Something I've been thinking a lot about for some time is style. I've read much about styles--how Harrington is "Action Dan" because of his perceived rock style, and Gus Hansen is a total LAG--and while neither is exactly the true case, it's their perceived styles that get their opponents' notice.

No matter how much I have tried to change my style, I cannot. I'm a TAG, with more emphasis on the tight. I cannot get my VP$iP stats over 20% no matter how much I try. I just can't find enough hands to play, even with position. So, I'm stuck with it.

However, what I can do is change gears. I'm very, very good at winning a pot or two with good hands, then pushing my hands aggressively until either they get tired of it, or I perceive they are, then going back to my natural style. I do this a lot, both live and online. I play the game for the pleasure of, well, playing the game. For me, it's more like a chess game than a gambling game. Figuring out how to play against my opponents keeps my focus on the game for much longer than simply playing cards.

I've watched a lot of people play, and it appears that whatever your natural style is, that's what you're going to do. Yes, TAG style is a learned style because new players always play too many hands, (and it can be argued we still do), but once a player learns that NOT any two cards can win, his natural style will come out.

So, my advice is give up on trying to change yourself. If you're a natual wild man, then that's it. Learn to play it to the best of your ability. At the same time, learn to change gears. Put some doubt into the opponents' minds. The easiest player to beat is the one with one gear, whether the rockiest rock or the wildest maniac. The tough ones to beat are the ones you just don't know.

CJ

Vp$iP gives you an example of how loose you are, if you are looking to find out your aggression, you will need to look at data such as PF Raise, Flop AF, Turn AF, River AF and Total AF.

I think the best winning method at low stakes would be to play the usual TAG; it would be the most profitable method in my opinion. When entering $200 NL or $400 NL, especially 6-max, this might be the time to start changing your style to a more aggressive one.

Here are my stats for example: (Based on $1000 NL, $2000 NL)

Vp$iP = 46 %
PF Raise = 25 %
Total AF = 2.3

Here you can see my style is more Loose-Aggressive-Aggressive, I enter a lot of pots and raise a lot pre flop. I say LAA, as many LAG (sLAG) will fire a bullet on the flop and only continue when they have a hand or a draw. I constantly put my opponents to decisions that could cost them their stack, however in most cases I will usually have a hand or be drawing to a hand.

I have been working on this style now for nearly 9-months, plugging as many leaks as possible, which were losing me lots of money on my spells. However I would play more sLAG on limits 1/2-2/4 NL, and possible more LAG on 2/4-3/6 and upwards.

Basically many players transfer their game from TAG to LAG to maximise their profits. LAG tends to get paid off more on hands as they give the appearance of an action player. They have a tendency to change the whole mood of the table and manipulate it like play dough.

However with big profits come big loses, the swings playing this style can be real crucial. On a good run you can expect to triple your average earning over half the hours, but like any style you cant constantly be hitting good flops, and need the heart to continue with the hand. Its important to study another player, and learn leaks in their game that you can cover up in your own. They are many ways to reduce the inevitable downswings of this style.

I forgot where I am even up to or what I am on about, too tired.

Good night

Inprobable

I started out very loose postflop but with very few raises. I just wanted to be in a ton of hands with the players at $2, $10, and $20 NL, because they make so many stupid mistakes postflop. Axs is close to the best hand in the world there because everybody limps any two suited cards, and every time you hit the same flush they pay you off with a full stack.

At $50 and $100 I started playing tighter, and tighter, and tighter, and tighter. It was a gradual evolution as I noticed specific hands losing money or putting me in unpleasant situations.

More recently I have opened up and become a positional LAG. Just the last few weeks, really. I'm not sure I'm making more money, but it's a change. It's interesting. I'm definitely learning more things.

When I find a specific opponent who has a specific mistake he likes to make, I will sometimes change my game completely in order to be in hands where I think I can get paid big.

I definitely play different styles at different sites. Being a bonuswhore, you need to adjust all the time.

I don't know what all these "styles" have in common. Maybe I just don't have a style. Or maybe "bonuswhore" is a style....