Guide to NLHE tournament play: fifth edition

[betgo]

This is the long awaited fifth edition of my guide no limit holdem tournament play. As it is approaching book length, I am hoping to get it published. My tentative title is “Play Poker Like the Fish.”

I have a lot of talent as an author. My girlfriend says I should get together with Darrel Benson and write a book.

The earlier editions of this manual have encountered criticism. Some people even thought this manual was a joke. I have added new material on inflection points. I am sure this will receive a lot of criticism, as my material on the gap principle has. While my interpretation of these concepts in different from those of Sklansky and Harrington, I believe that my approach in the one actually applied more in practice.

Everywhere I play, I see people using my plays. However, unlike Doyle Brunson, I have not had to modify my style of play due to letting my secrets out. Like TJ Cloutier, I have been accused of not playing as I recommend.

I understand that David Sklansky is being considered for a Nobel Prize for his contributions to poker theory. I heard Phil Hellmuth on TV saying that his book was the greatest due to its unique feature of assigning animals to types of players (not fish, donkeys, and sharks, but elephants, mice, jackals, lions, and eagles). However, I am sure that my work will be recognized as the greatest classic of poker literature.

For my loyal fans, I have put the new material from the fourth edition in italics. In addition to inflection points, I have added new material on play with large blinds, position, and Party speed tournaments. I have added a new link, additional tips from the pros, and expanded the material on how to play specific hands.

I. Preflop Play

A. The Gap Principle

The gap principle states that you need a bigger hand to raise than to call a raise. In general, you should avoid raising before the flop, but you can limp or call a raise. You can limp with any pair, any two high cards, or any suited or connecting cards. In general, once you have limped in, you can call a raise of any size.

B. Raising

If you must raise, it is generally best to make a miniraise. That way you avoid knocking anyone out of the pot. Since you think you have the best hand, you want as many people in the pot as possible.

Another approach is to open raise from early position for 5-10x BB with KK-99 or AJ-AK. That way you can frequently pick up the pot right there. Plus you can build a big pot and your opponents will feel intimidated that you have such a big hand. Also, if anyone reraises you after such a big raise, you can be pretty sure they have you beat and you can fold.

C. Cold calling raises.

You need a stronger hand to cold call a raise than to call if you have already limped. Generally, you can call with any ace or any two high cards.

C. Allin raises by short stacks

If a short stack raises allin rather than making a normal raise or limping that is an indication that he does not have a strong hand and is just trying to steal the blinds. Therefore, you can call with any hand you would normally limp with.

D. Playing a Big Stack

If you follow the advice in this manual, you will frequently find yourself with a big stack. Now you have a chance at the big money. Don’t blow it! Play cautiously and stay out of trouble.

E. Playing the Short Stack

With a short stack, you want to limp in and see as many flops as possible. Remember, you really don’t have anything until you see a flop. However, if you are raised you can call as usual.

Another approach is to limp or miniraise and then fold if some raises. That way you avoid busting out by running into a big hand.

Sometimes, you do need to make an allin move. It should usually be made from early position for greater intimidation value. When short stacked, it is good to go allin with any ace.

F. What To Do If a Short Stack is Allin

If a short stack is allin in front of you, you should flat call with any of the limping hands discussed above, but you should never raise over the top.

G. If Two or More Players Are Allin

If two or more players are allin before the flop, this is a great opportunity to win a big pot. Generally, you can call with any ace, any two high cards, or any pair.

H. Stealing the Blinds

While we generally don’t advocate raising, sometimes you want to raise to steal the blinds. This is often effective early in the tournament. Generally it is good to make a miniraise to steal the blinds. Good hands to steal with are any ace or king. You can also steal with total junk (after all you are stealing). This will confuse your opponents and get you more action when you really do have a hand. If you steal and are reraised, you should generally push. Don’t let anyone resteal from you. If you get 2 or 3 callers, you should follow up with a big bet on the flop whatever cards hit.

I. Punishing the Limpers

We will cover an advanced strategy known as “punishing the limpers” that is highly respected by some, although we prefer an alternate approach known as “punishing the raisers.” Punishing the limpers assumes that a limper is unlikely to have a strong hand. This approach may work against players who have not read this manual and are not aware of the advantages of limping with strong hands.

