LAG directly to your left

Played a live 9 person SnG tournament with some of my friends this weekend. Ended up with a crazy LAG (loose aggressive player) directly to my left. His pre-flop raise percentage had to be >50%.

What is the best way to combat a LAG player that is sitting directly to your left? It is tough to call and see a flop, as you will be playing out of position. It is also worth noting that I got relatively card dead (and eventually short-stacked) as it went to 5 people.

Generally just widen your range. If he's raising a lot you can 3b jam over his raises a lot especially if you've been tighter earlier on.

JohnBoyWWFC said:

Generally just widen your range. If he's raising a lot you can 3b jam over his raises a lot especially if you've been tighter earlier on.

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+1
If you've read any of my previous posts, then you probably know that I am not a big fan of pre-flop shoves. This might be the exception. I'm going to probably open my range up slightly against this guy. I'm going to 3-bet him to see how serious he is. When I pick up a big hand, I'm going to be praying for a 4-bet so I can jam my stack down his throat. This might settle him down, but it could also be dangerous. If he is the gambling type he might call you just for giggles and get lucky on you.

IntenseHeat said:

+1
If you've read any of my previous posts, then you probably know that I am not a big fan of pre-flop shoves. This might be the exception. I'm going to probably open my range up slightly against this guy. I'm going to 3-bet him to see how serious he is. When I pick up a big hand, I'm going to be praying for a 4-bet so I can jam my stack down his throat. This might settle him down, but it could also be dangerous. If he is the gambling type he might call you just for giggles and get lucky on you.

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I agree mostly agree with opening up your range, so long as usually he will raise your preflop open...then you can re-pop it Some lags will just flat against preflop aggression then try to out play you after the flop since they have position. You're only gonna connect with the flop 1 in 3 times and you're OOP the rest of the hand. I typically find a cbet on the flop against this type of player doesn't often get it done because they're looking to float on you often. Then you've gotta be ready to barrel the turn.

kltpzyxMrM said:

I agree mostly agree with opening up your range, so long as usually he will raise your preflop open...then you can re-pop it Some lags will just flat against preflop aggression then try to out play you after the flop since they have position. You're only gonna connect with the flop 1 in 3 times and you're OOP the rest of the hand. I typically find a cbet on the flop against this type of player doesn't often get it done because they're looking to float on you often. Then you've gotta be ready to barrel the turn.

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I hear ya. The way the rest of the table responds is also going to factor in. It helps if other players at the table are willing to stand up to an aggressive player. A lot of players will allow the LAG to run the table over by flat calling pre, then check/folding to him post-flop. At times, I have done the opposite and tightened up, allowing the LAG to run the table over, winning a bunch of small pots, then chipping up through him with premium hands. The danger in that is that the bigger his chipstack gets, the more likely he is to be willing to gamble. And you could still miss the flop with a premium hand, or have him hit a fortunate flop and crack a big pair. It can be dangerous either way, but you knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred. Buc-ack!

IntenseHeat said:

The danger in that is that the bigger his chipstack gets, the more likely he is to be willing to gamble. And you could still miss the flop with a premium hand, or have him hit a fortunate flop and crack a big pair.

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How's that different than any other hand?

Play tight and wait for a monster. Then limp, and push to his raise...take his duckets.

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JohnBoyWWFC said:

Generally just widen your range. If he's raising a lot you can 3b jam over his raises a lot especially if you've been tighter earlier on.

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I know this does make sense. However, you will then be playing OOP in bigger pots, with hands that may be easily dominated.

Me personally, I just tighten up like a drum, and wait for a good spot (cash table).

JusSumguy said:

How's that different than any other hand?

Play tight and wait for a monster. Then limp, and push to his raise...take his duckets.

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No different at all. And not saying you're wrong. In fact that used to be my exact strategy. Over time, I've developed the opinion that it's better to deal with them early before their stack gets to big. While you're waiting for that big hand, they're often chipping up. By the time the big hand comes, you might only be making a dent in this guys stack, and you've still got a loose aggressive player to deal with. But if you can expose his game early on, and others at the table see him raising light, bluffing, etc., they will likely be more willing play against him, causing him to settle down. But if he does, it's likely that it will only be temporary. Eventually he will revert back to loose aggressive play. We are, after all, creatures of habit.

Not saying it's right (for sure) but I might open up some, but to be honest I'm such a tight player, opening up for me might be how you guys play normal. If y'all could, give some examples of starting hands that you would play. Thanks

Yeah the advice above is good, however, personally I would advise against 4betting or even 3betting unless it is a shove. The 4bet shove pre flop is very effective against this type of player because they are often looking to scare you off pots with big bets and such and when you shove over their big raise pre it takes all the play away from them, and many times they will just fold. However, if you simply make a big 3bet or 4bet and they flat you and you miss the flop (with something strong like AK or AQ) just keep in mind that they have a much wider range than you and even on a J95 rainbow flop it is likely that they hit the flop because they flatted you with some rag hand like j8off, which sets you up to lose a big pot when playing OOP, so as stated above, I think a more beneficial strategy would be to wait for a premium hand, make a raise, and then when he starts his donk 3bets just shove it in pre flop.

wagon596 said:

Not saying it's right (for sure) but I might open up some, but to be honest I'm such a tight player, opening up for me might be how you guys play normal. If y'all could, give some examples of starting hands that you would play. Thanks

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+1
I can dig it. I play pretty tight myself, but I refuse to define my precise range. I might have to play against you. I see other cats play hands that I fold without a second thought and shoving with the hands I'm raising with.