KJ

POKER TAWK! Handling Loose-Aggressive Players

May 15, 2013

Blake Ian
Stage· 221 messages
May 15, 2013
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:00 AM

KJ!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:00 AM

I always loved this picture of you because it's "KJ Suited!" :P
KJ

Kenna James · 2:00 AM

Hey all! Good evening from the city of lights, Las Vegas, Nevada!!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:01 AM

Lol! Too funny man, thanks!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:01 AM

That's a presidential pin I'm wearing btw
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:01 AM

Quick note as usual to new users joining us... Click WHO's HERE, to see others joining us and LISTEN to see their comments...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:02 AM

apropos after just listening to that political discussion on Tawkers - great stuff
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:02 AM

be sure to vote up the ones you like because Kenna and I will only see the OVERHEARD comments
KJ

Kenna James · 2:02 AM

How do they vote Blake?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:02 AM

yeah that was an awesome Tawk between Jordan Birnbaum and Scott Stenholm from Real Time with Bill Mahr!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:03 AM

hey hit the three little dots at the bottom right of a comment and THUMBS up (or down) respectively...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:03 AM

So let's TAWK Poker shall we??
KJ

Kenna James · 2:04 AM

Cool! The thing I love about poker is that it is so synonymous with life.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:05 AM

I learned a new term in our first Tawk... LAG, which means "Loose Aggressive Player" and that's who we are Tawking about tonight right?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:05 AM

Tonight we're talking about handling aggressive players in the game....but no matter what your game is….poker, business, politics or even in the game of life….dealing with aggressive people in the game can be quite a challenge for some people in the
KJ

Kenna James · 2:05 AM

Yes
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:05 AM

Cool, so can you give quick explanation of a LAG for us
KJ

Kenna James · 2:06 AM

sure.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:06 AM

It's abbreviated for Loose-Aggressive
KJ

Kenna James · 2:06 AM

Loose refers to the number of hands someone plays - meaning a lot
KJ

Kenna James · 2:06 AM

Aggressive goes to the style of HOW they play their hand
KJ

Kenna James · 2:07 AM

put them together and you got a nightmare!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:07 AM

Hahaha
KJ

Kenna James · 2:07 AM

for some players anyway
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:07 AM

Ok so that leads me to my first quesiton
KJ

Kenna James · 2:07 AM

Once you know how to handle them though, there isn't a problem
KJ

Kenna James · 2:07 AM

shoot
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:07 AM

Can you stop answering my questions before I ask them please...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:08 AM

LOL - sry, it's a spiritual nature of me I guess...I pick them out of the thought cloud. lol
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:08 AM

SO... my first question is, I know a lot of players consider the LAG to be a very tough opponent, why do you think that is?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:09 AM

(good evening to the Poker ladies joining us tonight)
KJ

Kenna James · 2:09 AM

That's a good question actually...I don't consider them tough, but I know many players do...perhaps we should ask the forum
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:10 AM

Sure... I see Kelly Scott and Lea are here and both play a lot of poker... Do you find the LAG to be a tough opponent?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:10 AM

What they find tough about playing against loose-aggressive players...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:11 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lea Wolfe

I'm good with them...I feel like I still need a hand against them and will surrender a lot of my blinds but then I usually get paid off eventually

KJ

Kenna James · 2:11 AM

That's great Lea....so maybe it's not as challenging as we thought Blake! lol.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:12 AM

Well you didn't ask me what I thought... so what's this "we" business?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:12 AM

I know for some players they get confused not knowing where they are at in the hand....
KJ

Kenna James · 2:12 AM

good point...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:12 AM

Let me ask you then....
KJ

Kenna James · 2:13 AM

what's the toughest part for you playing against LAG players?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

And I have a sunconscious aversion to being bullied

KJ

Kenna James · 2:13 AM

Doesn't sound like it's subconscious anymore Jordan! lol.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:14 AM

I actually feel I that I've have made some big strides in playing against a LAG... and I can point to some specific advice you've given to me that helped
KJ

Kenna James · 2:14 AM

I'd rather you answer the question...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:15 AM

lol
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:16 AM

Well in response the question of whether or not I find LAGS to be very tough opponents, is no I do not anymore
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:16 AM

I find other types to be much tougher than LAGS
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:16 AM

So again, what I can say on the subject is what changed that helped
KJ

Kenna James · 2:16 AM

Okay, let me ask Jordan...what frustrates you about LAG players?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:17 AM

