What do Phil Ivey, Om Dwan, Vanessa Selbst, Lex Veldhuis, and Dario Mineiri have in common? In addition to being incredibly successful poker players, they all have a so-called “loose-aggressive” style of play. Once considered reckless to the point of mania, this risky approach is increasingly becoming popular, especially in online poker. Boss-level loose-aggressive players (LAGs) are hard to read and hard to play against, making them the ultimate opponents. So what do you do when you run up against them? If you just want to know how to defend yourself against them, a knowledge of the LAG way is essential to get ahead in poker. Here’s what you need to know to defend yourself against LAGs – and maybe incorporate the basic principles of their style into your strategy.

What Is a Loose Aggressive (LAG) Poker Player?

The term “loose-aggressive” breaks down into two components. The first is “loose.” This doesn’t refer to any negative qualities, despite what some uninformed players may think. On the contrary, “loose” is applied to a competent player with a broader range of starting poker hands than is the norm. In other words, they play more hands — as much as 30% more — and get into more pots than “tight aggressive” players (TAGs).

The second term is “aggressive.” LAG players are never passive. They’ll come out betting and raising whenever they can sniff an advantage. This forces their opponents to make decisions continually — and those decisions can become very expensive as the bets keep piling up. No wonder LAGs are considered to be the most intimidating opponents – and no wonder, either, that the best LAGs scoop up prizes, from online poker tournaments to WSOP bracelets.

How to Counter an Aggressive Poker Playing Style

When you start comparing TAG and LAG poker playing strategies, you’ll notice that psychology is an important aspect. Not all players are cut out to be LAGs. The primary reason they can win while making plays that apparently defy the odds is that they have expert-level knowledge of poker theory. It’s no sweat for them to calculate hand values in any given spot, or to deduce a positive EV line. Unless you’re at that level, the way of the LAG is not for you, so don’t try to beat them at their own game. Concentrate on becoming really good at ABC poker first. After all, knowing your limits is one of the life skills you can acquire by playing poker.

A word of caution: Don’t get LAGs confused with maniacs. These are the crazy players who can’t take enough risks and care very little about poker theory, strategy, or even if they win or lose. All that interests them is playing super-loose, aggressive poker that gets in their opponent’s face. This is why beginners can struggle to tell maniacs and LAGs apart. But if you pay attention, you’ll notice that while maniacs can inflict severe pain on their opponents from time to time, overall, they bleed money. By contrast, LAGs tend to make money over time.

The good news is that it’s much easier dealing with maniacs than LAGs. Once you’ve clocked the maniac at the table, check your position relative to them. If they’re on your right, great – you have position and can punish them when they do something foolish. If they’re on your left, you can think about luring the maniac into traps such as overbetting. This will not work against LAGs, so don’t even think of trying it.

For more detailed insights into playing against LAGs, check out the FAQs at the end of this article.

Key Adjustments for Different Stages of the Game

A great way to defend yourself against LAGs is to think like them. Here are some broad-stroke basics for how to be more loose and aggressive when you play poker games online.  

Before the Flop

Avoiding costly preflop poker mistakes is key to surviving against LAGs. Work your way out of your comfort zone and loosen up your opening range. Start by open-raising more hands in late positions like the cutoff and button. Aim to open with as many as 50 percent of your starting hands.

At the same time, get into three-betting more often. Add some bluffing hands to your three-betting range to make you less predictable and hopefully get more fold equity.

After the Flop

If you have the skill and experience, you will assess the board texture and your opponents after the flop and put them under pressure. Do they have a balanced checking range? Take advantage of any sign of weakness. Be sure to play your drawing hands aggressively to collect some fold equity as well.

On the turn, double-barrel bluffs can succeed where tight-aggressive players (TAGs) might C-bet and quit. Exploit your table image. Your tight opponents will be worried as they anticipate a massive river bet to come, so push them out of their comfort zone.

On the river, extract value when you have a hand. Make that massive value bet. Don’t be afraid to go all in. Your loose image means opponents are more likely to think you’re bluffing than if you were a nit or a fish, so they’ll defend against your bet and pay you off.

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FAQs About LAGs in Poker

Are There Hands That LAGs Never Play?

Yes and no. Loose-aggressive poker players will play more marginal hands, but they won’t play junk unless there’s a good reason.

What Does It Mean When a Loose-Aggressive Player Calls?

If a LAG gives up the initiative, it means they’re either giving up (unlikely) or they are trapping an opponent.

Do LAGs Bluff a Lot?

Yes, they do, but only in the right spots. No matter what their hand, LAGs will put you under pressure and attack if you show signs of weakness.

How Aggressive Are Loose-Aggressive Poker Players?

LAGs are always attacking their opponents in order to force them into making tough choices that could result in mistakes, but they’re never mindlessly aggressive (unlike maniacs.)

Can LAGs Win in Online Poker?

Yes, LAGs can and often do win big, but only if they have the skill and experience to handle the risks.

Do LAGs Ever Tighten Up?

Yes, they do. A good LAG will balance their range and sometimes play tight-aggressive poker so as to be even more unpredictable.