I play in a weekly $10/$20 LO8 game that I would consider tighter and more competent than an average LO8 game (I know why am I still playing it? Lack of options). There are a few notorious stations that make it playable but even they make reads and fold hands sometimes. Most regulars are TAG and wait around for good starting hands. Then there is this one player who I would describe as a LAG who has a wide raising range pre-flop (likes to raise 4 high cards sometimes and is one of the only regs who dares to 3-bet) and a wide post-flop raising range as well (any draw for them is a raise and rarely a call).
You would think playing this way would get them run down too often by the nits with better starting hands (usually the case with folks like this), but it just doesn't seem to play out that way. The LAG C-bets about 100% of the time and steals a lot of raised pots without showdown because the old guys miss the flop or miss their low draws, and then they get paid off far more than anyone else at the table when they do have the best hand. Not only because their range is so wide, but because the other players get upset with them for raising so often and think calling them down over and over is the solution. The LAG walks that fine line between aggression and recklessness very well, and knows all the right spots to bet. The basis of their strategy seems to be keeping everyone else off guard with relentlessness, and I think it may be viable under the right circumstances.
We all know that style works great in no limit and short handed games, but I'm surprised to see it doing so well at a full ring limit O/8 table. Maybe variance is simply shining on them for now, it's hard to tell. What do you think, is LAG a viable strategy in full ring LO8?
It's all relative but what you're describing sounds like decent limit poker to me. Collecting thin value at the margins through aggression and obscuring one's range is what makes poker skillful, fun, and profitable, imo. Sure, it can be overdone and/or exploited but it doesn't sound like your player pool is up to it. A very good lhe poster summed it up nicely years ago: "respect is a terrible thing."
I was looking forward to reading more replies to your question—especially from those who consciously play a LAG style in O8.
Yes, I think a LAG style can be profitable in a full-ring game. But the LAG is going to experience a lot more variance than the TAG, and not everyone has the stomach for that (or the bankroll).
Also, the LAG still has to pick his spots. I've seen players announce to the table that they're going to raise blind preflop and bet or raise every street without looking at their hand. That's worse than bingo; it's kamikaze poker. To be effective, a LAG has to pick the right targets to pressure, pick the right boards (and blockers) to bluff with, and exploit his image by building big pots and getting his opponents to pay him off when he makes a big hand.
In most full ring omaha 8 games that have mostly competent players the money tends to just get passed around. Sure you can be a slight winner in the game, but its by no means a good/profitable spot. My favorite game is short handed omaha 8, that game can be very profitable. As you would imagine ranges open up and its A lot more feel then just who shows nut/nut. This may be a slight over simplification but I think you get the point.
I used to play in a 15/30 game with a kill in NYC that was nuts. 5 or 6 ways every flop, and sometimes 9 handed on the kills. That game was very profitible but its rare you find action like that
In most full ring omaha 8 games that have mostly competent players the money tends to just get passed around. Sure you can be a slight winner in the game, but its by no means a good/profitable spot. My favorite game is short handed omaha 8, that game can be very profitable. As you would imagine ranges open up and its A lot more feel then just who shows nut/nut. This may be a slight over simplification but I think you get the point.
I used to play in a 15/30 game with a kill in NYC that was nuts. 5 or 6 ways every flop, and sometimes 9 handed on the kills. That game was very profitible but its rare you find action like that
If you think money just gets passed around in O8 then you're missing stuff about the game.
It's not that I don't want to reply so much as I don't like the question. I don't think a tag/lag approach to pre-flop play is a constructive framework for o8. In o8 you maximize profit by adjusting and exploiting opponents both pre-flop and post-flop. In games with lots of weak, passive players more aggressive players can benefit (or won't be punished anywhere close to as often) vs bad players.
100% cbet on o8 is also obvious spew, so this game is not nearly as competent as you think it is if villain can run over the table playing this style.