If it makes you happier I can say what I DID find the most frustrating
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:18 AM

which would be similar to Jordan's thoughts... I would let them throw me off my game by taking it personal
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:18 AM

and wanting to beat them more than any other player at the table
KJ

Kenna James · 2:18 AM

Do you find them threatening? Don't like being forced to decisions for a lot of chips? Don't have a strong enough hand to defend, etc?..
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:18 AM

which always proved a bad strategy
KJ

Kenna James · 2:18 AM

Ah...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:19 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

I feel as though they force me off my game and turn me into tight aggressive as my only choice - otherwise I take unnecessary risk

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:19 AM

Exactly. :)
KJ

Kenna James · 2:19 AM

Gotcha...there we go.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:19 AM

That's important!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:20 AM

So they get you off your game and get you playing theirs....
KJ

Kenna James · 2:20 AM

I understand.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lea Wolfe

...probably male ego....just sayin :)

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:21 AM

Ahhh good question from Lea
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:21 AM

Does the female have less of a tough time from the LAG??
KJ

Kenna James · 2:21 AM

Staying disciplined is very important.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:21 AM

True Lea. Good point.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:21 AM

Vanessa Selbst certainly didn't in her WPT final table!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:22 AM

She blew up and let a much worse player beat her
KJ

Kenna James · 2:22 AM

Really? Well, see there is the fault line of the aggressive player style
KJ

Kenna James · 2:23 AM

They tend to become "overly aggressive" - which means they use more aggression then is necessary
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:23 AM

so bad judgment...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:24 AM

They become a victim of their own solution
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:24 AM

KJ do you think some LAGs are intentionally trying to throw others off their better judgmenet>
KJ

Kenna James · 2:24 AM

they believe that aggressive style is what wins
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:24 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kelly Scott

I have felt that way a few times but I try to fight following thru so I don't like to let myself get pushed around.

KJ

Kenna James · 2:24 AM

Yes, to a certain degree Blake, but mostly it's just their approach to the game.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:24 AM

Got ya
KJ

Kenna James · 2:25 AM

An aggressive style wins against passive and fearful opponents and so they use it
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:26 AM

Do you feel that aggression is a winning style of poker?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:26 AM

and if so... is it the most winning style?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:26 AM

and it works until they run into a player who knows how to handle them and then they get disarmed like you aptly pointed out with Vanessa Selbst
KJ

Kenna James · 2:27 AM

good question. An aggressive style is a winning style against certain type of opponents.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:27 AM

Actually, what I was saying about Vanessa is that she went up against a LAG and got thrown off her game and lost to a lesser player.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:28 AM

I wouldn't say it is the MOST winning style, but it is the one that is most often used by players moving up in the game their playing
KJ

Kenna James · 2:28 AM

Oh, she wasn't being the aggressor?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:28 AM

that's strange for her...lol.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:28 AM

No she was up against a relatively inexperienced player heads up at the WPT final table
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:28 AM

she should have had it in the bag
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:28 AM

but her ego came through the screen!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:28 AM

haha
KJ

Kenna James · 2:29 AM

That's a good topic for a future tawk! Managing the Ego!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:29 AM

she wanted so badly to show who she was on camera that she made very poor decisions and actually cried a few times during the match
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:29 AM

and let me say, I think she is a very good player...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:29 AM

but this was years ago
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:29 AM

and she clearly had some adjustments to make
KJ

Kenna James · 2:30 AM

Sounds like emotions got in the way of her decision making...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:30 AM

btw, when you take the game personally, that's what happens actually..you act emotionally rather then intellectually
KJ

Kenna James · 2:31 AM

Intellect beats Emotion everytime
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:31 AM

just soaking that all in
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:31 AM

haha
KJ

Kenna James · 2:32 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kelly Scott

I think we just need to stay flexible

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:32 AM

great stuff... and of course yet another example of the game as a microcosm to the BIG game of life
KJ

Kenna James · 2:32 AM

Good point Kelly!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:32 AM

Being able to "flex" out of your "comfort zone" is vital to handling the LAG player
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:33 AM

Can you give us some specific experiences you have had that helped you learn to play the LAG successfully?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:34 AM

Well...now that's a question...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:34 AM

I try
KJ

Kenna James · 2:34 AM

The best experience I can draw from is my own...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:34 AM

