Aggression: Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is a game of strategy and psychology. There is a certain strategy however that can bring zing back into the game.
Aggressive play in Texas Hold'em are plays such as opens and raises. These are the plays that push the envelope and put you in a more pro-active stance, rather than a reactive one such as when you simply call or check. Aggressive play often acts as a good defense as well, preventing the more passive players from fighting you on their terms. Weak hand increase in value with aggressive play, as they can force players out of the pot before they can find hand support in the flop or turn.
Aggressive play tends to reward more than defensive or passive play, if only for the sheer fact that the player is involved in more hands than the passive player. Texas Hold'em however is a very strategic and an amazingly psychological game. Predictability comes into play more often that most players think and that is much more damaging to the bankroll than being passive. Constant aggression leads to the term "maniac", which is easy to beat with the right timing. Players of considerable ability can push back and eventually catch them with weak cards.
Playing aggressively with only the strong hole cards in Texas Hold'em can create a visible pattern for other players to respond to. Betting and raising becomes a signal for other players to back away. Many expert players often say that young poker prospects shouldn't confuse aggressiveness with loose or random play. Aggression is called for and measured. A strong hand off the flop or turn should be played with aggressive betting. This is far removed from loose play, or playing any hand that happens to come to you in Texas Hold'em.
Aggression can easily be used for deception and rightfully so. This can be used as advertising, or using your reputation of aggressive play to push people out of the pot. This firmly uses the psychological aspect of Texas Hold'em to your advantage - if they're thinking of you, they're not thinking of your strategy and that means you're on step away already.
Any player should be aware of using this accordingly. Coupling aggressive play with tight hole cards selection in Texas Hold'em can lead to more consistent victories, a fact especially true when it comes to tables with eight or more players. Try it out and perhaps your game will rise to a level you've never seen.