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Expert Plays for No Limit Tournaments
PokerStars Intellipoker selects the author's first poker book
for international distribution on their website*
Poker How To...
101 Tournament Poker Strategies
13. Win a Big Pot From the Big Blind
There are many tournament poker strategies. One key element in making the right play is knowing when you can steal the pot pre-flop when your opponent show weakness. It is always a winning tournament poker strategy to play strong when you are absolutely certain your opponents are weak.
Here is a winning play when you are in the big blind and there are
multiple callers.
In the middle or late stages of a tournament, multiple players limp
into the pot. You are in the big blind. With so many callers, it gives
you, as the player in the big blind, an opportunity to steal a big
pot.
The player who is most likely to be slow playing a monster is the
first limper. Why? A common play is to limp under-the-gun with pocket Aces. Usually, if you move all-in and get past this first player, the other opponents will fold.
Example:
You have J-8 suited of spades in the big blind. It is the middle
stages of the tournament. You have $6,000, and the blinds are
$150-$300. A middle position player, with $10,000, limps for $300, as
well as two other players and the small blind. There is $1,650 in the
pot. What should you do?
It appears to be a good opportunity to increase your stack over 20%.
If you move all-in for $6,000, you should take down the pot.
You move all-in. The first player immediately calls. Everyone else
mucks. He shows pocket Aces! You've been trapped. Bummer.
The flop comes J-4-2 rainbow. The turn is a 9. And, the river is an 8!
You get lucky and make two pair. That's poker, baby! You gotta get lucky to win.
14. How to win with a Min-Raise
When you reach the middle of the tournament, you want to win the
blinds without a struggle. Picking up the blinds is key in
accumulating chips. The min-raise, which is a raise of two times the
big blind, is a move that can win the blinds uncontested.
Example:
You have Q-10 unsuited. You have $22,000, and the blinds are
$400-$800. Everyone folds to you. You are in a middle position. What
should you do?
If you call, you invite other players into the hand, and at the very
least, you will see a flop. Also, if someone raises after you limp,
you will have to seriously consider folding. A raise of three times
the big blind will risk over 10% of your stack on a mediocre hand.
With the min-raise, you are hoping that the $1,600 bet will get
everyone to think twice about entering the pot. Opponents may put you on a small pair, an Ace-x hand, or a premium starting hand.
The other advantage of the min-raise is that it is an excellent
defensive bet. A player, who would raise if he was first in the pot,
may play it safe and just call.
Do not make this move after a player has already called the big blind.
A min-raise is not going to get this player to fold.
Also, do not make this move from the big blind after there are a few
callers. The worst play in no-limit poker may be when the big blind
opens up another round of betting with a min-raise. Even if the big
blind has pocket Aces, a min-raise from this position will not get
players to fold.
"Best poker book released this year!!!"
"Unbelievably awesome."
"Outstanding!"
"One of the top
poker strategy books."
"Superb!"
"Full of sound advice and a lot of fun to read."
-see full reviews on amazon.com
About the Author
Mitchell is a successful
poker author,
coach, & player.
He is a strategist
to business including
Procter & Gamble
and Hewlett-Packard.
PokerStars Intellipoker selected his first book
for international distribution to educate players worldwide.
New!
Play to win. Not to bubble.
Amazon's #1
Best Seller in it's Category
"Best poker book released this year!!!"
"Unbelievably awesome."
"Outstanding!"
"One of the top
poker strategy books."
"Superb!"
"Full of sound advice and a lot of fun to read."
Attention: Tournament Poker Players
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