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Shady9977 Nibs: 514 Member Since: Feb 6th 2008

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    I prefer to classify “ego players” separate from other types… because they just seem to be a breed of their own. An ego player might be a Rock OR a Manic… but his vain approach to the game is the key weakness that you can use to your advantage.

Characteristics of the Ego Player

   Arrogant Andy is the guy who likes to win pots. Of course… EVERYONE likes to win pots. But Andy is more extreme about it… he’s willing to WASTE money in his effort. For example, he’ll chase just about any draw… in hopes of winning that “monster” pot. When Andy loses a hand, he blames bad beats, bad luck, or say something like, “Ha… I knew it all along.”

Spotting an Ego Player

  It can be difficult to spot Arrogant Andy until he shows his face. In live games it’s easier… online it’s harder. Andy’s the guy that shows up when things get emotional. For instance, if someone catches a bad beat then comes out firing on the next hand, there’s a good chance it’s Andy. He’s not being logical…he’s on tilt. Another way to spot Andy online is in the chat feature. After he loses a big hand he’ll say stuff like: >>> Hmm… nice move playing that 5-7 with a pre-flop raise. This your first time playing poker? Or >>> WTF are you thinking playing those rags?! *!

Beating the Ego Player

  You’ll begin to love players like Andy… because once you know how to beat them it’s EASY. The key is to get them while they’re playing on EMOTION… whether it’s anger, boredom, shock… whatever. (These can all be classified as “tilt”.) Your strategy is to basically let them have some room to HANG THEMSELVES… but not so much rope that they can STRANGLE YOU. You’ll achieve this by making a sequence of solid bets to pot-commit Andy to a pot. This is NOT slow-playing. It’s DRAWING THEM IN… taking advantage of the fact that they’re not thinking straight. Let me show you what I mean…
You check the big blind in a No Limit game with semi-connectors. You see the flop free.
Your cards:6-4 suitted

The flop: K 2 5

   Nice. You’ve just flopped a flush… with a chance at hitting a STRAIGHT FLUSH if you get that three of diamonds. Arrogant Andy leads with a bet. Instead of smooth calling (that’s what you’d do against a Maniac), you raise. Not a BIG raise… maybe even just the minimum. He calls.
The turn hits: 9

   Andy bets again. You make a small raise again… and he calls again.
Now the river:J

   Andy bets AGAIN. (He’s got top pair.) Now… instead of just making a small raise… you go ALL-IN. You figure he doesn’t have

the flush and you’ve got him completely pot-committed. Andy thinks about it for awhile… he “knows” you have the flush… but then again you might just be buying the pot after a busted draw. He’s got top pair with a good kicker… there’s no way he’ll catch another “bad beat” again, right? So pot-committed Arrogant Andy calls… and you double up. This is how you beat Andy. Don’t force TOO much action against him, otherwise he’ll run. Try to reel him in slowly and get him pot-committed.

insane

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