Changing Gears Pregame- Can you profit off of a reputation?

Hey All-

I'm a regular at a rotating home game that is played about every two weeks- it's a good time, but a lot of guys there (including myself) are competitive poker players and are there to win. So once again I'm coming to you guys at FTR to help me do it.

Throughout our regular games, I've been working on what I've perceived as the best approach to Hold'em- a tight aggressive style. It's been workin' fantastic- our games are so loose I've got weak players calling my overbet trips and straights on every street. However, I can't seem to beat (nor can anyone else beat) a couple of skilled loose mega-aggressive players at the game. One of the two always takes down the most money at the end.

Recently, these 6-9 handed games have turned into me battling one LAG in a contest of reading each other's moves and generally altogether skilled poker (the rest of the players are pretty easy for us to read, I believe). I wonder if changing gears and bluffing into him more often or loosening up against him would be successful? He usually puts me on good cards...

As long as they notice image (referring probably to the few good players) changing gears against them is a great idea. Take down a few more pots, create a looser image, and then switch to taggy and nail them when they think they've caught you bluffing again. I think changing gears is a good choice. Being able to do it correctly and without getting burned when lagging it up is easier said then done.

Changing gears in the sense you are describing [Playing LAGG instead of TAGG] is something that can work well when done correctly, how much of a tagg reputation do you have? I would rather advocate simply adjusting how you play based on the situation isntead of changing your whole "game plan." Change how you play when they have already folded, already limped, raised, or are still to act. Think about your cards and how you could play tem to maximize against your opponents. Adjusting to a specific situation in a game is a good idea, changing gears entirely is effective when used properly and against the right players.

Can people profit off their reputation? Yes, just look at H@LL and Prahlad.

What I like to do against smart mega lags is to play very tight passive for enough hands till he knows im being tight passive, he has no choice but to give away the strength of his hand.

What I like to do against smart mega lags is to play very tight passive for enough hands till he knows im being tight passive, he has no choice but to give away the strength of his hand.

Originally Posted by IowaSkinsFan

What I like to do against smart mega lags is to play very tight passive for enough hands till he knows im being tight passive, he has no choice but to give away the strength of his hand.

Yup.