Texas hold'em NL (No limit) tournaments

Almost every online poker site offers the possibility to play tournaments. There are both single- and multitable tournaments. This article describes single table tournament strategies.

For no-limit Texas hold'tem MULTI-TABLE tournament strategy, go here...

A typical tournament has 10 players at the table and each player gets the same amount of starting chips.

The goal is to get all the chips from the other players at the table.

When a player runs out of chips, he is removed from the table.

Usually, there are 3 players who last the longest win the money. Normally, 1st place gives 50 % of the total pot, 2nd place 30% and 3rd place 20% but this differs from the different poker rooms and, of course, depends on the number of starting players.

Now... some strategy:

Tournament strategy

* In the beginning of the tournament, play very tight. Only play very good starting hands. There are always loose players who want some action on the first hands, and with 10 players at the table, you will meet unexpected good hand combinations so you won't be able to trust your poker skills enough. Even if you are on the small blind, don't bother to call unless you have a decent hand. This, of course, depends on how many other players at the table have called, but in general, play very tight.

* However, IF you are lucky enough to hit AA or KK, do NOT slow play them. Play them aggressively! If you are in early position, raise a couple of hundred. If you are in late position and your opponents have raised, re-raise them with all-in. Hopefully this will eliminate some of them and you want to face as few, but at least 1 opponent as possible. This is to avoid getting beaten by a two-pair or similar.

* Some players will probably leave the tournament early because of over trusting their hands, and going all-in. Wait until these players are finished with their aggression, unless you have a very good hand. IF you do, play it to get the most chips out of it. Don't over bet it and scare away players from the pot. Let the commit to the pot first, and make your big move on the river. It can be very rewarding to slow-play the aggressive players. You know who is aggressive by taking notes on your opponents during play.!,

* Avoid to call an all-in situation just because you got a decent hand. For example, you have 10,J suited and are in last position. If someone before you has gone all-in and has a significant stack, do not follow him. Just lay your hand down. If your opponent just has one card with higher rank, he will beat you unless you hit something. Same thing goes for if you get re-raised with an all-in.

* Play some occasional hands with weak hands if you have not played in some time. This is to not let other players think you are too tight. If you're lucky, you will still get a good flop.

* Watch out for going all-in on an average hand. Do NOT go all-in on one pair only. If you "must", at least make sure to have a great kicker (not a good, but a great).

* If you play tight, the other (awake) players will note you as a tight player. This can be useful when there are fewer people left in the tournament. Here is when you change your tactics.

* When there are fewer players left, play more hands. Now you can play your average hands and begin to bluff occasionally. Use the power of you position at the table, use the weaknesses you noted on your opponents and play more aggressively.

* Never go all-in on connectors like AK or so. Even if you are facing low pair like a 22 you are the odds underdog. Only go or follow an all-in with a pair, the higher the better.

* Now, if you make it to the final 5-4 players, adapt the play to the size of your chip stack. If you are the chip-leader at the table, play it safe. Play it VERY safe. Why risk the 1-3 position by losing an unnecessary hand? Just ride it out. If you are the low-stack among the five, the blinds will soon get you out. Wait for the right moment and go all-in, you have nothing to lose. Go all-in on any A + other card if you think you can make it. Go all-in on any pair. Hopefully you will get only 1 opponent and will be favourite in most cases.

* If you are up 1v1, read the 1v1 guide at 1v1 hold'em. This could be the difference between you going + or - on your poker.

The above is some strategy that has proven to be profitable. Of course, sometimes you lose and sometimes you win, that's poker. But as you get more experienced you will know how to play and adapt your play to different situations.

Making the Huge Bluff Late In a Tournament

Poker fans have seen it repeatedly on television. A player deep in a high stakes tournament pushes a huge stack of chips into the middle holding absolutely nothing.

Sometimes he gets his opponent to lay down a big hand, impressing the audience with his poker skill. Other times he runs into a monster and the opponent snap calls, crippling or eliminating the daring aggressor. When is it right to make that huge bluff late in a tournament?

When to Bluff Late in a Tournament

If you’re deep into a tournament, you probably want to go all the way or at least climb into one of the top spots for the big money. You don’t want to spew off all your chips in an ill-conceived bluff.

This fact can work in your favor, however. Players know their opponents are unlikely to take big risks if they are close to big money, so bluffs are more likely to be successful if made at the right time. Also remember that a bluff is far less likely to succeed in a cheep or a free Texas holdem tournament – your opponent has little or nothing to lose.

The Bubble

The bubble, a time during which only one or two players need to be eliminated before everyone makes money, is the ideal opportunity to make a big bluff. If you are a medium stack and you move in, opponents will have to put you on a big hand. If you are a big stack, opponents who you have covered will be highly motivated to fold rather than risk getting knocked out after several hours with nothing.

Only on a short stack should you be resistant to bluff. Players are looking to knock you out to get to that money position.

Late Position

If everyone folds around to you and you are in one of the late positions, it is often a good time to put in a big bluff. Players may suspect that you are making a move, but you only have a few players to convince and they will need a strong hand to look you up if the big money is approaching. If everyone folds, you can often win a very nice pot due to the size of the blinds and antes.

Other Times

Go with your instincts. If you think your opponents are nervous, put them to the test. As long as there is reasoning behind your bluff, don’t be afraid to make that move.