03 Aug 2024 exploit fish In cash games, a significant portion of your profits often comes from recreational players (aka "fish"). Therefore, effectively identifying and playing against fish is a crucial element for earning money in poker. However, many people may feel uncertain about accurately spotting fish at the table. In this article, we will explain what "fish" means in poker and discuss methods to quickly and accurately identify them. What Does "Fish" Mean in Poker? A fish is someone with little poker experience who tends to lose money in the long run. In other words, a weak player. Conversely, experienced and consistently profitable players are referred to as "sharks", or "regulars". For example, you might hear someone say, "I played poker for three hours this morning and made $1,200 because there were so many fish!" Signs of Fish Since fish are generally poor poker players, their characteristics can vary. However, there are common tendencies (or signs) among many fish, which we'll explain here. High VPIP stat VPIP stands for "Voluntarily Put in Pot" and is a statistic that calculates the percentage of hands a player voluntarily puts money in the pot preflop (not counting the big blind or small blind where you’re forced to put chips in). At a table of 6 to 9 players a good VPIP should be around 20-25%. Therefore, players with an unusually high VPIP, especially those playing 40% or more of their hands, are likely fish. However, some players may have a high VPIP because they often play heads-up (HU). In such cases, it's essential to tune your poker HUD to filter out HU hands if you are playing 6-max or full ring tables. Want a solid HUD with great set of stats — check this one out! Limping from Positions Other Than SB Players who limp from positions other than the small blind (SB) are usually fish. Fish often call with a wide range of hands because they want to see the flop cheaply. Note: In tournaments or special situations (such as having aggressive players in late position), some players may intentionally limp in. Low Frequency of Raises and Re-Raises A common term for fish is "calling station". A calling station is a player who rarely raises or bets, even with strong hands, and frequently calls bets or raises with weak hands that have low chances of winning on the flop or turn. When encountering such players, it’s best to increase your thin value bet and raise frequency when you have strong hands, and reduce the frequency of bluffs or semi-bluffs since these players tend to call most hands. Conversely, if a player you consider a fish starts betting or raising, they are likely holding a strong hand. Easy to Tilt Fish are easily tilted. When their chips decrease rapidly or they lose consecutively, they become emotional and deviate significantly from standard play. Since big losses are common in poker, players who suddenly change their playing style are likely fish. Small Stack Sizes Strong players in cash games prefer to play with a full stack size, usually 100 bb. This is because a larger stack allows them to fully realize their skills, minimize the impact of the rake, and extract more value from weaker opponents. Therefore, players who consistently play with short stacks, like 67 bb or 28 bb, are likely fish. Note: Some players intentionally use a short stack strategy. Since playing with a short stack can be an effective strategy from an effective stack perspective, it's important to look for other fish characteristics beyond just stack size. Not Waiting for the BB Many online poker tables allow players to join the table immediately by paying the big blind (BB) instead of waiting. Most players who do this are fish. Winning players understand that the average win rate limit is 5-10 bb/100 hands and avoid unnecessary 1 bb payments, recognizing the disadvantage it poses. Let's Tag Fish! If you identify a fish, it’s a good idea to tag them. Many online poker sites allow you to mark players with colors or symbols. Since it's hard to remember opponents by anything other than their icons and usernames in online poker, tagging notable players can help you quickly recognize fish the next time you encounter them. This also allows you to choose tables with more fish and avoid those with many sharks. Conclusion Identifying and dealing with fish quickly is an essential skill for making money in poker. Generally, spotting extremely fishy players is easy if you focus on those with over 40% VPIP stat and those who limp frequently. However, remember to treat fish with respect. Occasionally, you may see players who lose to a fish's unconventional play complain or use abusive language. If you’re consistently winning (otherwise, you might be the fish), much of your income likely comes from these fish. Therefore, consider them your valued customers. Treat fish with respect and enjoy poker while appreciating their contribution to your success.