I use to be one...still am when the situation calls for it...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:35 AM

So, how I learned was paying attention to what and who beat me
KJ

Kenna James · 2:35 AM

And of course, what worked against who I perceived as being more aggressive then me...lol
KJ

Kenna James · 2:36 AM

someone like David "the dragon" Pham...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:36 AM

Can I be honest with you?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Kelly Scott

thank you Kenna

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:36 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pham
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:36 AM

I hope so!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:37 AM

You're welcome.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:37 AM

The thing that worked better then anything was showing them the best hand.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:37 AM

Remember, at the end of the day, the money goes to the best hand...not who plays the most aggressively
KJ

Kenna James · 2:38 AM

Knowing when you have the best hand and standing up for your self...that is important information to know
KJ

Kenna James · 2:38 AM

I coach players on that
KJ

Kenna James · 2:39 AM

It's easy to be aggressive when you walk in a room swinging a bat
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:39 AM

Wait I need you to clarify something...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:39 AM

But show the guy whose swinging a bat a gun and I promise you, he won't be as aggressive
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:40 AM

When you say the money goes to the player with the best hand... not the most aggressive player...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:40 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

If you are up against a Lag with a pair of 7's - you raise pre-flop and get re-raised - what do you do?

KJ

Kenna James · 2:40 AM

I'll take your question first Blake, then we'll go to Jordan's
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:40 AM

Im confused how that doesn't leave out the one who wins without showing his hand... usually as a result of aggression
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:41 AM

Why thanks... its as if Im your co-host or something!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:41 AM

hahah
KJ

Kenna James · 2:41 AM

Good, let me clear that up.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:41 AM

The guy doesn't win by not showing his hand...he wins when the other player folds.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:42 AM

Oftentimes the guy or gal :) folds because they can't stand up to the aggression
KJ

Kenna James · 2:43 AM

They get caught up taking it personally....or over valuing or under valuing their hand or the situation and suddenly their lost and don't know what to do...so they fold.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:44 AM

So let's take Jordan's question specifically, ok?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:44 AM

Sounds good
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:44 AM

you the boss
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:44 AM

and thank you that made sense!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:44 AM

Good. Yw. Great question btw Jordan. Let's look at it.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:46 AM

Considering....hmmm...let me ask you Jordan, what would you like to do w the 77's?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:47 AM

Maybe that won't work, carrying on a conversation with the forum...lol.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:47 AM

so I'll give my short answer...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:47 AM

Im starting to feel like a third wheel here
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:47 AM

haha yeah
KJ

Kenna James · 2:47 AM

yeah, sry my man...still learning how to have a successful Tawk!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:47 AM

Haha you're batting 1000 on successful tawks my friend
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:47 AM

and there is Jordan!
KJ

Kenna James · 2:48 AM

No, I like that approach in general. A pair in many situations is the best hand, but of course it depends on a lot more specifics to make the most profitable decision.
KJ

Kenna James · 2:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lea Wolfe

It will be the one time he's holding aces, Jordan. :)

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:49 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

Agains anyone else I would fold to a re-raise -against a LAG I might re-raise again. Mistake?

KJ

Kenna James · 2:49 AM

Actually, that is a real fear that keeps players from standing up to the LAG
KJ

Kenna James · 2:50 AM

Lea
KJ

Kenna James · 2:51 AM

They start playing on possibilities instead of probabilities
KJ

Kenna James · 2:52 AM

Don't worry, in the game I play, I'll come out the winner. If a guy shows me his fists, I'll show him a bat
KJ

Kenna James · 2:52 AM

If he shows me 88's I'll show him TT's
KJ

Kenna James · 2:52 AM

for example
KJ

Kenna James · 2:54 AM

Your gun in poker is your confidence, develop that and no one will be able to touch you
KJ

Kenna James · 2:54 AM

I think I was a little too aggressive in the conversation and killed my co-host
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:55 AM

I'm just waiting for AK KK or AA to respond
KJ

Kenna James · 2:55 AM

LOL
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:55 AM

I just ordered a veggie burger from the waitress
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:55 AM

hahah
KJ

Kenna James · 2:55 AM

People mistake aggression as attack too...it really has to do with motion and the force of it
KJ

Kenna James · 2:56 AM

force behind it
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:56 AM

Really great stuff KJ as always... I'd like to move to one last point
KJ

Kenna James · 2:56 AM

sure
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:56 AM

which is identifying a LAG so we know when to use these tips you've shared with us.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:56 AM

