Playing poker against stupid players should be lucrative, but do you often find yourself losing to players who have no idea of what they are doing? This can be a deep frustration for players that are serious about improving their own game.

Playing against such weak players you might feel entitled to their cash because of their frequent misplays. If you’ve taken the time to learn the game from the numerous resources available to you, then you can see how many errors they make, but are also puzzled at how they are winning at the table, and your bankroll is not. This is normal, and it’s even more normal to experience some of your biggest beats online due to players who have no hint as to what they are doing. They didn’t read any books, watch any videos, and care little about bankroll management. Thus they will not be playing position, odds, or hole card strength.

Let’s come to terms with this, horrible bad beats are going to happen to you and they are usually at the hands of these types players. Now obviously, they did not invest in training time like you did and as a result have a very different view of poker than you do. They will not be playing in a fashion that can make any sense to you. At least you figured out that they don’t recognize what they’re doing, and that’s truly all you require to start getting their money. It’s best to try and avoid these players unless you have a quality hand that you can value that against them. There are definitely strategies to use against these players while not putting your own stack at high chance against them.

Controlling the pot size. Unless you have the nuts or a very good hand you want to be able to play against players like this while keeping the pot small until you are positive you have the winner. If you can’t do this it’s best to stay out of the pot completely. When you know you’re strong then you have to value bet when you’ll get paid off by the second-best hand.

Don’t play the hand. This will be more challenging because you will frequently have a better starting hand than your stupid opponent, and folding is always tough. However this is going to keep you out of guessing games and preserve your stack for a more profitable spot.

Be patient grashopper. As terrible as they play, you may not get the cards to take him down - at least this time. Be certain though, that player is like thousands of others waiting to give you their money. If not him, patience will grant you with another sorry player that will accommodate.

Playing positiion profitably. The concept is to strictly avoid out of position plays against weak players that often minraise with no forethought, and allow other players to reraise the limpers. You need to see very cheap flops against this player and make them pay when you hit one.

Don’t bluff them a story. They cannot read the “poker story” you are trying to communicate. The board may have numerous overcards to their pocket 6’s and they will still call you. Save yourself some grief and coin, do NOT bluff poker suckers.

Catch a donkey by the tail. Once you do get a lousy player in the good situation, then you need to do your best to trap him for all his cash. He may want to bluff you, but he may also call a lot off too. You need to know what kind of fool he is by profiling.

Losing pots to clueless players can be aggravating, but the fact is you DO KNOW they are losers even if they are ahead right now. If they don’t give it back soon, they will give it back eventually, all you have to do is wait for your place.

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