Nit
The ultra-tight, risk-averse player who only plays premium hands preflop (8-18% VPIP). Folds to 3-bets 80%+ of the time, defends blinds too tight, and is terrified of variance. Easy to exploit with aggressive stealing.
Player Statistics
VPIP
PFR
Limp Frequency
3-Bet %
Cold Call %
Identifying Nit Players
Nits are the easiest villain type to spot—they barely play any hands:
- Folds 80%+ preflop: Only plays JJ+, AQs+, AKo
- Rarely 3-bets: Only 3-bets with QQ+, AK
- Folds to aggression: Give up easily when facing bets
- Nitty mindset: Avoids risk, hates variance, plays "safe"
- Tight image: Other players know they're tight and fold to them
- Value-oriented: When they bet, they always have something strong
🪨 Nit Detection
If someone folds 10+ hands in a row and finally plays a hand, they're a Nit. Watch them fold premium hands like AJo or 99 from early position.
Preflop Tendencies
- Ultra-tight opening range: Opens only 8-15% of hands (JJ+, AQs+, AKo from early; adds TT, AJs, KQs from late)
- Folds to 3-bets 75-85%: Only continues with QQ+, AK
- Rarely cold calls: Either folds or 3-bets—almost never flats a raise
- Never squeezes: In multiway pots (raise + call), Nit always folds unless they have QQ+
- Defends blinds too tight: Folds SB 80%+ and BB 70%+ to steals
- Only 3-bets premiums: 3-bet frequency 2-4% (QQ+, AK only)
- Rarely limps: When they do limp (5-10%), it's to trap with AA/KK
- Folds to 4-bets always: Unless they have AA/KK, folds to 4-bets
- Risk-averse mindset: Avoids variance, hates gambling, plays "safe"
⚠️ Respect Nit Preflop Aggression
When a Nit open-raises, they have a strong hand. When they 3-bet, they have QQ+ or AK. When they 4-bet, they have AA/KK. Don't try to bluff them—they'll fold anyway. Your edge is stealing their blinds.
Preflop Counter-Strategies
Stealing Nit Blinds
- BTN vs Nit in blinds: Open 50-60% of hands (any ace, any pair, any broadway, suited connectors)
- CO vs Nit in blinds: Open 40-50%
- Reasoning: Nit folds SB 80% and BB 70% to steals—print money
3-Betting Nit Opens
- Nit fold-to-3bet: 75-85%
- 3-bet bluff range: Suited connectors (87s-JTs), suited kings (K9s-KJs), suited aces (A5s-AJs)
- 3-bet value range: JJ+, AQ+
- Sizing: 3x-3.5x their raise
- Frequency: 3-bet 20-25% when Nit opens (high bluff frequency since they fold so much)
Responding to Nit Preflop Aggression
- Nit open-raises: Only call with pairs 77-QQ, suited broadway. Fold weak aces, suited connectors.
- Nit 3-bets you: Fold everything except QQ+, AK. They have QQ+ or AK.
- Nit 4-bets you: Fold everything except AA. They have AA/KK.
- Nit cold calls your raise: They have JJ-99, AQ, or AJs—tread carefully
Adjusting Your Opening Ranges
- UTG/MP with Nit in blinds: Open normal range (don't widen—they'll fold anyway)
- CO/BTN with Nit in blinds: Widen significantly (see "Stealing Nit Blinds" above)
- Blinds vs Nit steal: Defend tighter—they're opening strong hands only
💡 Primary Edge: Relentless Aggression
Your profit vs Nits comes from stealing their blinds 80% of the time and 3-bet bluffing their opens. Don't try to outplay them in big pots—they have premiums. Take the easy money.
Preflop Examples
Example #1: Stealing Nit Blinds
Situation: $2/$5, 100bb. Folds to you on BTN. Nit in SB, Fish in BB. You have 7♠6♠.
Your Action: Raise to $15
Result: Nit folds SB 85% of the time. BB Fish calls 45%. You win $7.50 dead money or play heads-up vs Fish.
Why: Nit defends SB with only JJ+, AQ+. Even 76s is profitable as a steal.
Example #2: 3-Bet Bluffing Nit Open
Situation: Nit opens UTG to $15. You're CO with K♠9♠.
Your Action: 3-bet to $50
Result: Nit folds 80% (AJ, KQ, TT, 99). Calls/4-bets 20% (QQ+, AK).
EV: Win $22 immediately 80% of the time. Highly profitable bluff.
Example #3: Folding to Nit 3-Bet
Situation: You open BTN to $15 with A♣J♥. Nit 3-bets from BB to $55.
Your Action: Fold
Why: Nit 3-bets only QQ+, AK. Your AJ is crushed. Don't 4-bet bluff—they'll never fold. Save $55.
Example #4: Defending BB vs Nit Open
Situation: Nit opens MP to $15. You're BB with Q♠9♠.
Your Action: Fold
Why: Nit opens tight range from MP (JJ+, AQ+, AJs). Your Q9s is behind and plays poorly OOP. Defend only with pairs 77+, suited broadway.
Expected Win Rate
Against Nit opponents:
- Heads-up vs Nit: +6-12bb/100 (low-moderate profit)
- Primary edge: Stealing blinds (80%+ fold frequency) and 3-bet bluffing their opens (75%+ fold to 3-bet)
- Variance: Very low (you rarely play big pots—most profit comes from folds)
- Volume: Low (Nits fold 80%+ preflop, so fewer hands played)
Nits aren't high-profit targets, but they're consistent money. Your edge comes 100% from preflop aggression: stealing blinds, 3-bet bluffing, and folding when they show strength.
Common Mistakes
- Paying Nits off: When they show aggression, fold. Don't hero call.
- Not stealing enough: You should be opening 50%+ from BTN vs Nit blinds
- Trying to outplay them: Your edge is preflop aggression, not postflop wizardry
- Underestimating their hand strength: When Nits bet, they have it
💡 Pro Tip
Nits are break-even to slightly losing players. Your job is to steal their blinds and avoid paying them off. Don't waste time battling them—focus on the fish and whales at your table.
