Changing gears

I've heard mention from time to time of the importance of varying your play so as not to become predictable. I've been working on playing a solid TAG game and been pretty succesful with it, but occasionally this thought will percolate its way up to the forefront of my brain and demand attention. How does one accomplish this

Is the answer to randomly go into hyper aggressive mode after, say, an hour of tight ring play and then tuck back into TAG mode? (I've actually done this with some success). Do you vary your play more often? For how long? Show cards?

The question is for ring primarily - I realize that in MTTs you often are not at a table long enough for it to matter, but sometimes you are.

Would appreciate y'all's input. Please enlighten.

What stakes do you play? Unless it is pretty high the correct answer is probably to just be more patient and not mix up your play.

If you feel you need to then look for specific situations where your plays might come off. Dont just raise 2 cards because you set your timer for 1 hour and your alarm just went off. Instead find a suited connector in late position against a guy who folds too many marginal hands but marries good preflop hands etc etc etc.

This is something I'm thinking about alot recently as I prepare for the transition to 200NL. From what I've gathered so far, its all about "splashing around" is small pots all the time trying to create a loose, maniacal image while losing yourself the least ammount of $$ possible. Breakeven plays etc.

One thing I have noticed is that pushing against short stacks can help this image.

And I will say one thing, make sure you axtually have a need to mix it up before you start. Lots of players get chaugt up in the idea of LAGG and playing it in the wrong situations. This costy $$!

Playing 25NL ring, so yeah I spose it doesn't matter too much. I doubt that many there are paying enough attention.

almost certainly not....unless you find yourself against a bunch of bonus hunting nutcamping rocks

Originally Posted by Irisheyes

This is something I'm thinking about alot recently as I prepare for the transition to 200NL. From what I've gathered so far, its all about "splashing around" is small pots all the time trying to create a loose, maniacal image while losing yourself the least ammount of $$ possible. Breakeven plays etc.

One thing I have noticed is that pushing against short stacks can help this image.

You're on to exactly the right idea.

Originally Posted by Pelion

almost certainly not....unless you find yourself against a bunch of bonus hunting nutcamping rocks

Switching gears is usually used for giving you a better table image (because all your made hands aren't getting folded to) and for loosening up the table as a whole. You need to do this with rocks. If you're playing full ring, I would suggest you start raising any two on the button and CO for a few orbits and possibly showing your crap if you buy the pot. Don't be afraid to lose 2-15BB when raising pf and cont betting. You're doing this so you win 100BB with a new table image that gets you paid off.

If you're at a loose table you would probably be better suited to be patient.