Poker Tournament Tips - For Experienced Players Only

Here are some poker tournament tips (for flop games) that should help your game and results; In the early stages of a tournament plan on being on the table for awhile, you might not get moved at all if it is the “final” table. Get comfortable with your cushions, drinks or whatever you need. I get cold when I play, even on a hot day, so I always bring a jacket so that I can concentrate on the game instead of my teeth chattering. Now pay extra close attention to the players at your table, you’ll be here longer than at any other table. Take it easy when you move your chips, have a hand in other words. Try to steal the blinds if you can once a round. An old saying is if you can get the blinds once every round for the whole tourney, you’ll win the event. Think about it.

In the middle of a tournament you want to pace yourself, this is a long time from about when ¼ of the players are gone to the money tables. Watch the chip stacks and get to know what an average chip stack is, if your stacks lower than that you will have to move some chips, but only if your significantly lower, don’t sweat it if your just a little below average, wait for a hand until you have to pounce on them because you don’t want to just blind off. The most important part of the middle section of a tournament is to make the money. “No kidding!” you say? Some people think that a low cash (winning a small amount, your buy in returned for instance) is bad; it’s all or nothing, baby. These people go broke. If you get your entry fees back you are now in a freeroll for the big score. That is a good place to be. Pace yourself during the middle, watch all stacks and really move those chips if you’re at the 3-6 or 4-8 chip blind levels. Many players are afraid to get involved for such large pots and sit back here; this is the wrong thing to do. This is your chance to accumulate those chips you need to reach the final table in comfort. In fact, it will practically assure you a 5th place finish or better no matter how bad you run once you make the money.

Now you’re in the money and you’re watching the players. Some can play, some got lucky to be here, and because you’re a player you know which is which. The lucky ones are the guys to go after. They will hope that their luck holds up. It seldom does because the wheat has been separated from the chaff. They are now facing a difficult group. People who can play, are lucky today and usually have more experience than they do. This is truly formidable to the luck boxes who make it this far. Respect them but don’t fear them, you have great cards, great position and can play, they will soon be respecting you or they will be going home themselves. If you make the final table I like to mess with them here, I might show a bluff after playing tight all this time. You’ll get paid off on all your real hands now. Some of these guys have been watching you all night and never saw you bluff so here you just blow their minds and they wonder if you have been bluffing them all night. This makes for a really interesting final table. You will have to judge for yourself if this is a good strategy at your particular table. Good luck, I hope this helps.