Poker Tournament Strategy
The strategy used in Texas Holdem poker tournaments differs than that used in a Texas Holdem ring game. Although the
game is the same, the texture differs because there is a definite beginning and ending to a tournament. In a ring game,
you can choose to camp out and wait until you hit pocket aces or kings. In tournament play, you do not have that luxury.
Texas Holdem poker tournaments regularly increase the blinds on predetermined intervals. As the blinds increase, those
blinds may represent a larger percentage of your total chip stack, forcing you to take some action or otherwise eventually lose
your chips to the blinds. Because of this difference, managing your chip stack becomes a much more important factor
to your poker tournament strategy. In a ring game, you can always re-buy. In a tournament, you need your chips to stay
alive.
Because of the need to manage your chip stack with the blinds always increasing, the value of your starting hands and the
way to play them may greatly differ from the beginning to the ending of a poker tournament. A2 offsuit may be mucked early
on in a tournament but later on you may decide to go all-in with that same hand.
This section of our website will discuss tournament specific strategies - both multi-table tournaments (MTT's) and single
player tournaments (Sit & Go's or SnG's). Tournament strategy is another facet to the game of Texas Holdem and there is
much for the ring/cash game player to learn before he/she can become a successful tournament poker player.
Take a look at our list of essays regarding multi-table tournaments (MTT's) and single-table tournaments (STT's aka SnG's aka Sit-n-Go's)
along the right NAV. These tournament strategies were written by our regular members - it is their perspective and advice,
so take what you will from their write-ups, and incorporate pieces of their knowledge and experience into your own playing
style. These members are winning tournament players, so I'm sure you'll get a lot of value from their essays.
Also, if you'd like to discuss tournament strategies, visit our
poker forum! We have discussion forums dedicated to
Multi-Table Tournaments and
Sit-n-Go Tournaments that are very active and
loaded with insights, advice, hand histories, scenarios, etc.
Michael1123, who wrote this
multi-table tournament strategy essay, was kind enough to share with our visitors his experience at the 2005 World Series
of Poker, Main Event. Michael1123 had a great run, making it into the money while knocking out famous veteran poker player Barry
Greenstein along the way! Click here to check out
Michael1123's 2005 WSOP Main Event experience.
Peruse our list of tournament poker strategy essays below, written by a range of talented and accomplished tournament poker players who have generously offered their experience and wisdom to all of us!
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