At the poker table, aggression is good. Aggression gives you more ways to win a hand and will give you free
cards. If you only call, you must have the best hand at the end to win and you'll be forced to call every raise. By
raising, you could just win the hand right there and then, but also you will put some fear in your opponents
hearts and they may start checking to you, giving you free cards. As the great Annie Duke said in USA
Weekend, March 21, 2004, "Be aggressive. Be a raiser, not a caller. Anytime you raise, you give a person the
opportunity to fold, which can win the hand right there. By raising, you narrow the field, so you're more likely to
win. It gives you a powerful table image. You're giving your opponent the chance to make a bad decision."
cards. If you only call, you must have the best hand at the end to win and you'll be forced to call every raise. By
raising, you could just win the hand right there and then, but also you will put some fear in your opponents
hearts and they may start checking to you, giving you free cards. As the great Annie Duke said in USA
Weekend, March 21, 2004, "Be aggressive. Be a raiser, not a caller. Anytime you raise, you give a person the
opportunity to fold, which can win the hand right there. By raising, you narrow the field, so you're more likely to
win. It gives you a powerful table image. You're giving your opponent the chance to make a bad decision."
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Why aggression is good in No Limit Texas Holdem
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Why aggression is good?
How much aggression is good in No Limit Texas Holdem?
Your personal style and comfort level will determine your best aggression level, but never forget, even the great
cautious players play VERY aggressively at times. The poker giant 'Action' Dan Harrington is easily classified
as a cautious player, but if you ever get a chance to observe him, when he smells weakness, he has no
problem pushing all of his chips into the pot at any time. Doyle Bronson helped define aggression, but even he
is thrown by the play of Gus Hanson. Gus redefined aggression completely. Playing position always meant
that if you went later in a hand you had better position, but along came Gus and he started to attack from the
front position, betting out routinely from early position. He has crushed poker greats and won the several world
class tournaments by his ultra-aggressive style. I don't recommend Gus' style, but don't overlook the lesson,
aggression is good.
cautious players play VERY aggressively at times. The poker giant 'Action' Dan Harrington is easily classified
as a cautious player, but if you ever get a chance to observe him, when he smells weakness, he has no
problem pushing all of his chips into the pot at any time. Doyle Bronson helped define aggression, but even he
is thrown by the play of Gus Hanson. Gus redefined aggression completely. Playing position always meant
that if you went later in a hand you had better position, but along came Gus and he started to attack from the
front position, betting out routinely from early position. He has crushed poker greats and won the several world
class tournaments by his ultra-aggressive style. I don't recommend Gus' style, but don't overlook the lesson,
aggression is good.