Who can argue that poker, by nature, isn’t an aggressive game in which a certain amount of guts is useful, if not essential? Risks are taken, often under the guise of a bluff, and many of the best players in the world use blatantly confrontational tactics, such as taunting and staring-down opponents in an effort to intimidate. But when these efforts go awry and reputations get shredded in the process, the unsuccessful quickly learn something about the over-rated aspect of poker bravado.

There’s no getting around the fact that a psychological edge is imperative in all forms of poker, both live and online. Your table image is something that should always be constantly groomed and improved upon. Obviously a player who is feared and respected for their aggressive play will enjoy much greater liberties than a renowned tight and passive one. But unchecked aggression can also be equally destructive when used recklessly, and especially when used as a substitute for a sound tactical approach. And all too often it’s the masculine ego at the root of this problem. If you are like most of us and you can recall at least one occasion quite recently in which you added to a pot even though you knew you were beat, you’ll understand where we’re coming from. It happens all the time, and it’s extremely frustrating.

Obviously men are much more likely than women to be overly macho, but we do not wish to generalize here and say that gender is the major distinguishing factor in the different types of poker players. Female players also fall prey to the mistake of being overly aggressive, often in their desire to prove themselves worthy in a game so long dominated by men. Aggression is only one part of a solid poker repertoire, and should never be solely relied on. It comes down to the fact that sometimes the cards just aren’t there and rather than exercise patience, some players resort to ‘meat-head logic’. Playing smart is so much more beneficial than playing tough. Look at “Annette_15”, the newest poker sensation – incidentally a very young woman – who is known for her aggressive yet methodical style of play. She recently won a sit and go tournament without even looking at her hole cards. By doing this, she demonstrated the importance of playing position, identifying player’s betting patterns, and waiting for the right moment to strike. Keep this in mind next time you go blazing into battle.

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