Poker's Mr. Analyst

He's super-tight, and has probably read so many poker articles and odds charts that he's paralyzed into playing only premium hands. This guy isn't going to slowplay much because he's too thrilled when his turn finally comes to make a bet.

What to do: Once you've identified him, by the frequent folding, realize that this type of rock-solid player will always push all-in on high pocket pairs. So watch for an all-in pre-flop, and if one comes, don't call it with anything less than a top-four starting hand. On the other hand, if the Analyst merely places a big raise, and it will be big and confident, realize that you're up against A-J, A-Q, A-K, but not a pair. Here's your time to decide whether you want to play a weaker hand and try to hit. You can really set this guy on tilt by playing 8-9 suited and making a hand. He won't be able to believe that his good cards "always" get beat. In reality, it's not that his good cards always get beat, it's just (1) obvious that he has overcards, and (2) a simple fact that over the short-term, great cards often lose to weaker starting hands, weaker starting hands held by player who know what they're up against and take the risk.

In a No-Limit game: Smooth-call the raise if you can afford it. Remember, you're trying to beat the odds here and crush the better starting hand. When the flop comes, you're really looking to hi something decent like two-pair or a pair with a draw.

And, of course, if you go into this hand calling the pre-flop raise and putting this tighty-turned-mighty player on overcards and the flop is something like A-J-3, get the hell out. Note that this was one hand where the charts were right and go on.

In a Limit game: It won't be as easy to take all his money here. Fortunately, it also might not cost you as much to attempt the upset. If he's first to act, he'll bet the flop, so if you've pulled off the upset, re-raise him. Because he's so tight, he might check the turn, but just keep raising and re-raising him.

Example: He's acted before you and has made a big raise pre-flop. You put him on A-K. You have 7h-8h. The flop yields 7d-Kh-8c. He'll be so thrilled that he hit top pair with an Ace kicker that you'll have no problem getting all his money in right here. At this point, the odds are in your favor. He won't be able to believe it. However, with those same hands, if the flop comes A-J-8, remember by you went into this hand in the first place, you were looking to upset. Better to fold now, save your money, and remember that reading poker articles and odds charts is worth something after all.