Say there are several limpers in the pot. Then you can push with any two cards, since they will probably all fold, and if not you probably have as good a hand as the one you are called with. Another approach can be used later in the tournament when limping is less common. If there is an early position limper and you are short stacked with 8xBB or less in the CO position or later, you can push with any two cards. The limper cannot have a good hand limping this late in the tournament and will probably fold. If not, you probably have the best hand plus pot odds.

J. Trapping

Trapping can be used with any hand AQ, JJ or better from any position. You don’t raise with these hands. You just limp in. Then if someone raises, you reraise. Alternatively, you can smooth call and trap your opponent for more bets on later rounds.

K. Position

Position is a generally overrated concept. If you have a strong hand like two cards ten or higher, what does it matter what seat you are in? You have to be aware how other players think though. Many players regard a raise from early position as representing a stronger hand. Therefore, you should play the opposite and raise more freely from early position, as you will have more chance to win the pot before or after the flop.

L. Facing a Reraise

In general this problem should avoided by limping rather than raising. However, later in the tournament it is common practice to raise, so you will find yourself being reraised. The important thing is never to fold to a reraise. You haven’t seen the flop, so you don’t know if you are beaten. Plus, if someone really had a big hand, he would trap rather than raise to steal the pot.

M. How to Play Late in the Tournament

You see these idiots making all these crazy moves with weak hands late in the tournament which they justify with pot odds folding equity, isolation etc. Just play your regular game and limp, call, or put in standard raises as your hands warrant it.

N. Inflection Point

The inflection point is a time late in the tournament when you need to chance your strategy. Before the inflection point, you should try to see as many flops and possible, limping and calling raises. After the inflection point, you should play very tightly, so as to avoid busting out. By avoiding playing hands, you can move higher in the prize money without doing anything.

O. How to Play When the Blinds Become Very Large

In turbo/speed tournaments and daily live tournaments, the blinds often become very large so that almost everyone just has a small multiple of the big blind. At this point it is important to play very tight and only play premium hands. You can frequently cash or move up in the prize money by just not playing any hands.

II. Playing the Flop

A. Reading Hands

I will give a couple of examples which will make clear how easy it is to read your opponents hands. Say you limp with A9o, someone raises and you call. If the board comes ace high, you can put your opponent on a pair of face cards and go allin. If the board comes nine high, you can put your opponent on a big ace and go allin.

Similarly, if you limp with 77, call a raise, and the flop comes with low cards you can put your opponent on AQ or AK and go allin.

B. Playing Top Pair

You should generally be ready to go allin with top pair.

C. Playing Draws

Like top pair, you can generally call or go allin with any draw.

A more cautious approach is to make the absolute minimum bet, such as one BB. This will discourage other players from betting while you have a chance to make your hand. If you follow the advise of this manual, that will be the same way you play a big hand, so it will be difficult for opponents to raise you.

D. If You Flop a Big Hand

If you flop a big hand, it is generally best to go allin right away.

Another approach with a big hand is to trap with it. That involves making the absolute minimum bets on the flop and turn and then pushing on the river.

E. Calling on the Flop

If someone makes a small bet of ½ the pot on the flop, they probably don’t have anything, so you can call with any hand.

F. Bluffing

Bluffing is best made early in the tournament. If your initial bluff is called, follow up by going allin. You can usually intimidate your opponents into folding.

It is good to bluff when you are not sure if you are ahead. That way, you have two ways to win. Your opponent may fold to your bluff and he may call and it turns out you had the best hand.

G. How to Tell If Your Opponent is Bluffing

If you bet with a strong hand and your opponent raises, you can put him on a bluff and push.

H. When to Fold

Generally, you should fold when you are sure you are beaten. You never want to throw away a winner.

I. When You Don’t Know What Else to Do, Push

This is a more advanced play that follows from the principle of never folding a winning hand. Say you are in a 3-way pot with 54s. The flop comes JT9 with a two of your suit. One player makes a pot sized bet and the other calls. If you call, you are drawing to a flush which may not be good, and you probably face more big bets on the turn, which will make it difficult to call with your draw. Since you cannot fold a hand that might be a winner, you should push. Both opponents will probably fold. If they don’t, maybe you will win with a flush.

III. Playing Specific Hands

A. Playing AQ

AQ has a reputation as a hand you can lose a lot of money with. While if you understand the contents of this manual you will realize that hands like A6 are much more profitable, AQ can also be profitable if played correctly.

The key is to never raise preflop with AQ. If you raise and an ace or queen doesn’t flop, where are you? For example, if there are two limpers in the pot and you have AQ, you should just limp. This can be a very tricky play. Say someone in late position tries to steal the pot from a bunch of limpers by pushing with AT or KQ. Won’t they be surprised when you call with AQ.

