Playing Consistently Well in MTT's

It's always great to hit a huge score in a poker tournament after finishing really high. Of course, due to the variance in poker, just about anybody can occasionally place high in a tournament and haul in some major cash. However, it's a lot harder to do this on a consistent basis and make long-term profits. And for those who are not consistently placing high in tourneys, it's important to evaluate some of the most important tournament strategy concepts.

The first and most basic thing to realize with MTT strategy is that you need to stick with solid plays, and let the aforementioned variance take care of the rest. This contrasts the approach some players take in that they treat every buy-in like it's their last. Unfortunately, this leads to playing overly-tight and letting the blinds eat away at your stack, rather than playing aggressively and making strong plays when the opportunity arises. Assuming you make a good read on another player and take your chance, don't worry if you bust out trying, or your stack is crippled as a result.

In regards to other general concepts, you need to focus on stack size and position when making moves, instead of only focusing on the cards. For instance, let's say that you have pockets 8's in late position with a big stack, and you're facing a 3X the big blind raise from a super-aggressive short-stacked MP player. Seeing as how you are facing a decent-sized raise with pocket 8's in your hand, you might consider folding in most situations. But since you are the bigger stack against a short-stacked player, and the other player has been extremely aggressive so far, this presents an excellent opportunity to either get the opponent all-in, or force a fold with a re-raise.

In addition to this, paying close attention to the increasing blinds is important towards being consistent in MTT's. In fact, the blinds in relation to your stack is perhaps the most critical element to playing well. When your stack falls below 10 BB's, this is the time where you really need to open up your range and be more aggressive. Along with this, you need to be willing to shove with the hands you play, and avoid limping because the stakes are too high at this point (in case a raise comes). On the other hand, with a stack of 20 BB's or more, you have the ability to sit back and wait for stronger hands/position before getting involved in hands.

One final point worth mentioning is that it takes quite a few MTT's before your reading skills and ability to define opponents' ranges come through. After you've played between 500 and 1,000 MTT's in a general range of limits, you will have a good idea as to whether or not you are a consistent MTT player. Likewise, you'll know if it's a good idea to move up in stakes based on how well you're playing.

View the original article here

Playing Consistently Well in MTT's

It's always great to hit a huge score in a poker tournament after finishing really high. Of course, due to the variance in poker, just about anybody can occasionally place high in a tournament and haul in some major cash. However, it's a lot harder to do this on a consistent basis and make long-term profits. And for those who are not consistently placing high in tourneys, it's important to evaluate some of the most important tournament strategy concepts.

The first and most basic thing to realize with MTT strategy is that you need to stick with solid plays, and let the aforementioned variance take care of the rest. This contrasts the approach some players take in that they treat every buy-in like it's their last. Unfortunately, this leads to playing overly-tight and letting the blinds eat away at your stack, rather than playing aggressively and making strong plays when the opportunity arises. Assuming you make a good read on another player and take your chance, don't worry if you bust out trying, or your stack is crippled as a result.

In regards to other general concepts, you need to focus on stack size and position when making moves, instead of only focusing on the cards. For instance, let's say that you have pockets 8's in late position with a big stack, and you're facing a 3X the big blind raise from a super-aggressive short-stacked MP player. Seeing as how you are facing a decent-sized raise with pocket 8's in your hand, you might consider folding in most situations. But since you are the bigger stack against a short-stacked player, and the other player has been extremely aggressive so far, this presents an excellent opportunity to either get the opponent all-in, or force a fold with a re-raise.

In addition to this, paying close attention to the increasing blinds is important towards being consistent in MTT's. In fact, the blinds in relation to your stack is perhaps the most critical element to playing well. When your stack falls below 10 BB's, this is the time where you really need to open up your range and be more aggressive. Along with this, you need to be willing to shove with the hands you play, and avoid limping because the stakes are too high at this point (in case a raise comes). On the other hand, with a stack of 20 BB's or more, you have the ability to sit back and wait for stronger hands/position before getting involved in hands.

