Transitioning from TAG to LAG play in Tournaments
*Title
*Author
*Date
Image
*Category
*Source
Published? Yes No
*Text
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
By Shane Stacey
PartTime Poker
Lagtard \ n. -ED, -ING, -S A poker player who calls and raises a large variety of hands with the intention of outplaying or outdrawing an opponent's (usually) stronger hand
Since I couldn't find an official definition, I created one. Look out Merriam-Webster.
The more I play, the more it is reinforced that not one true style dominates. It is the ability to effectively change speeds and keep the opponents guessing that is the key to playing better poker. Having spent a few years as a more traditional TAG player, and having had a reasonable amount of success, it is in the past 6 months that my overall game has improved with the addition of some key LAG elements. While I do advocate that beginning poker players pursue a more ABC, TAG style when starting, once you have become more adept at the game and have developed keener decision-making abilities post-flop, it is time to add some LAG elements to your game.
Phil Gordon has an interesting approach to pre-flop play. If he is the first into a pot, he's raising. While this is a bit too LAG for my tastes, it gives him an advantage when the opponents decide whether to fold, raise or call. Is he playing suited connectors, a low PP, a high PP, or just an average random hand? Then, depending on his position post-flop, the aggressiveness of his opponents, and the texture of the flop, he may be able to take advantage of his hand, one which opponents are unable to put him on. After all, he could be raising any two.
Making the Transition
The basis for my personal game-change came after having fully implemented zone play as related to m-values as described in depth by Harrington and Robertie in the "Harrington on Hold'em" series. I found that I was too passive in the Green Zone (M > 20) and was missing opportunities to compete for substantial pots. When you have this many chips compared to the blinds/antes, you have the ability to take more flops and more chances, thus allowing you to chip up, even early on.
Several players I know have expressed an interest in loosing up their game and have looked for key ways in which to do so. Honestly, while you can add LAG elements overnight to an existing TAG game, it takes awhile to become comfortable in playing with these new additions. Let me suggest a couple key areas to explore.
The suited connectors (and one or two-gapers): "Late and cheap" used to always be my motto for these hands. In the hijack, cutoff, button or SB, I would see these hands without question, given a couple limpers to make them profitable. Now, if I have chips to play with, I like to push action more than just passively be one of the crowd. As a first step, experiment with raising your 76s UTG, or calling a J9s for a small raise when you have the button. While I don't want to unnecessarily spew chips, if I have a few extra to burn, I might as well see if I can get them to multiply.
Knowing how to release these hands (or represent them) if you only end up hitting a pair or less on the flop (with few additional outs) is the key to being successful with the LAG style. So, experiment and also feel free to put the unsuited garden variety connectors and gapers into the arsenal. After all, "sooted" only adds about 2% to a hand's base worth.
Pairs (any of them): I go set mining a lot more than I used to, especially early. If the opponent flops TPTK (or has an overpair to the board) and you flop your set, chances are you'll be paid handsomely. We know that the chance of flopping a set is about 1 in 8.5. So, if the pot is laying 7.5 – 1, you are making an odds call with any small pp. Implied odds in NL hold'em can be phenomenal, though, especially early on.
I will limp the small pps early and may raise them, depending on my table and my image. I am also more prone to call a preflop raise with them, especially if I have position on the raiser. If I call an EP raiser in MP, it is more likely that calls behind will occur, thus building the odds I need to mine for the set. While it is doubtful I'll hit the set, only completing just under 12% of the time, I can win the pot in other ways. This is one of the reasons I recommend a good deal of experience with the game before adding the elements … my small pps win as often postflop when the raiser has missed the flop as they do when I actually hit my set.
In the next section we'll look at some post-flop tactics for lagging it up. I highly recommend you check the strategy article on parttimepoker.com regarding the float. While this is more geared toward cash play, it also applies nicely to MTTs.
Part 2 – After the Flop
So, you've made the transition to playing a wider variety of hands found outside of the top 20 ranked starting hands or hands you see cheaply in a blind. Realize that the majority of flops miss the majority of players – this is the simple truth about the mathematics of poker. If you were set-mining, you'll be hitting your pocket pair about 1 in 9 times and if it's a small or mid pp, the chances are there will be overs on the flop.
Just some basic percentages for the range of hands you'll be playing:
What you will flop
* Pairing at least 1 hole card - 32%
* Straight draw with connectors - 26%
* A pair on the board - 16%
* Four-flush when suited - 11%
* Making a set with pocket pair - 11%
* Straight flush draw with suited connectors - 3.4%
* Pairing both hole cards - 2%
* Four-flush when not suited - 2%
* Trips with no pocket pair - 1.3%
* Flush with 2 suited cards - 1%
* Making a full house with poket pair - 1%
http://www.rivered.co.uk/poker_percentages.html (giving credit where it's due)
The one that strikes me most is the first line – "pairing at least 1 hole card – 32%". This goes back to the opening line regarding the majority of flops missing the majority of players, and this includes you. If you were donking around with your suited connectors, notice that you'll have a straight draw about 1 in 30 times, the flush draw 1 in 9 times, and will flop the flush 1 in 100 times. It all sounds rather bleak, or does it?
