Rock - Player Type

A rock is a tight passive player who doesn't get involved in many hands or betting skirmishes. This type of player is very conservative and plays a tight game and can take a little longer to identify at the table. They are very predictable in playing habits and will not normally get involved unless they have a monster.

These players are easier to play against. They only really play the best hands and they tend not to bluff or get to showdown without a hand to match. The reason they are easy is that they fold more than they should pre flop (meaning they are folding relatively strong hands that are very playable). They also don't take enough hands to showdown. This is all very exploitable.

This style is the complete opposite of a maniac who likes to get involved with any two cards. A rock lacks the creativity to get involved with speculative hands and it won't take good players long to pick up on this and start exploiting this weakness..

Good players mix their play up so that they are passive at times and aggressive at other times, keeping their opponents on their toes.

How to play against a Rock

There is a fundamental problem with this playing style and that it is easily recognized. Once the table knows that you only get involved with huge hands or monster draws, the only action you'll get is when you're is up against a bigger hand.

Now that we know their tenancies, we know the basics on how to beat them.

1. We are going to be able to steal their blinds more than we would normally be allowed.

2. We are going to be 3-betting and even 4-betting fairly light if they have limped in or bet in late position. These hands needn't have much showdown value.

3. We will bluff more than we should against them. Pressure them as we know they will only play with the best hands.

4. Fold marginal hands if they suddenly appear interested in their hands.

5. If we call a raise from a Rock and the board hits low, exploit the fact they have likely missed.

When to stay out of the hand against a Rock

The problem already stated with the Rocks playing style is that it's fairly obvious when they get a hand. Looking at a LAG player style, who will be raising and trying to steal all the time, it's very difficult to know the real hands from the dross. A Rock might fold 30 hands and then suddenly seem interested. Doesn't take much to identify that he has something big.

As a rule - when they become active, we're only going to get involved with premium starting hands.