The loose passive player becomes involved in almost every hand with weak cards. Their philosophy is that any card combination can win and should be played; that's the loose play. However, the loose passive player is just that, passive. They decide to play with any hand but they rarely play with any aggression. They rarely raise despite calling most of the time. They play too aggressively with weak hands and too cautiously with good ones.

The loose aggressive player is also involved in a lot of hands, all most all of them in fact. They are the polar opposite of loose passive players in that they raise as often as possible, with virtually nothing to go on. They're bluffing most of the time and although they may hit you hard in the short term, in the end, you'll be glad to have these players at your table.

The tight players, whether they're tight aggressive or passive, they tend to get involved online with strong cards. That said, tight passive players are easy to bluff and, because they only play good hands, fairly predictable. The way to deal with these players is quite simple: back off if they're playing with any aggression.

The only type of player you should be is tight aggressive. This is the type of player you will want to be after you've had a run of bad luck playing any of the other three styles.

The tight aggressive player makes the right decisions. They tend to get involved with only the strongest cards, but when they get involved they play aggressively so they're difficult to bluff. They raise, check-raise, and force other players. They build up a good pot.

If you aren't a tight aggressive player already, you need to become one and ideally, you will be the only one at the tables you decide to play.

When it comes to handling the different styles of play, loose to tight, aggressive to passive, a whole range of strategies may serve you. Among the best strategies for loose aggressive players is the biding of time. They tend to trip themselves up with over eager play; bidding too much with cards that have little value. Bluffing often presents a risky proposition but it may be a judgment call if your cards are marginal and you're doing a good job of managing the old bankroll.

Tight passive players, on the other hand, (avoid tight aggressive players) can be bluffed quite easily. When they are aggressive, and it's rare, you know they're likely to have a strong hand; backing off becomes a good idea. Otherwise, you can steadily wear away at these players who by nature pass up many opportunities to cash in on strong hands.

Perhaps one of the most devastating and frustrating experiences for experienced players online is losing big to new and bad players, the players who know next to nothing about the game. Unfortunately, many skilled players have lost out to newbies since the explosion of internet poker. When Chris Moneymaker walked away with 2.5 million in 2004, hundreds and thousands of people began dreaming of similar success at the table.

What seems to irk experienced players is the version of beginner's luck these poker newbies enjoy. When you're on a tilt against a newbie, you're psychological strength is really put to the test. They know nothing about the game and it's usually apparent. They win with crazy cards and you're left wondering why you read so many books on poker over the years if you can loose so much to such ridiculous moves.

The thing to remember, though: experience and skill do eventually triumph. Believe it. They do. Don't let your vexation knock your game off balance. Stay focused and stay calm against all crazy beginners. Be gracious. Don't give them any advice about how they should play (unless you want the advance to sting you in the future). Let mistakes be made; let all newbies pay for their inexperience. Even if they have a run of good luck, newbies will pay you in the end.

Regardless of the type of player your up against, you should concentrate on playing tight and aggressive poker. Don't give your money away making daring bluffs but do fight to the death when you know your cards are good. In the long run, tight aggressive play is the only method that brings in results. Don't forget it.