The percentages that apply to you also apply to your opponents. They're unlikely (on an individual level) to have flopped a set, or a decent draw. Each one is going to pair one or more hole cards only 32% of the time. This works to the LAG player's advantage.
Playing as the Aggressor
You raised preflop from late mid-position and the flop comes A74, rainbow. Let's pretend we have no clue what your cards are. The BB who had come along for the ride checks to you, the pre-flop raiser. You have one player left to act after you, the player on the button. You toss out a standard continuation bet, around half the pot and the button folds and the BB elects to call. The turn brings a J and the button checks … this time you decide to check behind. The river brings a 3 and no flush is possible. The BB leads at the pot, about 75% of pot-size, and you tank, then raise. He calls and proceeds to muck his AJo when you turn over your 65s for the nuts.
Now, replay this same hand with you holding AA, playing all streets the same. Obviously while you don't make the
Absolute nuts on the river, the 2nd nuts is likely good. This is a prime advantage with LAG play, the inability of an opponent to put you on a specific hand or hands. Sure – they may be able to narrow the range but the possibility for your hand selections always keeps them guessing.
The case that I presented gave the preflop raiser a good draw and any donkey could continue with that, given proper odds (both pot and implied) are in play. However, say the LAG player misses the flop. Take the above example and substitute JTo as the hand you raised preflop. The normal betting proceeds on the flop (a standard continuation following a preflop raise). This time both the button and BB call the A74 board. A smart lag player is able to get away, either on the turn or on the river facing adversity. If the turn comes with the J this time, you may feel the need to continue, hoping that one of your 5 outs comes for improvement, or that you can bully the opponents into submission. A good LAG player is able to utilize position and opponent's tendencies to cause desired results – to acquire chips.
Playing as the Tag-along
UTG 1 opens for 3x the BB and you find yourself on the button with J9s. You have some chips to play with and the raiser is deep enough to make it well worth your while should the flop hit. You call and the blinds fold. The flop comes out a ragged T73, with one of your suit. As expected, the preflop raiser tosses out a standard CB and you ponder for a moment, then call - 4 clean outs for the nuts, a backdoor flush draw and one over (which may be good). The turn brings a 2, giving you a 4-flush to go with your gut-shot draw. The preflop raiser puts out a tentative bet, about 40% of the pot, and you raise to 2.5x his bet. He tanks for a moment, folds and then complains in chat that his AK is never good.
Let's change up the hand a moment, but keep the other conditions the same … same preflop raise, same position and you hand selection is 87s on the button. The ragged flop of T73 this time gives you middle pair and the preflop raiser again leads. You elect to raise to 2.5x his bet and he just calls. The turn comes off with an 8 (leaving a rainbow board) and the raiser leads again, obviously thinking he's good. You decide that your 2 pair is good and put him in … he reluctantly calls his JJ and the river blanks. He curses you for being a lucky moron and spews chips for the next orbit as a result of tilt.
I'm sure Doyle Brunson has been called lucky more times than I can count in his years of playing. The LAG player creates opportunities for themselves by taking risks a TAG player will not. If in the above example the preflop raiser played back and 3-bet on the flop, a good LAG will easily make the appropriate laydown with the 87s, realizing that middle pair is no good.
As with any style or tactic in poker, experiment until it feels right. And try to concentrate more of the "lag" and less on the "tard".
( 0 )
# of ratings: 0
Rate this Article:
Similar Articles
Lessons Learned from WSOPUsing the Reraise Bluff in No Limit Hold'emBuilding a Roll Through Six-handed Turbo No Limit sit and go tournamentsMastering the FreerollPlaying the Big Fields
Other PartTime Poker ArticlesOther PartTime Poker Articles
Session Stages and Player IdentitiesWinning at Heads-Up, No-Limit Poker: Basic Strategies Part 1 of 3Value Betting in No Limit Texas HoldemTips for Pulling an Online Poker All NighterAn Example of a Position Play in No Limit Holdem
[Home] Home
[Profile] My Profile
[My PS Points] My PS Points
[My Referrals] My Referrals
[Message] My Messages
[Requests] My Requests
[PS Points Store] PS Points Store
[Support] Support
Special Mansion 1d 19h 35m
Buy-in Walker 2h 35m
Freeroll Cellsino 4h 35m
See More
ad2
