How to Beat Hyper Aggressive Poker Players

Let Them Come to You

Sep 2, 2008 Mary Welling-Bonney

Is it easier to play against an aggressive or hyper aggressive player?

You will notice that there is no distinction between which poker game you play. Whether you play Texas holdem, Omaha, Stud or any of the variations, all poker games have aggressive players.

If you have ever played poker you have come across aggressive and hyper aggressive players. The hyper aggressive players are the players who will push hard with nothing on a regular basis to sweep the blinds and force you off the hand. Aggression is an important element for any player to have. There is a distinct difference though between the aggressive and the hyper aggressive player.

The hyper aggressive player is actually the easiest to beat. If you have watched poker on television you will often hear the pros speak of "well-timed" aggression. Many players haven't figured out the "well-timed" part. They believe that the more force they push with the better.

Poker is a game of odds. That being said no one has the best hand every time the cards are dealt. If you are at a table with a hyper aggressive player they will raise every hand to try to push you out. Patience is the key. Wait. Just wait. When you get the nuts, don't push. Hyper aggressive players like to do the pushing. If you push them they often run away. Whether playing online or at a table you need to pause. Let them think you are struggling with the call. Then just call. They will push harder in the next round of betting to try to get you off the hand. With each round of betting make it look like you are really struggling even harder with the call. They will hand you their chips.

What about the aggressive player?

They aren't so easy to beat. Especially if they are using "well timed" aggression. This is a skilled player. Study when they bet and the patterns of their betting. The best way to beat a player with "well-timed" aggression is to be a player who uses your own "well-timed" aggression. Even when you push, don't push too hard when you have the nuts. The idea is to keep others in the pot and milk them of their chips. If you push too hard they will simply fold.

Push when the odds are in your favor. Count your outs. If you have a dozen outs push. If you have three, don't be foolish. The other players are looking for the foolish bettor in order to gain chips.

It doesn't matter who you are, everyone makes mistakes at the table. Watch for them. Even a skilled player can be tripped up.

The copyright of the article How to Beat Hyper Aggressive Poker Players in Card/Board/Lawn Games is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish How to Beat Hyper Aggressive Poker Players in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.