TAG (tight-aggressive)

Basic Definition

A TAG, or tight-aggressive player, plays a fairly small number of hands but plays them aggressively, raising and betting rather than calling. It is the most common style recommended for beginners and solid regulars.

Specific Situation

• A player folds most hands preflop. When they enter the pot, they almost always open-raise or 3-bet instead of limping.


• After the flop, they keep betting their strong hands and draws, and give up on weak hands quickly.

Important Information

• "Tight" and "loose" describe how many hands a player plays. "Aggressive" and "passive" describe how they play them. See tight and loose.


• Tracking stats such as VPIP and PFR can show a TAG's profile: both are moderate and close to each other.


• Because a TAG's range is strong, opponents tend to fold. Good TAGs add some bluffs so they aren't too predictable.

Examples of Term Usage

"He's a TAG, so when he 3-bets from early position, I give him credit for a strong hand."