You’re deep into a local tournament with a mix of recreational players. After playing tight early on, you’ve started opening up your game and picking up extra pots. However, when a tight player raises you, you fold. Then, it happens again, and again. Frustration starts to build as it feels like they’re targeting you. But before you start reacting, remember this:
It’s Not About You
In most cases, you’re probably not being specifically targeted. As poker coach Alex Fitzgerald points out, recreational players tend to make the same mistakes over and over. They’re not as observant as you think, and they’re not studying you closely enough to make adjustments. The situation you’re facing is likely just a result of them picking up premium hands and acting on them.
Stay on Target
Instead of assuming these players have turned into aggressive maniacs, don’t adjust prematurely. Most recreational players won’t change their strategy, even if they’ve three-bet you a few times. If their play becomes aggressive and consistent, that’s when you can start adjusting your strategy. Until then, don’t overreact.
Don’t Outthink Yourself
Much like a football team that has a solid rushing game but inexplicably starts passing, you shouldn’t deviate from what works. In poker, balancing your play is important against skilled opponents, but against recreational players, sticking to your strategy and exploiting their mistakes is key.
Keeping the Pressure On
If something works—like constant c-betting against a tight player—keep doing it. Players often won’t realize what you’re doing, and even if they do, they may not know how to fight back. Stick to what’s working until they show they can counter it.
Tournament Bubble Play
This advice becomes even more important during the tournament bubble. If the table becomes tight near the money, don’t slow down—take advantage of the tightness and continue applying pressure.
Stick to What’s Working
Avoid giving recreational players more credit than they deserve. Too often, players assume that their opponents are adjusting in ways they’re not. If your play is working, stick with it. Make them prove they can stop you. Don’t make the game harder than it needs to be—keep taking their chips until they can do something about it.
Key Takeaways:
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Don’t adjust to your opponents until you see they’ve adjusted to you.
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Recreational players make the same mistakes repeatedly—don’t assume they’ve become experts.
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Stick to your strategy and keep applying pressure, especially during the tournament bubble.
