poker players are repeatedly told that one must play aggressively to win. It sounds good in theory, but in the real-world of poker rooms and online sites, it is scary to bet out big and often and put real money at risk. How do you know if you are being aggressive enough and how can you cultivate a more aggressive poker style? The measure of your aggressive is determined by how many folds you force at the table. The ultimate benchmark of aggressiveness if how many pots you win with no showdown at all. To adopt a more aggressive poker online style, you will need to practice it. Find a safe place to do so where you won’t lose a lot of money - at free online sites, or low-priced fixed entry tournaments. Then challenge yourself to win as many hands as you can with no showdown. At loose tables, bet aggressively when you have premium cards. At tight tables, be the maniac. Work to establish a defined image from the start so you can pull off some bluffs that don’t go to showdown. Keep track of your results, and note how many hands you played and how many go to the river, and then to actual showdown. See if you can increase the percentage of pots won without showing your cards. This is a good way to build confidence in a more aggressive style. Make it a goal to win pots without showdown.
