Styles of play
Poker is a game of nuances and, in order to play well, participants need to be flexible and understand that one style of play definitely does not fit all. While going in all guns blazing may be the right approach for certain hands, there will equally be rounds where the best tactic is to take a looser and more relaxed stance. The best poker players can instinctively read and realise what style of play is called for at any stage of the game and under any circumstances.
While every good poker player will need to develop their own understanding of what style of play is called for and when, there are certain circumstances that will traditionally dictate the way in which approach should differ.
For example, in the early stages of any game, table position will have an effect on the style that a player adopts. Those in an early table position are at a certain disadvantage and are best advised to adopt a tighter and more aggressive stance, thus presenting them with the higher chance of being able to scare off opponents and steal the pot. For those in later positions, however, it remains possible in the early stages of play to keep the approach loose and be more relaxed about bets and calls. Being one of the last to make a call on a hand puts the player in a position of power that can balance any wrong calls made in a looser game.
In tournament play, the stage of the event will often dictate the necessary playing style with a widely acknowledged need for a more aggressive stand at key points in play. While the mid stages of any tournament may see players backing off a little, those that reach the bubble and go on to the heads up will have to harden their game. The increased pressure of the desire to win but also because when the blinds get big, loose play bleeds chips that can result in even good players finding themselves short stacked after sensible calls.
The final aspect that poker players should consider when deciding which playing style to adopt is the way in which they come across to their opponents. While poker personalities may make a mark with their dominant or more passive signature playing styles, the best players are those who can read a room and adopt the approach that will yield the best results.