An advanced way to play AQ is to open miniraise with it from early position. This is a good compromise between raising and limping.

If you miniraise with AQ and get reraised, you should reraise allin. If someone had a big pair, they would probably smooth call according to the trapping principle outlined in this manual, so you are probably even or ahead, and your opponent may fold to the push.

While it is generally better to limp initially with AQ, if someone raises from early position, you should always reraise allin with AQ. This is a perfect semibluff. Your opponent will probably fold, and if not you are probably at least even. This follows principles of if you don’t know what else to do push.

An unknown player doubled up and almost made it to the final table of the WSOP by making as excellent play of this type, reraising allin 30 x pot with AQo.

If you limp with AQ and someone raises, you should reraise allin. They will probably think you have aces and fold. If not, you have a good chance of winning the hand.

B. Playing AA

If there are several limpers to you with AA or several players have called a raise, you should make a small raise or reraise, not big enough to make anyone fold. Remember, you have a big hand and you want action. If there is one player who has raised, make a very small reraise or flat call to trap him after the flop.

It is OK to bet the flop with AA, but not enough to make anyone fold. If someone else bets, make a small bet or flat call.

The time to make your move with AA is on the turn. You should move allin with AA on the turn no matter what.

Another approach to playing AA, often used in practice and recommended by world champion Tom McEvoy, is to put a large raise or reraise in preflop in an attempt to take down the pot. That way you avoid having your aces busted.

C. Playing Medium Pairs

If there are several limpers to you or several players have called a raise, you should always raise or reraise with medium pairs. A small raise to build the pot is good. You can also make a large raise to try to win the pot or get heads up. These hands play much better heads up. With many players, someone is likely to flop a higher pair.

Later in the tournament, you can open raise with a medium pair. If you are reraised, you should always move in. A reraise is an attempt to steal the pot. At best your opponent has AQ or AK. You want to take the pot with your push or get the money in with the best hand.

After the flop, you can often play medium pairs to the river. You will be surprised how often a medium pair will hold up.

D. Playing a High Card Hand

If you understand the essence of this manual, you will realize that the most profitable hands to play are any two high cards T or higher. These hands were called trouble hands by Doyle Brunson, because of all the trouble they can cause for your opponents.

You should generally limp with these hands and call any raise. If you make a pair, you can play it very aggressively.

Later in the tournament, you can raise with these hands rather than limp. For example, it is good to raise with AT or KQ from early position. If you are reraised, you should flat call. Then if you make a pair, the preflop reraiser will generally automatically bet at the pot. Therefore, you should raise or checkraise, depending on position.

E. Playing Suited Connectors

While you are generally playing for a straight or flush, if you flop a pair you can generally play it aggressively. As mentioned elsewhere, you can generally go allin with any draw.

Aside from suited connectors, similar hands such as T9o, Q5s, 63s, and 42s can generally be played from any position. You want to limp with these hands, but if you are raised you can call.

In fact, you can call any number of preflop raises with a suited connector. Doyle Brunson in "Super System" mentions that suited connectors are great for winning a big pot against a big pair. The best way to do this is to call a preflop allin. The guy with the big pair will be really angry when you take him out this way, but that just shows what a good play it is.

IV. Playing Specific Types of Players

A. Weak/Tight Player

Early in a tournament a player who limps in and then folds to a raise and a reraise when everyone else calls is likely a weak/tight player. If someone folds to a ½ pot bet on the flop when everyone else calls, that is another sign of a weak/tight player.

The best way to deal with a weak/tight player is whenever he raises, reraise allin. The weak/tight player will almost certainly get scared and fold.

B. Maniacs

Maniacs are easy to recognize. The best way to deal with a maniac is to give him a dose of his own medicine. Don’t let him push you around. Make huge bets and raises with nothing.

V. Miscellaneous Topics

A. Adjusting to the Play of a Table

You should generally follow the lead of the other players at the table. For example, you should play tight at a tight table and loose at a loose table. At the beginning of the tournament, you can play very loose, and make and call bets much bigger than the tiny blinds. However, as the bubble approaches, you should tighten up your play considerably.

B. How to Play the Bubble

This is easy. Don’t play any hands during the bubble period. Then you avoid busting out on the bubble and not making the money. If you have a big hand you feel you have to play, miniraise. That way, you can fold if someone reraises.

