Champions of Poker

If you are going to be a champion poker player, you need to be able to pick the right spots to risk your tournament life and to double up. Let me give you an example of a situation in Tunica, MS that was key to keeping me in a major WSOP Circuit event.

Play was beginning to approach the end of the 300-600 with 25 ante Level in a NL Holdem tournament. I was in late position and looked down to A-9 suited. I had been waiting patiently for a while for a good hand to try and pick up some chips. I had 850 in chips and needed a pot.

I was intent to go all-in here and then something happened to stop me. Three people limped into the pot. With a hand such as A-9 suited, you really want to be the first player into the pot, especially if you are going all-in. The pot was 1,350 pre-flop before any players come in, so if I could have only one caller, this would be a good time to get lucky. However, odds were that I would face at least four, maybe five other players if the small blind came in.

I decided to wait. I folded my hand and the level completed. The next level was 400-800 with a 50 ante. I had 775 after the ante. The first hand, I was dealt A-6 offsuit. However, this time it was folded to me. I moved all-in and the only player that stayed in was the big blind that held 7-5. I was able to win the pot and was up to 2,500 in chips. A few hands later, I was able to double up again to a respectable stack and then was able to move up to over 12,000 in chips by the end of the level.

Granted, I should have never allowed my stack to get that short, but the point of this story is to point out how that making the right decisions can pay off at the poker table in shoving for your tournament life. Sometimes, just blindly shoving can leave you in a situation where it is next to impossible to win. Picking your spots will help you to stay alive and thrive in NL Holdem tournaments.

Hello,

I’m about to play a casino tournament with 60-70 players and with a starting $2000, in chips. Blinds will be 25/50 and actually will move up every after 15 minutes. I don’t know how I would be playing in case. Anything to share?

Another one, I want to ask your thoughts on how I played a certain hand. Blinds were 100/200. I had about $4000 in chips and with AA in late position. I then raised to $600. There was big blind who went all in with short stack, I remember about $300. A certain player then called. Flop came and was K,9,4 rainbow. The other player checked and so I placed a $600 bet. He folded and great as the pot went to me.

Now, although I actually won over the pot, I’m still wondering if I should have checked the flop and bet the turn instead. What’s your opinion? Also, I would always bet out with a drawing flop however with no chances for draws I may have invited a bet on the turn. Or if not maybe he could have seen weakness if I check after the flop.

Thanks and great site!

All the best,
Markie
Markie,

In a tournament with a fast blind structure, you will either want to loosen up your requirements to try and win a lot of pots early, or really push your big hands. If you play tight and do not pick up any big hands by about level 3 or so, you need to loosen up your starting hand requirements.

As far as your hand is concerned, I would have checked the flop and see if he would bet out. If he didn’t, then I would bet the turn. Of course, what you did had value too since you wanted to make the pot with the all-in player heads up.

Either play in this case would be good in my opinion.

Hello,

I joined a certain NL tourney with 19 players at two tables the other day. Earlier part, it was just actually first round of blinds, I was dealt TT in middle position. Everyone else then folded. Three times the BB, I then raised and got two callers. Flop came and brought J98 all spades. I checked on what I have then and saw I have Ts.

Later, BB checked and I followed. A certain guy placed a very big bet, I believe it was about four times the pot. BB then folded and so am I.

Eventually, a guy I don’t know personally won the pot. He mucked his hand and luckily I was able to take a peek. He had Ad then. I wasn’t able to see the other card he had and he even refused to show me. Well, if he had A K or Q of spades, then sorry for me but if it was something else, maybe I could have won.

What do you think of how I’ve played the game? I think I should have called or have pushed all in, but I’m not sure. Any advice or comment perhaps?

Thanks!

Spike
Spike,

You did not have pot odds to make the call. You had probably 14 outs or 56% to win if you were behind to a pair. Your opponent bet four times the pot. You did not have the odds to call.

It was a good fold.

Luckily I won a seat at the upcoming no limit tourney to be held in Regina, Sk. Canada. The buy in I heard is $1000 and I’m glad as it is going to be on TV. But I’m now bothered as I badly want to win the gold. How should I play then?

