Strategy7 min read • Beginner
Choosing Your Play Style: TAG vs LAG vs NIT vs GTO
Every winning poker player has a style. The key is choosing the right one for your current skill level and bankroll. Here's an honest breakdown.
| Style | VPIP | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎯 TAG | 18-22% | Easy | Beginners, NL2-NL25 |
| 🪨 NIT | 10-14% | Easy | Bankroll recovery |
| 🔥 LAG | 25-32% | Hard | Experienced players |
| 🧮 GTO | 22-28% | Expert | NL50+ serious study |
🎯 TAG — Start Here
TAG (Tight-Aggressive) is the gold standard for micro-stakes. You play ~20% of hands and raise/bet aggressively with them.
PROS
- ✅ Simple to execute
- ✅ Profitable at micro-stakes
- ✅ Easy to learn in a week
- ✅ Clear fold/raise decisions
CONS
- ❌ Predictable to good players
- ❌ Less action (can be boring)
- ❌ Lower win rate at higher stakes
🪨 NIT — The Safety Net
NIT is for when you're rebuilding after losing streaks. Play only the absolute best hands. You'll win less frequently but almost never take big losses.
When to use NIT:After losing 5+ buy-ins, when tilting, when you're at a very aggressive table, or when rebuilding bankroll from zero.
🔥 LAG — The Upgrade
LAG is what TAG players graduate to. You open wider, 3-bet lighter, and put maximum pressure. But it requires strong postflop play and reads.
⚠️ Warning:Do NOT play LAG until you're consistently beating your current stake with TAG. LAG played badly = ATM for opponents.
🧮 GTO — The Science
GTO is mathematically balanced play. Your ranges are constructed so no opponent can exploit you. This is what solvers output.
The Recommended Path
🎯Start TAG→Beat the stake→🔥Add LAG elements→🧮Study GTO theory
Use 🪨 NIT any time you need to stabilize after bad runs.