Playing against passive players is like trying to pound jell-o: they are all give. The problem with this is that it is very difficult to make anything that resembles serious money against these guys. If you are playing for pride, making them fold will be great for your self-esteem, but if you're trying to make a buck, you're going to have to figure out a way to pry the money out of their wallets.
One of the best ways to make money while playing against passive players is to play more hands. Passive Holdem players are generally waiting for strong cards and a legitimate hand to play with. If you are in the early position, betting and raising before the flop is a good way to steal the blinds. If you are in a middle or late position, raising will accomplish the same thing.
If anyone is left, continue your aggression after the flop. Passive players are predictable to a fault. If they match your aggression, that means you are up against a legitimately strong hand and you can react accordingly.
If you are in any position with strong hole cards, limp in, and do the bare minimum to keep people in the hand. This includes checking after the flop. If you are not in the late position, chances are even a passive player sitting in that spot will play the game by the book, and bet or raise. At this point you spring with all the fury of a rattlesnake inflicted with tourette's syndrome. You will re-raise and test your opponent's nerve. Chances are they will think they have stepped into a slowplay trap and take the "discretion is the better part of valor" approach to the hand, leaving you with the pot.
Good Luck!
Contact usTerms and ConditionsCopyright © 2004-2009 LaunchPoker. All rights reserved