To make things clearer, there are two stages. In the first stage, to be able to start out, you need $10,000 in chips. The blind time will be 40 mins and the blinds will begin at 25 / 50. Antes I heard will begin at level 9. The tourney will run for three days and every day only 350 players can play. If you belong to the top 10% at the end of a certain day, you can proceed to the next stage. However, if you lose you can re-buy for the next day. Unfortunately, if it happens that you lose the third day, then sorry as you are already out. In the second stage, everyone will be in the money and approximately 105 will be fighting for the first place with a whooping $350,000 prize. About the chips, well if you have many chips left after passing on the first stage, good for you as it will be accumulated at this stage. However, no deals are prohibited and everyone will be playing on and on till one player remains.

Now, what day do you think should I play? And do you have any strategy in mind to share with me? Please, I hope I could use it for stage one and stage two.

Thank you very much for your time.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Benz
Benz,

First, this is an odd tournament structure. As far as which day, it depends on your style of play. If you are very aggressive and can accumulate chips, the last day may work as the most players typically play that day. If you are tighter, I would play the first two days and loosen your starting hand requirements some.

You need to be in the top 35 at the end of the day. As a result, you need to build up chips. This means playing looser than normal and taking a few more risks. Try and build chips by stealing blind, taking advantage of weaker players, and seeing a lot of flops and punishing when you hit the flop well.

If you won your seat for this tournament, then great, go ahead and play. I wouldn’t play it otherwise.

Hello,

I heard once from a certain guy that when you have suited connectors such as 45s and the like, the best thing to do is to limp in with many callers, flop something big or fold. Is this true?

Also, if I were to flop stuff like A23 rainbow, how can I lose eventually? Another thing, when the flush hits and you have a 5-high flush, how can you bet your flush? Well, on my part, with 1-3 players I will bet and then just hope to get rid of any draws. However, with 6-7 players, I am not comfortable with flushes that are low.

Finally, how safe is a 5-high flush against many players? I badly need clarity on this.

Thanks in advance.

Clark
Clark,

Playing low suited connectors are usually a losing proposition. The odds that someone has a higher flush will increase when you play against multiple players. This makes playing suited connectors an overall losing proposition.

If you flop A-2-3 rainbow with a 4-5, the only way you will lose is runner-runner full house or flush. However, this is a near miracle flop and not a valid reason to play 4-5.

Hello,

I want to share with you the way I play. Hope to have some feedbacks from you about it. Thanks in advance.

I usually play tight the first level of the game. I want to create and then establish a tight image. I don’t want to lose chips of course so I always try not to be the underdog.

On the following levels, I will then try to loosen up. Make bluffs here and there and then will go all in after being dealt of AA, KK, Aks, or the like. I love when people don’t have any idea where I’m at and what I’m up to, most especially when they call though with not so good hands.

Honestly, I find the way I play sensible. It worked well. However, there’s one problem and that’s about bringing myself to play K10o when four people are left to act behind me. It’s so hard to do so.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Brent
Brent,

If you can limp in and see a cheap flop, you can play this type of hand on occasion and hope to hit the flop well. If you can’t get in cheap, fold.

Hi,

Before my question, I would like to share something first. Just recently, I hosted an 11 man home tourney. I remember there were some aggressive college students who came and then keenly watched.

Earlier, there were more all ins than usual. Good as I thought I was able to move up slightly. However, I found out afterwards that there was a trouble ahead. I found a little under-dressed, off-suit.

Eventually, I raised three times the big blind. Consequently, table folded around except for one player who pushed all in all the way. The said player was actually the big stack. I believe he was just making fun then with a low pair. Later, I called all in while he flipped pocket sevens. On the flop, he was able to catch his 7 and so I was then busted out.

Now, I’m curious because of some stuff. When facing the big stack, should I consider folding A-K off thinking that I might be in a coin flip situation at some point? Also, do you think I should wait to push a smaller stack all-in in order for me to later on see where I stand considering the cards I have?

Another thing, I believe I am a much better player and so because of this I should have reduced volatility. What’s your thoughts on this?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks and nice site!

Regards,
John Eastwood
John,

A-K against a chip leader is a tricky hand. Some people think it is great, but is really just a glorified drawing hand. I would have folded this hand preflop after the reraise unless I was short stacked. If I was short stacked, then I would have played it. Being all in short for a coin flip is not that bad a situation.

