Tight Poker

[goopxx]

I started playing poker a few months ago, micro stakes limit online. I've memorized all the starting hand charts, and keep one by the computer. I'm definitely a tight player, but I am working on becoming more aggressive.

I do bet and raise on the flop and after, but I tend not to raise AQ, AJ, KJ, pairs JJ and below ( I play 6 handed games ). I do raise AA, KK, QQ, AK aggressively. I find that JJ and below don't seem to win / hit the flop/ dodge overcards enough to raise, also playing at the micro limits, everyone calls anyway, equaling tons of bad beats. I had AA busted with a 6 3 os the other day even though the bet was capped pre flop.

Some things I've read say you need to raise these hands in the proper position and such to maximize profit since you have a higher expectation.

But elswhere, I have read and heard that it's not a bad strategy and conceals the strength of your hands.

I feel more comfortable not raising anything other than top pairs and AK, unless against 2 players.

Is this strategy ok or do I need to get a little braver? I see people commonly raising with any ace-rag, k10, q10, etc..not that I think that is a smart strategy at all, but I wonder if I am a little too timid.

[ihatejacks]

When playing limit, position is nearly as important as the cards that you have. While it is almost always a bad idea to play 67s if you are UTG, it can be a very profitable hand to play from the button.

Since you are playing 6 max, you definitely want to be raising with really good starting hands when you have good position. This includes hands such as suited aces, pocket pairs such as 88-JJ, and even AQ and AJ. If you are in early position it is not worth raising with those hands most of the time, unless you are on a very tight table and will get folds most of the time.

Do some more reading on position and how to adapt your calling/raising ranges in different positions. I would also recommend getting a tracking program such as PokerTracker or Holdem Manager and use those tools to analyze your game and figure out in which positions and with which hands you are losing money, and plug those leaks in your game.