One final point worth mentioning is that it takes quite a few MTT's before your reading skills and ability to define opponents' ranges come through. After you've played between 500 and 1,000 MTT's in a general range of limits, you will have a good idea as to whether or not you are a consistent MTT player. Likewise, you'll know if it's a good idea to move up in stakes based on how well you're playing.

View the original article here

Playing Consistently Well in MTT's

It's always great to hit a huge score in a poker tournament after finishing really high. Of course, due to the variance in poker, just about anybody can occasionally place high in a tournament and haul in some major cash. However, it's a lot harder to do this on a consistent basis and make long-term profits. And for those who are not consistently placing high in tourneys, it's important to evaluate some of the most important tournament strategy concepts.

The first and most basic thing to realize with MTT strategy is that you need to stick with solid plays, and let the aforementioned variance take care of the rest. This contrasts the approach some players take in that they treat every buy-in like it's their last. Unfortunately, this leads to playing overly-tight and letting the blinds eat away at your stack, rather than playing aggressively and making strong plays when the opportunity arises. Assuming you make a good read on another player and take your chance, don't worry if you bust out trying, or your stack is crippled as a result.

In regards to other general concepts, you need to focus on stack size and position when making moves, instead of only focusing on the cards. For instance, let's say that you have pockets 8's in late position with a big stack, and you're facing a 3X the big blind raise from a super-aggressive short-stacked MP player. Seeing as how you are facing a decent-sized raise with pocket 8's in your hand, you might consider folding in most situations. But since you are the bigger stack against a short-stacked player, and the other player has been extremely aggressive so far, this presents an excellent opportunity to either get the opponent all-in, or force a fold with a re-raise.

In addition to this, paying close attention to the increasing blinds is important towards being consistent in MTT's. In fact, the blinds in relation to your stack is perhaps the most critical element to playing well. When your stack falls below 10 BB's, this is the time where you really need to open up your range and be more aggressive. Along with this, you need to be willing to shove with the hands you play, and avoid limping because the stakes are too high at this point (in case a raise comes). On the other hand, with a stack of 20 BB's or more, you have the ability to sit back and wait for stronger hands/position before getting involved in hands.

One final point worth mentioning is that it takes quite a few MTT's before your reading skills and ability to define opponents' ranges come through. After you've played between 500 and 1,000 MTT's in a general range of limits, you will have a good idea as to whether or not you are a consistent MTT player. Likewise, you'll know if it's a good idea to move up in stakes based on how well you're playing.

View the original article here

Things to Remember when Playing Poker

Poker is a sport that is not only unique in the universe of table games, but is unique to the casino culture as well. With that in mind, there are a few things you should remember when entering a casino and sitting down to play Texas Hold’em, Omaha poker, or any other variation of the game.
1.First of all, when playing poker the house is cut completely out of the competitive mix. Unlike Blackjack and other table game, the odds are not skewed in favor of the house and your only worry is the rest of the opponents at the table. While this may not give a poker player a competitive advantage, it does give gambling enthusiasts a reason to give up other games in favor of poker.
2.At many casinos the drinks are free to poker players (and everyone else). Alcohol dulls the senses and can have a negative impact on your game. Players should avoid making drinking an integral part of their game. Just because a waitress is willing to fetch you a drink, it doesn’t mean you have to take it.
3.Playing poker in a casino is much different than playing online poker. One of the biggest differences is the lack of turnover at the tables. This means they group you start playing with will be largely intact several hours later. Players in a casino are going to have to learn to change their game up within a long session. If not, your opponents will figure you out.
4.Finally, online players are used to a hyper-aggressive environment. This is not the style that dominates most casino poker tables. Aggressive play may bring short term success, but those who do not tighten up will wind up giving away all their chips.
Those are just a few poker tips to remember when entering a casino to play some Texas Hold’em.