SORRY FOR THE LENGTH - I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR

I"m definately new to the game (started this year) and I even more recently started playing online for money last week. not sure if i'm good yet, but i did (within the first week at WPTonline.com make it in 2nd place for the WPT invitational and won the LA poker 1 tourney, and placed in the top 5 of the LA poker 2 tourney (3 tier tourey)). In any case I have only read Carro's book of tells, Hellmuth's Texas HOldem, and am currently in the middle of Brunsons Super system 2 (SS 1 was sold out =C)

anyways I seem to be doing well online, but I'm up and down in home games, and usually what get's me are the aggressive players. I've adopted a more conservative style of play but i'm hearing conflicting information about what exactly is the best strategy. I'm sure the true answer is buried under (a little of both will find u gold!) And i'm sure thats right... but then how come almost EVERYONE is saying "aggressive is the way to go" including the top players...


I just don't kno which way to go and/or how far out of each to adopt!?

Anothiern thing is, Hellmuth's book (as to my understanding) teaches a more conservative style of play, and he's doing well.... as well today i watched Phill Ivey slow play his way up to winning a Tourney In england I believe against Juanan or whomever =|...
Sorry for the long post but i'm completley baffled as to which style to adopt..... or weather to borrow the best from both and let instincts be the judge

It's all about aggression BUT at the right time. Knowing when it's the right time is the hard part and what separates the quality player from the maniac.

You don't have to start playing any two cards to be aggressive, just make people pay to play hands against you. Know when to fold but also know when to fight back against the person who's trying to take down the pot with overcards. The thing to avoid becoming is someone who only ever calls and never reraises without real strength. Let people know you have decent standards but won't be pushed around.

Try the book Kill Phil

then get Harrington on Holdem VolI.

Bonch, I am warning you - don't piss me off.

I am warning you.

You have been warned.

thanx for all the posts, i've heard the majority of this advice before and i'm guessing it's more of an instinct thing than ne thing. Because just being aggressive bus showing them u have the cards when uare seems like a very V ERY hard task to accomplish.... i mean the nature of aggressiveness seems to be just try to push them out pre-flop, and make somethign on turn and bury 'em.

I can understand being tight but maybe going in on more than just wired pair's but playing them aggressive and then either leaving them on the flop, or playing them aggressive and fold if i get action and i have bad cards, or if i end up getting good cards on the flop burn 'em..

but to mee it seems as though everyone will end up knowing the style after a while, Guess u just gotta know how frequently to switch it all up.?

You have to learn to be conservative first, but being conservative you should be tight aggressive.

As you begin to understand how to play postition, opponents, and stack sizes, your true outs, putting your opponents on - you can add more hands.