Most of the poker authors in today’s poker world recommend a tight-aggressive approach to the game. "Tight-aggressive" means two things: First, you are selective about the hands you play (in other words, play "tight"). Second, when you play a hand -- be aggressive. In poker, aggression is manifested in betting and raising, not only when you actually do hold a strong hand, but also when you might not have the best hand at the moment. By being aggressive, you force your opponents to keep making difficult decisions. The more they have to make, the more likely they are to make mistakes.
Tight-aggressive poker is based on the premise that since you play few hands, most observant opponents will give you credit for having a strong hand when you bet or raise, and may throw their hand away. Occasionally, they might even throw away a superior hand. The tight aggressive style can best be described by Mike McDermott in the movie Rounders: “Get your money in when you have the best of it, and protect it when you don’t. Don’t give anything away.”
The opposite of playing tight aggressive is the "loose passive" approach. Loose passive players are no match for tight aggressive players. The action most commonly associated with loose passive play is checking and calling. For this reason, loose passive players are also known as "calling stations." Checking and calling is generally not a strategy associated with winning poker. In fact, checking and calling contradicts the instincts within all good players to seize control of the table and put their opponents on the defensive. However, if executed selectively, checking and calling can be a winning poker strategy.
The question then becomes when is it advisable to check and call in a limit Holdem game? Since so much depends on your table image and the quality of your opponents, conditions will vary. But here are some general guidelines that assume you are first to act:
When to Check and Call
Against overly aggressive players - When checked to, overly aggressive players and maniacs tend to bet indiscriminately. If given the opportunity, they will usually bluff away their money. So why would you bet into someone that will be doing the betting for you? If you bet out, the maniac may give you credit for a hand and fold (which costs you money on later rounds, if you have a hand).
On a draw with sufficient pot-odds in a multi-way pot - This commonly occurs when you are in early position with either a straight or flush draw. If there are three or more players still to act behind you, a bet is unlikely to win the pot. You might even get raised. You want to see the next card (or two) as cheaply as possible, although if you can get down to a single opponent, you may have an opportunity to semi-bluff on the Turn, or bluff on the River (if the flush fails). However, if three or more players remain in the pot, checking and calling is usually the best strategy.
On a draw with sufficient implied odds - This means the amount of money does not justify a call at the present time, but you are reasonably sure you will make enough money on later betting rounds if you successfully make your hand.
Slow playing a big hand - If you flop a monster hand, you probably want as many players and as much money in the pot as possible. You certainly don't want to tip-off the strength of your hand to your opponents. Most players that flop a set, the nut flush, or a straight will wait until the turn to check-raise. With that said though, often times if you bet out, your opponents will have a difficult time putting you on a big hand. I generally advise slow playing when you hold all of the good cards. For instance, say the flop comes A-A-10 and you happen to hold A-10. There isn’t much that any of your opponents can hold that will allow them to call a bet. However, they might bluff at it.
When they can’t call a bet - Continuing on with the last point. There are times when you know you hold the best hand on the river, but you know that your opponent can’t call if you bet. Example: when you know your opponent is on a flush draw. If you bet into him on the river, you know he is going to fold. But if you check to him, he might try bluffing at it figuring that bluffing is his only chance to win. You have to be careful with this play though. If your read isn’t correct, you may have just given your opponent a free showdown.
Knowing precisely which circumstances warrant a check and call - instead of a bet or raise - is one of the fundamentals of winning poker. This can only be mastered through hundreds of hours of play. It is important to remember that after each hand, to always look back and try to decide if you made the best play on each street. You may just find an easy leak – fix it!
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