How to Profile your Opponents in Varying Dynamics of the Game

How do you profile your opponents in poker? I have a systematic approach based on varying dynamics which I will list below. The key is learning how to use these profiles to adapt your strategies to maximizing value. 

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THIER FUNDAMENTAL APPROACH 

Cash game or Card Player – A player whose main considerations are money and cards

Creative or Tournament Player – A player who values leveraging psychological advantages of a situation

BASED ON SKILL LEVEL 

Novice – someone just learning the game. e.g. rules, handling the tools, etc. 

Tourist – someone who enjoys the game but doesn’t play competitive or seriously 

Amateur – a regular player still trying to learn how to win and is actively studying winning techniques and strategies to improve.

Grinder – A winning cash game player.

Pro – A winning player no matter what game their playing.

*The less experience and the more mistakes a player makes, the lower the gradient.

BASED ON PLAYING FREQUENCY (based on a full 10 handed table)

a.  <5%   = Rock

b.   5-10% = Tight

c.  10-20% = Balanced

d.  20-30% = Loose

e.  >30% = Maniac

BASED ON PERSONALITY / STRATEGY APPROACH

Driver or Dominant – Approach is to fight for and take the lead by betting and raising the majority of the hands they play.

Amiable or Passive – Goes with the flow. Approach is laid back and gives up the lead easily and defaults into checking and calling frequently.

Creative or Pass/Agg – Approach is often deceptive. e.g. Check-raising and semi-bluffing, oftentimes misrepresenting their hand strength.

Analytical or Solid – Plays the numbers game. Frequently plays straight-forward with high percentage plays that are logical and reasonable. 

BLUFFER – A player who tends to misrepresent the value of their hands frequently

CALLING STATION – A player who needs to see his opponent’s hands or chases draws with improper odds

EDGE PLAYER – A player looking for an advantage they can exploit 

TRADITIONAL PLAYING CLASSIFICATIONS

LAG – A player who plays a lot of hands and plays them aggressively. (e.g. betting-raising)

TAG – A player who plays few hands and plays them aggressively. 

LPA – A player who plays a lot of hands and plays them passively. (e.g. checking-calling)

TPA – A player who plays few hands and plays them passively