10 Effective Strategies to Beat Bad Poker Players

Co-authored by Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

If you’re having trouble beating players who aren’t as good as you at poker, it probably means that you’re overthinking things. When you’re the more skilled player, keep things simple, play by-the-numbers poker, and let your opponents beat themselves. We’ve listed several good ideas for playing winning poker against less talented opponents, so read on and get ready for your next game!

1

Play to win, not to get better.

Improve your skills by playing superior players, not inferior ones. Lesser players can’t challenge you and force you to innovate and improve the way better players do. Instead of trying to manufacture ways to build your skills while playing lesser competition, focus on playing a straightforward game that gives you the best chance to win. This can feel a little boring—but if winning really is your number-one goal, this is the best way to achieve it.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Think of it this way—you’re helping them become better poker players by serving as their superior competition!

2

Diagnose their playing style.

Identify them as passive or aggressive within a few hands. Less talented poker players usually come in one of two types: they’re either overly aggressive or overly passive. Aggressive players bet too much, raise too much, and consistently overplay their hands. Passive players check and call too much and usually only raise the stakes when they have really great hands. Less skilled players are also poor at hiding their playing styles, so you should be able to figure them out quickly.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Play the first few hands a bit timidly, watching to see which players try to take control of the action. Once you have each of the other players pegged, use their type of bad playing style against them.

3

Don’t overestimate their skills.

Stop yourself from overthinking what they’re doing. Less skilled players make curious calls, ridiculous raises, and foolish folds because they’re making mistakes—not because they have some deeper strategy in mind. It’s definitely true that you should never underestimate good players and should see every move they make as a scheme or strategy. But it’s just as important not to treat bad players like they’re good players in disguise.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Can a bad player occasionally bluff you successfully? Sure. But they simply don’t have the poker skills to play a higher-level game. Their shortcomings are on display for you to identify and use against them.

4

Play one level above them.

Don’t play your “A” game when a “C” will do the job. Think of it this way: an NBA star wouldn’t bust out their most complicated and gravity-defying moves in order to win a slam dunk contest against a bunch of high schoolers. The risk that they’ll mess up the dunk is greater than the reward, while a more run-of-the-mill dunk (for them) will surely get the job done. If you play your “A” game poker against lesser players, you likewise increase the risk that you’ll overcomplicate things and mess up instead of just getting the job done.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Save your “A” game poker, with your maximum strategizing, for games against other good players. Stick to your simplified, consistent, sensible “C” game to beat “D” level players.
- Just like the NBA player, you may find it boring and limiting to focus on being just good enough to beat the other guys. But that’s the easiest and most efficient way to ensure victory. Keep reminding yourself that winning is your ultimate goal here.

5

Play the odds with each hand.

Stick to a by-the-book poker strategy. Now’s not the time to try an unusual betting strategy or play against the percentages. Instead, calculate your odds of victory based on the hand you’re dealt and wager accordingly. Your superior ability to play the odds, seize the advantages presented to you, and avoid mistakes will lead you to victory far more often than not.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Resist the urge to think you can win with a lousy hand just because you’re the better player. When the cards (and odds) aren’t in your favor, don’t try to force the issue. Play mistake-free poker and let your opponents make the mistakes.

6

Bet slightly conservatively.

Wager sensibly and let your opponents make betting errors. This doesn’t mean you should under-bet when you have a good hand. Instead, bet according to your hand and the situation, but err a little bit on the conservative rather than aggressive side. Open a little more room for your opponents to feel confident or sense an opportunity. Allow them to mistakenly raise or fold at the wrong time, then reap the rewards.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Fight the temptation to make big bets in an effort to blow out inferior opponents quickly. All you’re doing is introducing unnecessary risk. Just play a consistent and smart game and let your superior betting awareness and overall skills win out.

7

Keep cool when you lose a hand.

Stay confident that your skill will beat their luck. Yes, it’s really frustrating to lose when you have a good hand and the odds are in your favor, all because the newbie across the table lucked into a pair of aces. But that’s poker! Have a short memory and immediately turn your focus to the next hand. Your opponent’s lucky break may give them a sense of false confidence that will lead them to make more mistakes while you continue to play smart poker.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Don’t expect to win every hand against inferior players—that’s just not how poker works. You’ll lose some but win more so long as you stay calm and focused.

8

Let aggressive bad players overplay.

String them along and let them self-destruct. Aggressive bad players are easy to spot: they bet and raise too much and too often. They think they can somehow force control of the hand when their cards won’t allow it. Counter them by playing a steady, consistent, by-the-numbers game yourself and letting them beat themselves.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- They may try to goad you into getting more aggressive: “C’mon, if you’re so good at poker, why are you afraid to call my bet?” Don’t fall into this trap!

9

Stick to your game with passive bad players.

Avoid slow-playing or overplaying your hand. Bad passive players call too much instead of raising or re-raising when they have the advantage. You may be tempted to play more aggressively in order to overwhelm them, or slow-play your good hands in an effort to draw them into more aggressive play. Both strategies are mistakes—instead, focus on playing your game your way.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Unlike aggressive players, who usually self-destruct and bankrupt themselves more quickly, beating a passive bad player typically involves patiently whittling away at their mistakes. Don’t be in a rush to win!

10

Offer advice only after you win.

Don’t help them get better and beat you while you’re playing. It’s tempting to coach a lesser player—like offering a “you should’ve raised there”—during a friendly game of poker. But if winning is your first priority, save any helpful advice until after the game is over. Offer, for example, to give them some tips when you’re not playing for money.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- In a more contentious poker game, you might also inadvertently “coach” a lesser player by commenting on their poor play: “How could you fold with that hand?!” Work to keep both positive and negative coaching advice to yourself during the game.
- It’s all about your goals here. If you’re playing with friends and want to help them improve while still mostly winning, then sure, help them out a bit. But if your goal is truly to beat less talented players, keep your eyes on the prize—their chip stack!