Which Player Type Are You?

If you’re like me, and you tend to play against the same group of people most of the time, then hopefully you’ve noticed that each player has their own tendencies. My core group of about a dozen guys has players that run the complete spectrum of poker styles, from the obviously predictable to the blatantly erratic. Each style has it’s own benefits. Take a look at these player types, and try to identify who in your group fits each category, and also decide what category you best fit into.

THE BANKER


The Banker will play a very simple style of game, will almost never bluff, and will always bet at the flop if they think they’re ahead. These players are just trying to avoid the bad beat, content to win small pots, and not put too much at risk. Bankers tend to stay pretty quiet at the table, letting their play do the talking for them. They don’t play many hands, but when they do, it’s predictably a strong starting hand.

Bankers are often easy to bluff out of a pot. As they don’t like to put too much at risk, they will often fold the best hand, telling themselves that they now live to fight another day. They’re also not likely to do a lot of “acting” when they are holding the nuts, and you bet into them. If they call or re-raise when you try to raise them out of a pot, then it’s time to move on to the next hand.

THE POLITICIAN

The Politician loves to take chances. They will call pre-flop raises with less than desirable starting hands, hoping to catch a flop where they can bluff you off a stronger hand. They are also very talkative, trying to play subtle mind games with you during the hand. For example he’s just bet out at the flop, and while you’re deciding what to do, he’ll turn to another player at the table and say, “I had to bet, I hit top pair, but have a weak kicker”. They would play every hand if they could get away with it, and often make pre flop raises with bad hands, causing strange results when the cards are revealed.

The play of a politician will likely have more influence on the entire table than any other style of player. Often in a tournament, this player will be either double up or be eliminated (or both) before the end of the first blind level. They came to gamble, which you can use to your benefit if you are able to slow-play a strong hand. Let them do all the work, betting in to you, then start raking in the chips.

THE PROFESSOR

The Professor is the guy who knows all the rules, and has read at least a dozen different poker books. They may even contribute to an on–line forum or blog (or even write a monthly poker column), anything to show that they have more knowledge about poker than you. This type of player will calculate pot-odds, even when not in the hand, and is always quick to point out where other players went wrong in any given hand. If they’re not playing a premium hand, it’s almost always suited, or connected, or both.

Only talkative while observing the hand, the Professor is capable of playing loose or tight, but is prone to making bad plays trying to look like a genius. He will also be the first to point out any breach of etiquette that has occurred.

THE CEO

Just like in the business word, the CEO is at the top of their game. They’re able to play a variety of styles of poker, just like the professor, with one major difference. When they change their style of play, it’s a result of knowing whom they are playing against. The CEO will play a variety of hands, but generally stick to the stronger ones. They don’t like to bluff often but they know a Banker can be bluffed off a hand and they know the Politician will try to play and win every pot. The CEO is playing you as much as he is playing his own hand.

To become a CEO, you have to first realize who you are right now. Take advantage of your reputation by changing your style of play for a while. If necessary, show your hand on the river, even if you don’t have to, to get your point across. If you’re a Banker, show everyone that you bluffed, if you’re a Politician, show your big hand. Let them know you’re capable of mixing your game up, then when you do revert to a more familiar style of play, you will be less predictable.