In poker you are often called upon to change your style and your strategy based on the behaviors and playing styles of your opponents. This is key to successful poker, but just keep one thing in mind -- you can’t forget to change back.
They say Tight Aggressive is the best playing style in poker, and this is true. It does not mean that it is the only way one should play, however.
Based on the table, the cards, the chip stack or bankroll, and even the mood of the player, alterations in basic playing style are not only common, they are required.
When facing a table full of calling stations, for example, a player would need to scale back on the amount of time they may bluff the pot or attempts to build value on drawing hands. If they move to another table with rocks, however, they need to switch back to a looser approach. Many players will do this. Not all of them, however, will adapt yet again if the nature of the game changes on them.
In the same situation if a few players bust out and are replaced by calling stations, and some of the existing players change THEIR playing style (one can’t forget this possibility!) then it may be necessary to return to a tighter game play to keep from hemorrhaging chips.
The trick is not only to understand the need for adjusting and re- adjusting (however many times it takes) but also to pick up exactly when to make the switch.
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