You may enjoy more success by developing a tight table image (particularly in tournaments, where people can’t wait forever for perfect hands; you need to bluff skillfully), because when you bluff, other players are more likely to fold. And by tight, it means that you should want your opponents to think you squeak when in fact you just get up for a can of soda.
You can improve this image in the online poker world by using the advance action buttons.
Ultimately, you establish a tight table image with playing style that show you to be an absolutely conservative player, only playing aggressive with strong hands and willing to fold immediately when the odds are not particularly in your favor. The more conspicuous the actions, the better. (Certainly, you’re just displaying your table image; after you properly establish it, not all your subsequent poker games should precisely conform to this facade, or else you will become easily predictable.)
Tight playing style example
You are playing fixed limit Hold ’Em from a big blind. Your opponents allow you to see the flop without a raise. Half of the players are in the hand (including the small blind). You have 3c 6d.
Then the flop comes over 10s Jh 6s.
The small blind checks and you instinctively fold. Yes, you can certainly check for free here, but the winning probability of your hand is very low. You need to pair the hold cards (and let’s hope your opponents do not hold a larger pair) or maybe double-draw the straight, which perhaps will not happen.
Folding will buy you much more in the eyes of other players, because the sharp-eyed person take notice and become much more prepared the next time you bet or check from the same position. By folding immediately, you make your next hands in this position seem stronger in the future. And if the next time you get a weak hand and flop in the same position, you can raise or bet and possibly even take the pot right there.
Tags: How to Develop a Tight Table Image?, online poker, poker