One of the biggest challenges for players trying to improve is losing big pots to opponents who just do not know any better. You have taken the time to learn the right hands to play, and how to play them on the flop, but bad players seem to frequently defeat you playing weak hands.

If you take the time read poker books, study videos, and learn enough so that you can easily spot your own and other player’s errors, then your bankroll will grow as a result. Often times however, even though you do play strong poker your bankroll may be on the decline.

The fact is that if you’re going to play poker then bad beats are going to happen, and they are usually at the hands of these types of weak players. These sorry opponents have not invested in training like you have and as a result they have a very simplistic approach to poker. They will not be playing in a style that can make any sense to you, because YOU know the right way to play. At least you understand that they don’t know what they’re doing, and that’s really all you need to start wining their chips. It’s best to try and avoid these players unless you have a solid hand that you are sure will stand up against them. There are definitely strategies to use against these players while not putting your own stack at high chance against them.

Controlling the pot size. Unless you have the nuts or a very good hand you want to be able to play against players like this while keeping the pot small until you are certain you have the winner. If you can’t do this it’s best to stay out of the pot altogether. When you know you’re strong then you have to value bet when you’ll get paid off by the second-best hand.

Don’t play the hand. This will be more challenging because you will frequently have a better starting hand than your weak opponent, and folding is invariably tough. However this is going to keep you out of guessing games and maintain your stack for a more lucrative spot.

Be patient grasshopper. As bad as they play, you may not get the cards to take him down – at least this time. Be certain though, that player is like thousands of others waiting to give you their money. If not him, patience will award you with another awful player that will oblige.

Playing position profitably. The idea is to rigorously avoid out of position plays against weak players that often minraise with no forethought, and allow other players to reraise the limpers. You need to see very inexpensive flops against this player and make them pay when you hit good cards.

Avoid bluffing. Poker half-wits cannot comprehend that they may not have the greatest hand, no matter how bad the board texture is against them. Do not, I repeat do not try to bluff players who do not understand the strength of their hand.

Rope a donkey by the tail. Once you do get a lousy player in the right situation, then you need to do your best to trap him for all his cash. He may want to bluff you, but he may also call a lot off as well. You need to know what kind of fool he is by profiling.

Playing against weak players can be discouraging, however if you check any stats of these players, you will substantiate to yourself that they are not moneymaking players. All you have to resolve is if you want to give them chips or take theirs.