How to Win Tournaments

            There isn’t as much of a difference between ring-games and tournament play as people seem to think. The best strategy is to concentrate less on changing your normal play, and think more about the other players. You need to be able to react to many different players and playing styles. Anyone who can do this will thrive in both ring-games and tournaments.

            The biggest mistake when playing tournaments is over-thinking how to play. The most common question players have is, “How many chips should I have after the first two levels?” The easy answer is, as many as you can get. Play your cards and opponents as you usually would, don’t try to force actions because you think you should be so far ahead at whatever stage. You should be thinking more about how to conserve the chips you have, as well as accumulating more. There is no guaranteed number of how many chips will help you win a tournament, just as there is no amount below so many chips of losing a tournament. One chip is enough to either win or lose. Thinking about reaching a certain amount of chips and forgetting what you have will definitely lead to failure.

            Another common misconception is, thinking you should play lots of small hands while the blinds are small and play more tightly as they pick up. Players tend to play way too loose in the start; the best way to win is to take advantage of these players. Attempt to steal the blinds less often, Call more raises and, re-raise more frequently. Likewise, when opponents typically tighten up later on, you should steal more often and be less inclined to get involved in opened pots. Keep in mind; you are changing your play to suit the other players, not a certain stage of a tournament.

            People also want to know why they lose at certain a stage, or if they should tighten up around that time. The problem is that these players are usually tightening up around this time before being where they should be- they are over adjusting to tournament play. Not only is it incorrect to tighten up considerably before you are two or three players from the money, doing so is the surest way to finish on or near the bubble. Play your best, most aggressive game. Try not to let your stack dwindle to a point where you can't protect your hand with a pre-flop all-in raise. If you do, your opponents will be getting the right pot odds to call, even with weak hands. Look for opportunities to make a move before you let this happen, even if it means raising with less than you usually would.

            You should try not to adjust your play until you are one player away from the final table. You should tighten your play slightly however, as the payout structure rewards lasting players. The best thing to do is try and get the player with the smallest stack out quickly. When you reach Heads-Up no more changes are necessary.

             Tournament adjustments should be subtle, it is very rare that you would need to dramatically change anything. When in doubt, just play your best game.

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