You gave me one very useful tool that I use at almost every game I play still
KJ

Kenna James · 2:57 AM

share it
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:57 AM

which is while Im trying to settle into a game patiently, as an exercise I count the hand frequency of the players at the table
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:58 AM

it kills two birds with one stone, as I said I don't get eager to play too early... and I identify someone playing very loose
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 2:58 AM

Are there other tips to spotting the LAG quickly?
KJ

Kenna James · 2:59 AM

Yes, that's good. Hand frequency will help you identify whether someone is loose or tight
KJ

Kenna James · 2:59 AM

Aggression has to do with how they play their hand...if they are betting more then calling or limping...or raising when facing a bet rather then tend to call...
KJ

Kenna James · 2:59 AM

we call that taking the lead in a hand...
KJ

Kenna James · 3:00 AM

If they are the player who often has the lead, then you can say they are aggressive
KJ

Kenna James · 3:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lea Wolfe

Even LAG's have patterns that can be spotted...that will help you know when he has the aces...

Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:00 AM

Define often please
KJ

Kenna James · 3:00 AM

Good point Lea!
KJ

Kenna James · 3:01 AM

Yes, often meaning he does it a lot....that he tends to take the lead rather then call
KJ

Kenna James · 3:01 AM

frequently a better word then "a lot"
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:02 AM

Haha I know what "often" means!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:02 AM

I mean what kind of frequency
KJ

Kenna James · 3:02 AM

Ah, well it's okay, I'll be your huckleberry
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:02 AM

like I know you considered certain percentages of hands to be high
KJ

Kenna James · 3:02 AM

AH...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:02 AM

and while we are at it... thats probably a useful tip
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:03 AM

what percentage of hands do you consider high or low in a tournament
KJ

Kenna James · 3:03 AM

I'd say if he is taking the lead 75% or more of the time that is often
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:03 AM

got it.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:03 AM

and hand freq?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:03 AM

whats loose?
KJ

Kenna James · 3:03 AM

10% in ep - 20% in mp and 30% in lp is standard
KJ

Kenna James · 3:04 AM

anymore then that and I would consider a player "loose"
KJ

Kenna James · 3:04 AM

ep meaning early position mp, middle...etc.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:05 AM

Ah position, no lesson you have ever given me changed my game as significantly as position!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:05 AM

Next weeks topic perhaps??
KJ

Kenna James · 3:05 AM

Perhaps...if the people are interested...????
KJ

Kenna James · 3:05 AM

Position is such a great topic and not easily understood...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:05 AM

Well it was a great turnout tonight, Im sure they will continue to be interested...
KJ

Kenna James · 3:06 AM

Let me say one more thing...
KJ

Kenna James · 3:06 AM

about handling LAGS
KJ

Kenna James · 3:06 AM

for the people who were kind enough to show up and ask questions
KJ

Kenna James · 3:06 AM

Know your hand values by position!! and Learn to stand up for your self!
KJ

Kenna James · 3:07 AM

If you know where you're at and how to play your hand, there's no reason to let someone push you around.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lea Wolfe

Great Kenna!

KJ

Kenna James · 3:08 AM

You must learn the game and know it well, because I promise you, the aggressive players in the game of today do.
KJ

Kenna James · 3:08 AM

And you must learn to beat them at their own game!
KJ

Kenna James · 3:08 AM

Okay?
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:08 AM

Awesome words bud... thanks so much for sharing your wisdom as usual. Thanks to everyone who joined
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:09 AM

what a great audience tonight right KJ??
KJ

Kenna James · 3:09 AM

Thanks All.
KJ

Kenna James · 3:09 AM

Enjoy the Journey everyone!
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:09 AM

For those just stopping in after the fact, as always hit the TOP button in the top left of the screen to read from the start...
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:10 AM

and if you want more Poker Tawk with KJ, check out last week's tawk here http://southwestpokernews.com
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:10 AM

oops haha thats where you can check out Kenna's articles!
KJ

Kenna James · 3:10 AM

Lol. Thanks Blake. Always great tawking with you my man. Good night.
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:11 AM

Good night coach
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:11 AM

and HERE is where you can check out our Tawk from last week! http://tawke.rs/Yt5Axb
Blake Ian

Blake Ian · 3:11 AM

See you all next tuesday night!