Poker is a very challenging card game because we not only handle cards but players as well. One of the most challenging aspects of handling poker players is when we handle tight-passive ones. How should handling poker players - the tight-passive types - be done effectively?
One way of handling poker players who have tight-passive tendencies is to play aggressively. These players mostly don't stand a chance with the action-packed nature of no-limit Texas holdem. Most of these players are hesitant risk-takers, if they take any at all. They want good hands but do not wish to take risks betting aggressively with them - or perhaps don't know how. Handling poker players like them should be easy. We just bluff by making a raise pre-flop and attempt to take down the pot during the flop.
Another way of handling poker players with tight-passive plays is to frustrate their win chances in the hand. We'd know easily if these players hold strong hands - they'd bet strong. If they hardly bet or make weak ones, they probably have weak hands or waiting for a draw. Thus, if they come betting strongly, we know they have solid hands. We fold immediately to limit the pot they would win.
When we have a solid hand to control players with, we should use them in handling poker players, especially the tight-passive. We may force them to react to our bet - like when we punish them for merely calling our bluff - or when they would want to see how strong they are in the hand. Also, tight-passive players can be easily intimidated to merely call or fold when we have a strong hand.
Tight-passive players may be good in limit Texas holdem. But this gives them a habit that makes them play badly in no-limit. In limit poker the uniform betting takes away all appreciation of hand values. This is when players hesitate to up their bets when they hold solid hands in no-limit. No-limit players easily recognize a potential hand when they see one and bet all the way to work out a hefty pot. Thus, in handling poker players with tight-passive persuasion, we go all out with our bets before they think of exploiting their hand potential with aggressive betting.
However, we should also remember that tight-passive players are pretty sharp with their hand play. They may not bet their strong hands so much, but they only play strong hands. Thus, handling poker players of their kind should be with hand strength and strategy.
