|
Most poker tournaments follow a common set of rules and procedures, although there are many variations in how various poker tournaments are run. Most forms of tournament poker are run according to the following procedures:
- All players enter for the same amount of money, also known as the buy-in
- The poker room or casino usually requires all players to pay an entry fee (for example, an additional $10 on the $100 buy-in)
- The total prize pool is usually equal to the buy-in amount times the number of players (for example, if the buy-in is $500 per player and there are 100 players, then the total prize pool is $50,000)
- The payout structure usually means that the top 10% win money (for example, in a 100 person tournament, the final 10 players win money ranging from 30% of the pool to the winner and then 20%, 13%, 10%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3% and 2% for the rest of the top 10)
- All players start with the same amount of chips
- As the tournament progresses, the stakes (blinds and/or antes) increase every 15-60 minutes
- Most tables start out with 8-10 players
- When players lose all their money, they are eliminated and are not allowed to return to the tournament; players are moved to other tables to even them out
- The last player remaining with all the chips is declared the winner
The gap concept (introduced by poker writer David Sklansky) is unique to tournament poker. Basically, the gap is the difference between the hand you need to call an opening bet with and the hand you need to open with. You usually need a better hand than what you would have opened with when you play against someone who has already opened the betting. The size of the gap depends on your opponents playing style. There is an inverse relationship a tighter player creates a bigger gap, while a looser player leads to a smaller gap.
Basically, this means that you would raise when you are first in with certain hands that you would throw away instead of calling someone elses raise. For example, if you had a small pair or Ace/King with a small kicker, and no one has gone in before you, it would be a good strategy to raise the pot and try to steal the blinds. However, watch out for an aggressive player who is in the blind, as he will probably call or raise your bet.
Strategy is often determined by stack size. With a smaller stack, the gap decreases, so you should avoid risking your chips to steal pots with weaker hands. However, players with larger stacks may be less inclined to call or re-raise you because they may think that you have a good hand because you raised. Then again, a player with a very large stack may take the risk of calling your raise because they may feel that the risk is minimal. This just means that you should know your opponents before risking your small stack.
Playing with a mid-sized stack can put you in an awkward position. You want to grow your stack while avoiding losing chips to become a small stack. A mid-sized stack may be targeted by larger stacks that want to knock off players as well as small stacks who see less risk in challenging your stack. Avoid showdowns with larger stacks unless you have confidence in your cards and the ability to read your opponent. Play more pots when smaller stacks are involved.
Having a large stack means that you have the advantage over other players. The gap is larger and you can afford to take bigger risks. You can be aggressive and raise before the flop to steal blinds. You can intimidate other players with re-raises that force them to go all-in with weaker hands. You can play hands against small stacks that you would not have played otherwise, and perhaps catch cards on the turn or river. However, other players will know that you are playing aggressive and may trap you with winning hands in order to double up.
Good poker players adjust their style of play during different stages of the poker tournament. You cannot play the same way throughout, as players get better as the tournament progresses and there are changes in chip values.
Early stage
- Amount of chips are high compared to the stakes
- Wait for good hands before getting too committed into pots
- Be patient and trap the weaker players with weaker hands
- Avoid big gambles that may cause you to lose all your chips
- Watch the other players carefully, as you may learn about their styles and use this information if they are still around during later stages
Middle stage
- Do not sit back and wait for great hands; blinds and antes will eat away at your stack
- Open up your game and go after pots when you see openings
- Become more aggressive and take more risks
- Change your style to adapt to the play of your opponents; follow the caveat In a loose game play tight, and in a tight game play loose
- Identify the bluffers and callers to take advantage of situations
- The goal is to get a big stack before hitting the late stages
Late stage
- If you are playing with a mid-sized or large stack, then you should take the advantage by stealing pots and playing aggressively some players are still playing tight to protect their stacks
- Be aggressive as opposed to reacting to other players aggressive tactics
- Avoid showdowns with other players who have large stacks, but take on small stacks whenever possible
- If you are small stacked, make smart moves quickly before getting taken out by the blinds and/or antes; you may have to take the risk of going broke if you want to win the tournament
- If you have a great hand on a short stack, do what you can to encourage others to bet so that you can double or triple up
Final table
- Although everyone wants to win the poker tournament, the goal should be to finish in the top three positions, where the big money is won
- Similar to late stages, when playing with a mid-sized or large stack, pick on the smaller stacks whenever possible and avoid confrontations with large stacks
- When playing with a small stack, pick your spots and be aggressive, but do not wait for the perfect hand because the blinds and antes will wipe you out quickly
- Calling is a good strategy when you have a great hand, as it may encourage others to raise and increase the pot in your favor
- Waiting until your stack is too small will mean nothing when you double up because you will still have a small stack
- As players get eliminated, start playing more aggressively, especially if you were playing tight before, as the other players will back off out of respect
- Pay close attention to your table image, and watch how other players are playing; this is where your knowledge of other players styles really pays off
- If you notice that other players are playing tight in order to outlast each other, play aggressively to steal the blinds
There are three main types of tournament poker:
Check out Tournament Variants for the other types and variations of tournament poker, and make sure that you read up on One-on-One Poker. You can also join in on an online poker tournament right now.
|
