Marcus Bateman / Marcus Bateman / 22 June 2009 / Leave a comment

The truly greatest poker players have no one single gear. All are capable of switching their game up depending on a whole range of factors, switching to the one that they feel is the most optimal for the table situation, and by becoming so unpredictable, they leave their opponents in a very tough position in trying to figure out what to do against them.

Playing any one style in poker at anything but the lowest stakes is a recipe for disaster

The simplest example of this change is when a player who has been playing very tight for the most part, suddenly starts bombarding the table with raises for a short period, using their super tight image to pick up numerous pots with nothing. This initial change is usually pretty easy, but the main problem most players face when they do this is they get too carried away. There is no use changing gears just once, as soon your fellow players will simply readjust to your new style.

The very best players are masters at not only changing gears once, but timing their reversion back to a reverse style to coincide with players starting to feel that they should start calling them down, thus giving themselves considerable action on the big hands that they are now only playing. By mixing up their play in this way, they provide a constantly shifting image of themselves, with the result that their opponents are never quite sure which particular style said player is utilising in any particular hand.

Playing any one style in poker at anything but the lowest stakes is a recipe for disaster. Learning to mix up your game well, particularly when playing short handed or heads up, where most hands are decided on the context of how you and your opponent(s) have played the previous hands, is crucial as you progress up the limits. There is no greater feeling in poker than pulling off changes of gear well, and watching your infuriated opponents start to call you down incredibly light, or fold to your every bet at the wrong times.

The key to all of mixing it up is to be able to know which gear they think you are playing and react accordingly, and if you can do this well you will be a major threat at any limit of poker on offer, as your shape shifting style continually puts pressure on all your opponents.

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