Novice players of the Texas Hold’em may think that the game is a one-style or one-type of game. No siree. Consider this. A full ring game can either be loose-passive, tight-passive, loose-aggressive or tight-aggressive. There are also pot limit, no-limit, shorthanded games and of course, the tournaments. These are permutations of the game and each permutation requires its unique set of skills that cannot apply on a certain game.

We all have a perception of how to play a game correctly. Put in the player style in the equation of the game, the result is for that player to acquire his own type of game.

This doesn’t mean that a player is any better than the next just because he plays differently, unless the player falls into The Trap. This trap determines which player is the best.

What is The Trap? You know it. You just don’t realize it. Or worse, you won’t admit it. Certainly you have heard The Trap whisper to you as you start a game or when you’re deep into the game: This strategy already made me a winner so this will certainly work to my advantage this time.

Nobody blames you for thinking that way because falling into The Trap is very easy even for experienced players who are just undergoing bad judgment. It’s typical for a player who has fallen into The Trap to think like “I opt for full ring games but I won’t play if it is shorthanded.” You don’t realize that there are other players who think similarly.

Then of course, there are also groups who prefer a pot-limit or no-limit games or will only play if it is a tournament.

If you are a Poker player who aims to be a great player, you should not veer away from games that don’t fit your style. Remember that part of the journey to becoming a great player is to be able to play great in all styles.

You are doomed once you get too comfortable with one style and stops studying the game in its entirety. Why? Because your opponents are bent to improving on the game as best as they can. And you should too!

If you are not yet convinced. Let’s put it this way: You’ll losing great moneymaking chances if you only play for a certain type of Poker. Don’t ignore the other forms because you never know where your luck will strike.