Another good technique on the bubble is to stall. Take forever to make your moves. That way someone on another table will bust out first.

In a supersatellite, you should approach the bubble completely differently. In this case, there is no money to win, so the important thing is to win the tournament. If you have a big stack in a supersatellite, you should play aggressively. Reraise people allin to use their irrational fear of busting out to pick up the pot. Call pushes to bust people out. See a lot of flops and always be ready to make a move to pick up the pot.

C. Playing a Rebuy

The key to playing a rebuy is gambling to build a big stack. You don’t have to worry about busting out, since you can always rebuy if you do. You should frequently go allin preflop. Eventually, people will realize that you don’t often don’t have much and will call you, giving you a chance to get lucky and build a big stack. You should generally go allin preflop with any ace.

After the flop, you can generally go allin with any pair or draw.

After the rebuy period, you should generally raise, call a raise, or reraise with any of the limping hands discussed in the first section. If you see a flop, you should generally take your opponent allin in stages, regardless of what cards hit. Usually, your opponents will be intimidated by your aggressive play and fold.

D. How to Play a Party Poker Speed Tournament

These play like normal tournaments until about 20% of the field is left. At that point, you should stop playing any hands unless forced to by the blinds. You should also stall, regardless of your stack size. If you are not a short stack, you soon will be with the escalating blinds.

From that point forward, you should play no hands, except when put allin by the blinds. You should also continue to stall once the tournament is hand-for-hand. That way you can slow the whole tournament down. This is great for combating the idiots who tried to accumulate a big stack rather than just dodge the blinds. This way almost everyone will be put allin by the blinds. If you get lucky, and win your twice round confrontation with the other blind and any jerk who plays a big hand, you can make the final table.

VI. Tips From the Pros

The following tips are taken from “No Limit and Pot Limit Holdem” and other books by Cloutier and McEvoy. This book is highly recommended. A writer with no serious poker experience used the advice in this book to double up against TJ himself and take the lead in the WSOP.

You should only reraise preflop with AA or KK.

Say you reraise with AK and get two callers. The flop comes AQQ. You should check/fold. While a good player would fold QQ to a reraise, it is likely someone called with QQ and has quads.

Making a big overbet push from late position with a small pair is a bad play. It is better to put in a standard raise. Then you can fold if you are beaten or outdrawn.

Unsuited connectors are as good as suited connectors. You are likely to lose money by making a flush that is not the nuts.

If you raise with AK and miss the flop you should fold. It is obvious your opponent(s) are ahead of you with small to medium pocket pairs.

If you raise with KK and an ace flops, you should check/fold.

Say you call a raise and flop a set. Your opponent leads out. You should make a big overbet raise to get your opponent to fold, so he won’t be able to catch anything to beat you. The book indicates that in particular this is the proper way to play against TJ.

Don’t try to steal in particular from late position. Late position steals are too predictable.

Avoid draws. You just wind up bleeding chips calling and chasing. Otherwise, you wind up putting all your chips in behind. Don’t play suited connectors. They just lead to draws.

Sometimes you have to go on feel and raise with a weak hand. If you raise with 72o and the flop comes 772, no one will put you on 72 and you can win a big pot.

55 and TT are particularly valuable because they are key cards for straights.


VII. Links

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...78&m_id=87 A world champion reveals the secrets of how he won the WSOP. This article sums up his approach to poker.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...amp;m_id=65551 How to take first place.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...amp;m_id=65551 Cash game advice on playing AA and AK also applies to tournaments.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...amp;m_id=65563 A different approach to playing aces from the one recommended in this manual.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...amp;m_id=65563 How to take out a top professional using techniques from this manual.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker_maga...amp;m_id=65563 Mixing up your play is an important technique in tournament play.

http://www.pocketfives.com/12C4D99D-...253253DB4.aspx Making the right read and laying down a strong hand.

VIII. Recommended Reading

“Poker Tournament Strategy”, Sylvester Suzuki

“Poker Tournament Tips From the Pros”, Shane Smith

“Tournament Poker”, Tom McEvoy

“Pot Limit and No Limit Holdem”, Tom McEvoy and TJ Cloutier

“Super System II”, Doyle Brunson’s section on tournament play

Copyright 2005, Joseph Hammerman.

