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Aggressive play when the table is weak

So you know that tight aggressive is the way to go in poker. But what exactly does it mean? In this article, we give you a few example of aggressive moves that you can use in cash games as well as in tournaments. Bear in mind that whether these moves will be profitable or not depends a lot on your table image. If you have been playing like a maniac, those moves may not work for you at all! At the same time, we recommend using those moves at weak tables and against weak opponents.

That said, be careful and do not use those moves against strong players - they may be able to look through your moves and try to trap you.

Dealing with donk bets

You have made a raise preflop, and now a player who has called your preflop raise bets into you out of position. Usually, in a situation like this, players tend to check to the raiser. At this point, you have to think about why that player made that donk bet. If he had a strong hand, would he not just check and wait for you to bet? Donk bets, most of the time, mean a weak hand or a draw. The donk bettor is either looking for information, or trying to set a price to see the next card.

The right solution here would be not to just call the donk bet, but to raise. Chances are the donk bettor will fold right away, or check and fold to a second bet on the turn. In this scenario, your own hand is of minor importance. This move works as a total bluff, when you hold a drawing hand (you can take a free look at the river card if you choose to check behind on the turn), and with strong hands as well.

Bet when you opponent stops betting

Most players know that after they raised pre-flop, a continuation bet after the flop is a standard play, even if the flop was not good for them. But only strong players will fire a second or even third bullet unless they have connected with the board. That means that weaker players will often bet after the flop, but check the turn. You can exploit this by calling the bet on the flop (you will often hear the term "floating" - calling a bet with the intention to move the opponent off his hand later). If your opponent checks the turn, bet out. We recommend to bet about half the pot, making it look like a value bet. This move works especially well when there are scary cards on the board like an ace or a king.

Using a three card flush on the board

It is actually pretty hard to make a flush. Most of the time, you will need two suited cards, and even then, with four suits out there, you need to flop at least two suited cards of the right suit. But as opposed to "hidden" straights, every player sees a potential flush on the board. When the flop contains two same suit cards, and one player calls a bet, the bettor will certainly consider the possibility that the caller is drawing to a flush. That means that if the turn or river brings that third flush card, a well-sized bet may take the pot by repreneting the flush. Again, size the bet to make it look like a value bet. Remember that every bluff needs to tell a convincing story from beginning to end.

Be careful not to use this strategy with 4 flush cards on the board - most of the time, any player who has one card of that suit will call your bluff!