Poker Tips from Bodog.com: Game Texture One thing to pay close attention to pre-flop is the game texture of your table. How many players are usually seeing a flop? Is your table tight or loose, passive or aggressive? These are all things you should know the answer to after a few minutes at the table. Game texture can also change as players come and go and as players become impatient and want action. Game texture is another thing you should observe pre-flop while everyone else is second guessing their starting hands. A game is classified as tight when 3-5 players see a flop and loose when 6-8 players see a flop. In loose games drawing hands become much more valuable, because you will be paid of nicely when you make your hand. You can afford to limp in with the crowd pre-flop. High-card hands play better in a tight game where fewer opponents can suck out on you and your top pair with a high kicker or two pair will often win the pot. I was playing in a low limit game at the MGM Grand poker room when a massage therapist walked up to the table and offered a free massage to the winner of the next hand as a promotion. I was dealt pocket kings in middle position and knew I was in for a long hand when every player at the table called in hopes of scoring a free message when I raised the pot pre-flop. To make a long story short I proceeded to bet and raise on every street only to be sucked out on by J-2 off-suit when my opponent spiked a 2 on the river. To add insult to injury I had to watch the guy who beat me get a free massage after the hand that I was a 90 percent favorite to win before the river. This example just goes to show how game texture can diminish the strongest of hands pre-flop.