The adjustment to Nits and Calling stations is the same

Whether they call too much or fold too much, the key ingredient to exploit is their passivity.

Dara O'Kearney and I are putting the finishing touches to our next book on exploitative poker. We used the 'Node Lock' feature on a number of solvers to find out how to play against different kinds of weak players.  

One of the big surprises, for me, was how two polar opposite playing styles often require the same exploit to beat them. We ran identical spots where a player folded more than GTO and called more than GTO, but the counter exploit was the same. 

In both instances, the way to beat them is to bet more. When a player folds too much, you should bet more. When a player calls too much, you should bet more. When a player plays draws passively, you should bet more. When a player doesn’t check/raise often enough, you should bet more. When a player slow plays too much, you should bet more. 

Passivity is the key

These things might seem to be polar opposite leaks, but they have the same adjustment. The common denominator is passivity. The overfolder and the calling station both play their hands timidly, and the way to exploit that is with more aggression.

When a player calls too much, betting more gets more value from them. When a player folds too much, we print money with our bluffs. 

What we really like about playing against these players is the fact they are less likely to reraise or check/raise us. Being reraised sucks and is the reason why ranges are tighter in earlier positions. It is a GTO disaster to bet and then have to fold away equity to an aggressive player. When a player shows no signs of aggression, whether they are a nit or a station, take advantage of them by betting more.

How do you adjust to Nits or Calling Stations? Let us know in the comments: