Well i have now been playing poker about 3 years and have finished in profit each of the first three years.So far this january i have won $1300 and made 4 final tables out of 16 multi table tournaments.On this page i will explain my strategy on how ive played in my first three years and hopefully it will help any beginners or anyone struggling in their game at the moment.
A) join a few popular poker websites so you have got a good selection of tournaments to pick from(the poker sites below are my favourites and have a wide range of tourneys,just click on the links to join).
B) i would start by playin a $1 or $2 sit and go or multi table tournaments(no limit holdem).
C) the tournament starts and the only hands i will play in the first three levels are AA,KK,AK or QQ i) playin AA, i will raise the big blind about 10x so i dont get loads of callers,after the flop its all in(no messing about in early stages). when playing AA if someone raises before i may go all in straight away and hope the player calls. ii) playin KK and QQ, again make a big raise between 6 and 10x the big blind if no over cards on the flop,its all in again.any over cards,then check it down or fold to a bet iii) playing AK in the early stages i will make a 4 or 5x the big blind raise,if i hit the Ace or the King its all in. This is aggresive play i know but its worked for me so far.Any other hand i fold,one reason for doing this is it also makes you look like a solid player because your only playing premium hands,that means as the tournament continues you may get away with a bit of stealing with lesser cards.On the odd occasion in the early stages of a tourney i will call pre flop if i have a pair but only if no one raises before me and will only continue to play hand if i hit trips on the flop.
D) As your not going to play too many hands in the early levels make sure you spend the time wisely, watch the game and make notes on the players at your table.You will find by making notes on the other players at your table it will make the game so much easier,you will find many playing styles but if you study the players you will soon realise what players you can bluff or steal from and the players that are best be left alone unless you have premium hands.You will find that if you make it to the first break most of the idiots have knocked themselves out and you will be left with the more predictable players but beware there will still be a few crazy people about but they wont be hard to spot.As the game progresses you will have to play more hands and try to steal a few pots when you havent hit anything.This will come with experience and playing plenty of games and different types of players.
Small chip stack; if you have between 6 and 12 times the big blind,there is no more calling or raising,its all in as you need to double up and fast,try to be patient and get a decent hand or to pick your players to steal from but if your stack ends up about 6x the big blind then you will have to push with any two cards and pray!
Average chip stack; this is approximately 15 to 20x the big blind,you have got a few chips to play with here,so the odd raise to take a pot down or to see a flop isnt a problem,but always beware of how everyone else is playing and who your up against.
Big chip stack or chip leader on your table; if you have at least 25x the big blind,i wont be making messing about here,i will get involved with as many pots as possible but folding to re-raises.im looking to bully anyone and really push my stack as high as i can.if i get caught out i may go tight for a round or two,then as long as my stack allows i will come out attacking again!!!
A few tips to help keep your bankroll
A) never play turbos,waste of money as luck plays a big part especially if your a patient player like myself
B) only play big hands early stages as you dont want to get involved in pots with lunatics and crash out early
C) bad beats do happen,pick yourself up and you will get your luck soon enough
D) if you have a bad run then take a few weeks out,ive done this on a number of occasions and come back and played far better
E) dont go over your bankroll,once its gone study your hand history and see how you could of improved your game
F) 99% of the time if im going to bet pre-flop i will raise,if i get re-raised and ive not got any of the big four hands i will fold.you will be surprised how often in the later stages that a double the big blind raise will take down the pot especially around the pay out.
G) the only time i call a pot will be in late position with a pair,hoping to see a cheap flop and hit trips or on the blinds getting in cheap and hitting a big flop.
H) best time to steal blinds is just before the payouts,everyone tightens up around here but you want to be aggressive! this is where you can really build a ,massive stack from hardly anything.lets be honest you need to generally get to the final table to make a decent profit so you might aswell go for it!
I hope this helps,as ive said this is just a quick summary hoping to help beginners or players struggling with their game.Im not a proffesional player but ive said ive been in profit each year and my game improves with each tournament i play and hopefully if you watch and learn yours will too.any questions or if you want to let me know how your getting on then email me.
Good Luck!!!!
