If you've ever read a poker guide or watched a tutorial on the subject, you've probably heard about how important it is to have a good strategy, how you must use proper tactics, and so on.
But what is the difference between strategies and tactics when it comes to poker games? How do you choose the best strategies and tactics to get you into the big leagues? This Everygame poker strategy guide might answer all your questions and lead you to victory!
The Difference Between Strategies and Tactics
First of all, let's take a look at the dictionary meaning of the words:
Strategy means a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim, while tactic is defined as an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end.
To simplify things, you can say that a strategy is the overall plan that is meant to achieve a certain goal, while tactics are the individual steps that will get you there.
Any player who wants to win at poker more consistently needs to develop an overall solid strategy, while working on useful tactics that can help them achieve their goal. Being able to think both tactically and strategically is crucial, as one cannot work without the other.
Tactics in Poker
For many years, poker pros were busy analyzing different poker moves, coming up with the best tactics for specific scenarios. Nowadays, using poker tracking software can produce similar results, and newbie players get to enjoy the products of this labor and learn different tactics in case they encounter those scenarios in real life.
For example, many players consider folding top pair against a turn raise as a strong tactic, as in most cases it would be the right move. Players can also figure out when a river bluff could yield a good result and stay in the game only when the odds are in their favor.
There are dozens of tactics that have already been tested and proven to be effective, so even those who don't understand the fine details of the game or are still unsure of what their strategy is can use those tactics to win a few hands.
Strategies in Poker
To use poker tactics, you must encounter very specific scenarios at the tables. However, not everything can be predicted in advance, and in some situations, you won’t have a tactic to pull out of your hat at a moment's notice.
In those cases, you should have a general strategy to guide you, in the hopes that logic and reason will help you make the right choice no matter what happens at the tables.
When trying to develop strategic thinking, you must look at your range as a whole instead of focusing on your hand specifically. When trying to determine your range, there are multiple factors that you must consider, including who your opponent is, how he plays, what his position is, and what kind of hand can he possibly have.
Each player has to decide whether to play a narrow range of hands or expand the range, depending on the situation. Experienced players know how to adjust their range every round, but even those who are new to the game can choose to stick to a conservative range, increasing their chances of making the right decisions as the game progresses.
Poker Strategy vs. Tactics: Summary
While you can memorize a few poker tactics, developing a good strategy is a must if you want to become a better player. As long as your fundamental understanding of strategizing is solid, you can rest assured you are on the right track!