LAG vs TAG – Which playing style is best for 6 max?
Poker strategy article from Poker Rakeback Online about playing styles in a 6 players max poker game.
6-max NLHE is a more aggressive form of poker, and hence attracts more aggressive players. Unlike full ring NLHE cash games where you are more likely to play ABC poker, only playing premium hands, and generally seeing fewer 3/4 bets, in 6-max games you will have to open up your game and play a wider variety of holdings.
What level of aggression and what playing style you should adopt is very much table dependant. Every 6-max table is different, with varying stack sizes and playing styles and your position on these players will all have an effect on how you are going to play.
There is no optimal playing style for beating NL 6-max cash games. Every situation in poker will have an optimal decision and making that decision will influence your vpip and pfr. If you are unfamiliar with what these stats mean, basically it tells you what percentage of hands they play and what percentage of those hands they open raised with pre flop. Instead of the focus being on playing to achieve certain numbers, you should be looking to adapt to the table conditions and exploit the weaknesses of other players.
You can beat 6-max games playing both a LAG and TAG style of game, so lets take a look at these playing styles in more detail so you can figure out what playing style is best for you.
LAG refers to loose aggressive players. They are ultra aggressive players which open raise with a wide range of hands and are more likely to raise draws, medium strength hands or as bluffs or semi-bluffs on the flop or turn to keep the pressure on their opponents. They are definitely not scared of getting stacks in the middle and try and use fold equity against you. Don’t confuse this with LP (loose passive players) which play a high percentage of hands, but play them more passively, preferring to limp instead of raise.
LAG stats is in the range 25/22 – 32/24. Most players don’t know how to play a LAG style of game well, but a good LAG can definitely have a very good win rate because aggressive players get paid off with their big hands. The good LAGs are very good at hand reading and will bet when they sense weakness.
TAG refers to tight aggressive players and is generally the recommended playing style for new players. TAG players are playing fewer hands due to narrower starting hand requirements, which will mean you will get yourself involved in less marginal spots and tough decisions. You would be best learning to play a TAG style of game first before playing LAG. TAG stats is in the range 19/12 – 22/15 ish type stats with varying frequencies of vpip and pfr for each player.
Although you should never play poker to emulate a specific playing style, you should be able to identify the different playing styles of the players at a table fairly quickly. If you are playing unknowns it will just mean you have to play a few hands and evaluate their play. If you have history with certain players then you should already know how they play and you should try and get position on the LAG players. You never want LAGs in the blinds because it will prevent you from stealing the blinds in late position and the button because they will always re-raise you. Are you getting Poker Rakeback? Sign up for an account today and get up to %40 in rakeback and take part in our monthly promotions with more than $400.000 in prizes. Sign Up Here