Hello,

Two intriguing hands appeared the other night. The first one came up earlier. Blinds were 5/10 then and with 9s7s I was on the button. On the flop then, there were four players. Flop came and brought K42 all spades. Small blind then placed a 10 bet while big blind raised to 40. Other player called. Later, I folded as I thought one of the players had a flush which was far better.

Second hand followed. At such point, blinds were 25/50 and on heads up. I had 350 left back then and was actually the big blind. My opponent on the other side had approximately 1000. I remember he was an aggressive type, calling everything and going all in pre flop.

For another time he went all in again. I then saw A3 suited. I was looking forward then that my opponent would have KQ or KJ. And though he had a better A, I can still take chances and eventually have a flush, straight, or even a 3.

Will it be a good move to call at such point, if you were me?

Any thoughts about the two hands?

Thanks!

Clint
Clint,

I think you should have folded and waited for a better spot. Since you were big blind, you would have 300 left. Even if you fold the next hand in the small blind, you still have 275, which is still enough to either force people to fold or double up to a reasonable stack for the blind level. I would have waited for a better hand or a better situation. If you are going to go all-in, its better if you are the aggressor.

Hello,

I have actually two questions. But before that I want to share one of my most unforgettable experiences at the table first.

At the table, three of us were left for the pot. Well, I was the short stack however not by a lot. At some point, I saw As Kd and so I raised a not so big yet a not so small amount. Certain player called and then followed by the dealer. Flop came and brought 10c Ah Kh. Then I checked it to him while he opted to go all in. I then called and he showed he had Jh, 10s.

Later, the final two cards were 5h 8h.

The incident actually bothered me for some time though I knew then it was just a plain bad beat. It happened not only once but many times.

I thought it was just actually tough to play against maniacs and I’m still far from being a professional. However, I believe I am a smart player.

I’m thinking now if everything is all because of the way I play hands. I’m usually afraid to slow play and milk a pot. Similarly, I’m afraid to call all ins with great preflop cards. I don’t like playing too tight and skittish however I always get blindsided.

Now, I wanted to ask the following:

1. Do you know any good way how to lessen the maniac effect on me? And do you think I’ll be much better at higher stakes tables?
2. Was everything because of bad luck and for that I just have to continue playing without any trouble?

Thanks in advance!

Rolls
Rolls,

1. Bad beats happen at low and high stakes alike. Remember, when you are a good player, bad beats will happen. It is a part of poker. The key is to not let it affect your play. Continue to make good decisions and the results will even out in the end.
   
2. Exactly. This was just bad luck. Your play was fine. I would be happy if every time I called an all in my opponent had to catch runner runner to beat me. The majority of the time I am going to win. Remember, you will still lose a percentage of the time. That’s just a normal part of the game.

About 6 months ago, I started playing holdem. I was usually into small home games with 6-8 people. Well, I’m glad as I almost had all the games down. Fair enough as in the event I didn’t win, I’m on the top 3 players.

But later on, I decided to try larger tourneys with 25 people. I had problems then and found things to be harder.

In one of the tourneys, starting blinds were 25/50 and was actually increasing every 17 minutes. By the way, there was 1600-2000 worth of chips each player.

I must admit now that I was confused then. I don’t know what to do.

Now, I’m curious if you have any advice on how to best play with a set-up like the one I mentioned. Back then, I don’t know how to deal with the blinds. Well, I’ve made the final table 3 out of the 5 times. Actually, the first two times I had no chips left so I was forced to go all in.

If I remember it right, the last time I was at the final table, I probably was in the middle in terms of chip stacks. Earlier part, short stack players kept going all-in while I was not having any hands. I can’t call bets then. At some point, I was dealt pocket queens and then called. Later on the flop, he caught an A. I thought of doubling up in case I go on then.

Any thoughts or advice? I know your the best person to help me to have some of the stuff get going.

Thanks!

Berner
Berner,

Early on in a larger tournament you need to play a little tighter, but as the blinds start to move up, you need to loosen up your requirements some and also start to steal blinds more. This should help you some. When at the final table and a lot of short stacks are constantly going all-in, you need to find spots either to steal blind, or if the short stacks are not a significant portion of your stack, try and gamble some to knock them out.