Playing against regulars at low stakes
Regulars (“regs”) are players who play the same games often and usually have a solid, tight-aggressive style. At low stakes most of your profit comes from recreational players, not regs — so the goal with regs is to avoid losing much while picking up easy spots.
How to spot a regular
Section titled “How to spot a regular”- Plays many tables or is always at your game.
- Uses standard raise sizes and few limps.
- Folds a lot preflop, 3-bets a reasonable amount.
- Rarely chats; times out rarely; acts at a steady pace.
See player types and poker stats explained.
Typical low-stakes reg tendencies
Section titled “Typical low-stakes reg tendencies”| Tendency | How to adjust |
|---|---|
| Fold too much to 3-bets | 3-bet them a bit more in position. See 3-bet |
| C-bet often, give up on the turn | Float in position and bet when they check. See float |
| Rarely bluff big rivers | Fold one pair to big river bets. See bluff catchers |
| Steal blinds a lot | Defend and re-steal from the blinds. See stealing blinds |
What not to do
Section titled “What not to do”- Don’t fight for pride: a reg re-raising you isn’t personal.
- Avoid marginal spots against good regs — save your chips for weaker players.
- Don’t try fancy bluffs against players who think on the same level.
Table selection is the real edge
Section titled “Table selection is the real edge”If a table is full of regs and no recreational players, find another table. See table selection and anonymous tables.
What is a regular in poker?
Section titled “What is a regular in poker?”A player who plays the same games often, usually with a solid, tight-aggressive style.
Should I try to beat regulars at low stakes?
Section titled “Should I try to beat regulars at low stakes?”Your main profit comes from recreational players; avoid big marginal confrontations with regs.
How can I exploit tight regulars?
Section titled “How can I exploit tight regulars?”3-bet them a bit more, float their c-bets in position and defend against their steals.
What if my table is full of regulars?
Section titled “What if my table is full of regulars?”Find another table with more recreational players.