends on the stakes imo, for example in a freeroll where some are pushing any 2 cards it can be profitable to call one off with a less than premium hand. Tho once you move up in stakes these situations should disappear
 
twizzybop

twizzybop

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Total posts
2,380
Chips
0
To simple, play tight. How else you supposed to know about the 15 top pre-flop hands if you are playing ATC style?
 
Top