*FUNDAMENTALS: Aggression

A key attribute of all good poker players
is Aggression. Some people translate this
into I should Bluff a Lot or I Should try to
Steal Chips from people who are stealing
from me, but that's really a misguided approach.
Aggression has more to do with applying
pressure by putting money into the pot
and forcing your opponents to make
decisions (and hopefully mistakes).

Players who consistantly Bet and Raise
strike fear into their opponents.
Checkers and Callers do not.

When you Check and Call, there is
one way to win... you must show down
the best hand at the end.

When you Bet and Raise, there are
2 ways to win.. your opponent can
Fold - you Win... you show down the
best hand - you Win.

There are other reasons to Bet and Raise:

1. To Gain Information -

You get information about the strength
of your opponents hands by betting.
If he calls he likely has a good hand.
If he reraises you, he likely has a very
good hand. If your opponent folds,
he's obviously very weak and you
win the pot.

2. To Get More $ in the Pot When
You Have the Best Hand -

Raising for Value is a very important
reason to raise. You want to win big pots
when you have big hands. Playing passively
will result in you winning smaller pots and
give opponents chances to outplay or
out draw you. Raising protects your made
hands by chasing away weak hands that
might out draw you. You should always
be striving to get your money into the pot
when you have the best hand.
That is winning poker !

3. Drive Out Other Players When You
Have the Best Hand -

Referred to as Isolation, essentially you
are trying to limit the number of opponents
you have beat by eliminating players
with weaker hands. If you allow them to
stay by not raising, they may improve their
hand enough on the next street that they
will continue with the hand and eventually
beat you with a better hand. It's often said
that "It's Better to Win a Small Pot
than to Lose a Big one".

4. Drive Out Other Players When
You Have the 2nd Best Hand -

Similar to the reason above, you want to
eliminate the weaker players from the hand
so they dont have a chance to out draw you
later. When you are 2nd best, you want to
catch up and make the best hand, but not
allow other opponents the same opportunity.

5. To Bluff/Semi-Bluff Other Players -

Raising to bluff/semi-bluff your opponent
can be useful even if your opponent
doesnt fold. You may still gain valuable
information or get a free card.
Raising to steal the blinds from LP
is a good example of a semi-bluff.
Remember that weak players are more likely
to call your raises with any hand,
so bluff sparingly.

6. To Get a Free (Cheap) Card -

The idea here is to bet now to save later.
Lets say you flop a flush draw in good position
and your opponent bets. ReRaising him NOW
(the flop) might cause him to check when the
turn card comes. Him checking the turn essentially
allows you to check and see the turn and river
cards for Free.


For more detailed explanations,
read The Theory of Poker or
No Limit Holdem Theory and Practice
by David Sklansky