Poker tournaments require a slightly different approach to standard games. They involve developing a strategy for longevity. In this article, we discuss the top tips from professional players.
Are you entering your first poker tournament? This type of play needs a unique approach that involves a long-term view of the table, the players around it, and your stack. Read on as we discuss the winning strategies for online poker tournaments and the top tips from professional players.
Start Conservatively
Daniel Negreanu is one of the most successful modern poker players. The Canadian has won seven World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour Championships.
One piece of advice he has given in his masterclass is to start with a very conservative game. The early stages of a tournament are focused on survival with the aim being to stay in the game, not accumulate value.
Thus, increasing bets, particularly doubling your stack, is not as powerful a move during these early bouts. It may be considered if the other players are being very conservative, as a way of stealing chips. However, once more you should look to weaken them and get them off the table, as opposed to having value as your main objective.
Essentially, in the early stages, you can’t win the game. But you can lose all your chips and get knocked out. Once you are past this and the table begins to thin on players or the stacks are less even, you can start to consider winning.
Learn Zoning
This is a technique used by Dan Harrington, the poker author and player. It involves changing tactics based on zones, each of which is related to the chips you have in your stack. The ratio of your stack to the blinds and ante is given as the character M.
The green zone is where you play aggressively and tight. Your figure of M is greater than the sum of the blinds and ante by at least 20 times. This is the strongest position you can be in with a full stack on your side.
Yellow is where you play aggressively and use bluffing. It will require a figure of M that exceeds the sum of the blinds and ante by 10 to 20 times.
Orange is when the stack is smaller, so you should avoid bluffing as your pot does not allow it. You need to aim to double your stack and you should play only on big hands. This is where the stack should exceed the sum of blinds and ante by 6 to 10 times.
Red is where the player is on the back foot, and has no choice but to go all in on a good hand. The sum of M exceeds the blinds and ante by 1 to 5 times.
Dead is where the value of M is less than the sum of the blinds and ante. You have to go all in with anything you have.
Zoning can be tricky to get used to, especially as a new player still learning the table. This is where playing at the largest US poker sites is helpful. Due to their matched deposits, you can try tactics such as this without dipping too far into your bankroll. When you get comfortable, you can consider using your own funds. Many also have VIP schemes where you can get invited to the biggest tournaments if and when the time is right.
Tips for the Final Table
The final table is the most exciting part of the tournament. Yet it can also be the hardest. Mental fatigue can begin to set in and the temptation is to self-preserve with tight play. However, there are a few tips that can help you cross the finish line.
Most of this comes from having the strength to be aggressive. Players will try to hold onto their chips for fear of being knocked out, especially in beginners’ tournaments. This means you can afford to be aggressive. If a player is constantly folding, then put pressure on them to raise whenever the chance comes along.
If you have a deep stack, then open up your game. Carry on stealing blinds and putting pressure on people. It should be easy to spot the type of players you are against at this point. If players have a short stack, they are that way for a reason. They will have had a big bet go south, or they will have been playing too tight.
Essentially, a good strategy means adapting to the different stages of the game. Aim for survival in the first part of the game, then go more aggressive towards the end. If you use the zoning technique, you can also change your strategy depending on your pot, or use it to see where others are making mistakes. By being aggressive at the end and identifying key players, you can bully opponents out of the game and hopefully claim your place as the tournament winner.
