In the previous issue of this series, we discussed how to maximize our EV on small and middle pocket pairs in loose passive games. Now, let’s take a look at how these hands play in other types of games.
Tight-Passive (Weak-Tight) Games
These games feature players who understand that they need to play tight in order to profit, but they don't have much bite to their game. The players in these games often do a lot of "set-mining" and are thus very easy to read. They will very often limp into a pot, call a standard raise, and then check-fold the flop if they don't spike their set. Obviously, since these players are so predictable it is easy to take advantage of them. Remember, we make money in poker when players make mistakes. Look for the mistakes your opponents make and then do whatever you can to make that mistake occur more often and for it to be more costly. The biggest mistake weak-tight players make is that they fold too often - even when they are in position. They will very rarely put you in a difficult spot or punish you for getting out of line when you are out of position. In my experience, you can often find these types of games a couple levels up from the smallest stakes offered at a given location.1
1 For example, you currently might start finding these players in the $.25/.50 and $.50/1 online games.