poker is always an internal struggle, and I would say, more so than an external one. This implies an emphasis on self-management above all else. Dangers and challenges lurk in every corner, just waiting to put your character to the test. To become a better poker player, it’s important to develop your character. Any weakness of character not only poses social and practical difficulties; it is also a leak through which your money will drain away. Therefore we should pay a lot of attention to minimizing our weaknesses and holding as much sovereignty over our actions as possible.
It was only recently that I began to give much thought to the link between self-management and strategy. The tight-aggressive style is the essence of perfect self-control. This is known to be the only lucrative style of poker.
If so, why doesn’t everyone play in this style, you ask?
The answer is simple: because it is unnatural. This style is unique, carefully crafted, and rarely found in your everyday game. It is necessary to invest a lot of time and energy into exercising this style successfully. Like an actor who learns psychology.
All other styles correspond with a certain type of character:
The Loose-Passive Type:
These types are very social and outgoing. Their greatest weakness is their desire for harmony. They want to be liked, and avoid coming across as unpleasant. For this purpose they play many starting hands (due to their drive for social interaction), but raise very little and fold very often. This action is aimed to avoid any kind of offense.
The Loose-Aggressive Type:
The “LAG” always wants to be the centre of attention, and makes ego-fuelled moves. He uses the game as an opportunity to show-boat. Everyone has met this type of player.
The Tight-passive Type:
The Rock is overly cautious and has a great need for safety and control. He will never master the game, because short-term control as well as security doesn’t exist in poker.
The Tight-Aggressive Type:
Ah yes, the Tag. The tight-aggressive style is contradictory. On the one hand, it is necessary to hold back, but behave decisively and aggressively when in play. Of course there are some of us who remain quiet until a certain point is reached, and then explode into color. However, this is not tight-aggressive, because the pent up rage is a blind one. The TAG can always pull the emergency brakes on the turn or river when he realizes that he is defeated.
Good policemen and soldiers are tight-aggressive. They possess the ability to control them self, yet can strike without warning when it’s necessary. A kung-fu fighter is my favorite comparison. Like the policeman and the soldier, a kung-fu master becomes good through hard work and tough training.
Oddly enough, the TAG acquires exactly the security and control in the long-term, which the rock seeks in the short-term. He plays a statistically accurate game, and therefore receives a long-term and continuous income. Practice is certainly not easy, but if you pass through this difficult school, you will become part of the elite.
