Define a "Good Player"...

[Tickner]

I always hear people claim they make moves vs good players as opposed to bad players. How if you are a good player you wouldn't call on the turn in a given situation, etc etc.

When comparing players, people simply say, "Hes a good player, but X is better".

The term "good player" is thrown around all the time, and the definition of a "good player" is subjective. I'm pretty sure that we as SSNLers think of a good player as being much different than how the good MSNLers define a good player. Obv it DOES depend on the level you are playing, where the "average player" definition "increases", and so must the "good player" definition "increase" as well, but I am talking about in a general sense.

Let's try to analyze what makes a player "good". What do we mean when we say a plyer is "good"?

I'm not looking for answers that include preflop stats. Some nits suck, some nits rock (goofy?). Most LAGs suck, and some LAGs rape.

But what do the last 2 sentances mean? What makes some players kick ass, and some players suck, regardless of preflop stats? What, exactly, do we mean when we say, "a good LAG" (or a "good NIT").

This isn't one of those posts where I know the answer and I'm just trying to get it out of you, I don't. I really just want to know how people classify a player as a good one. (I realize this is broad, and I also realize this post might suck, but I don't know how else to word it).

Plz discuss.

[McBeef]

i consider people who know basic strategy and dont make obvious donk plays good, so they could be a grinding nit but theyre still good compared to the pokerplaying populace

if someone is actually "good" i usually call them a solid thinking player

when people here say someone sucks when referring to a reg they probably jsut mean they arent a thinking player, have very obvious leaks, dont adjust well, or go on tilt or whatever reason

[Warteen]

I suspect it has a lot to do with where a player is at in the "evolution of a poker player" - whether they're assigning ranges to their opponents, if their instincts are good and if they can trust them, etc.

[RainbowBright]

Players that adjust well.

[Unknown Soldier]

post flop skills? i don't get this post.

[4_2_it]

Traits of a 'good player' that are not based upon a player's poker playing skill:

1) Usually plays in games where he is the class of the table or tables where a hudge whale is present
2) Able to adapt to table conditions
3) Knows when to walk away (and when to run)
4) Makes good decisions and doesn't dwell on the outcome of any individual hand
5) Doesn't tilt easily

[Jamougha]

winrate

[Fonkey123]

value betting

[Fonkey123]

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winrate

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edit yeah obv

[Chicago Twister]

Players who understand and execute solid fundamental strategy aren't good in my book -- they just aren't bad. My definition of a good player fluctuates with the kinds of things I havew trouble with at that time. Right now my biggest problem is making mistakes in big pots postflop, and so that's how I define a good player: one who doesn't make mistakes in big pots.

One more thing. This might seem LDO to most people, but if you have this problem it might be an eye-opener. A good player who doesn't actually play well isn't a good player.