[CardSharpCook]

I call BS on this. First you tell us the suited connectors are great and can be limped or played for a raise, and then you tell us to avoid playing suited connectors???? Other than that, fine work. I agree with your theory of calling AI bets with suited connectors. I used these plays to win the Stars 350K (back in Feb) and I was driving players bonkers. They just aren't thinking on this level yet. I also like your analysis of str8 blocker hands like 55 and TT. I had never considered that. I wish you would go into greater detail on Position. What other ways can we use our opponents misconception of the value of position against him? One more thing, the link to making great folds was awesome. I'm just not making those big laydowns where I am getting 4:1 on my money while holding an overpair to a three card board. I think it is a flaw in my game.

Kudos,
CSC

[UseThePeenEnd]

standard

I have won about 6 million dollars online following these instructions. +EV

[badluckal]

Posting this is definately -EV for you. You had better hope this doesn't get stickied.

You need a section on value-calls and value-checks - most players don't even know what I am talking about when I bring them up!!!1!

Also, how about a section on BSB play? For instance, if it is folded to you on the button, that means that the pot is yours, and you should raise with any two at all points in the tournament. If either of the blinds reraises, you should go ahead and push, as you already have money in the pot and you don't want to leave your children out there to drown. On the other hand, if you are in the blinds and the button raises when folded to, you should fold almost any hand but AA or KK, as you just don't have pot odds to play anything else against just one opponent.

[tek]

I have copied sections and put my comment below each section. Sections that I have no comment about have not been copied.

I. Preflop Play

C. Allin raises by short stacks

If a short stack raises allin rather than making a normal raise or limping that is an indication that he does not have a strong hand and is just trying to steal the blinds. Therefore, you can call with any hand you would normally limp with.

tek’s comment: He may have read HOH2 and has a low M…

D. Playing a Big Stack

If you follow the advice in this manual, you will frequently find yourself with a big stack. Now you have a chance at the big money. Don’t blow it! Play cautiously and stay out of trouble.

tek’s comment: If you have a great hand, were about to raise anyway and have a big enough stack to give it a shot at knocking out a short-stack, then you need to go for it sometimes (again as per HOH2).

E. Playing the Short Stack

With a short stack, you want to limp in and see as many flops as possible. Remember, you really don’t have anything until you see a flop. However, if you are raised you can call as usual.

Another approach is to limp or miniraise and then fold if some raises. That way you avoid busting out by running into a big hand.

Sometimes, you do need to make an allin move. It should usually be made from early position for greater intimidation value. When short stacked, it is good to go allin with any ace.

tek’s comment: the first and third ideas are best. Idea number two is a chip bleeder.

F. What To Do If a Short Stack is Allin

If a short stack is allin in front of you, you should flat call with any of the limping hands discussed above, but you should never raise over the top.

tek’s comment: Do reraise to isolate the short stack.

G. If Two or More Players Are Allin

If two or more players are allin before the flop, this is a great opportunity to win a big pot. Generally, you can call with any ace, any two high cards, or any pair.

tek’s comment: I’d call with AA or KK, but otherwise fold and let them fight to the death.

I. Punishing the Limpers

We will cover an advanced strategy known as “punishing the limpers” that is highly respected by some, although we prefer an alternate approach known as “punishing the raisers.” Punishing the limpers assumes that a limper is unlikely to have a strong hand. This approach may work against players who have not read this manual and are not aware of the advantages of limping with strong hands.

Say there are several limpers in the pot. Then you can push with any two cards, since they will probably all fold, and if not you probably have as good a hand as the one you are called with. Another approach can be used later in the tournament when limping is less common. If there is an early position limper and you are short stacked with 8xBB or less in the CO position or later, you can push with any two cards. The limper cannot have a good hand limping this late in the tournament and will probably fold. If not, you probably have the best hand plus pot odds.

tek’s comment: You contradict this idea in ‘J’ below…

J. Trapping

Trapping can be used with any hand AQ, JJ or better from any position. You don’t raise with these hands. You just limp in. Then if someone raises, you reraise. Alternatively, you can smooth call and trap your opponent for more bets on later rounds.

K. Position

Position is a generally overrated concept. If you have a strong hand like two cards ten or higher, what does it matter what seat you are in? You have to be aware how other players think though. Many players regard a raise from early position as representing a stronger hand. Therefore, you should play the opposite and raise more freely from early position, as you will have more chance to win the pot before or after the flop.

tek’s comment: Depends on your table image. Raising in EP with junk is just asking for a big LP reraise.

L. Facing a Reraise

In general this problem should avoided by limping rather than raising. However, later in the tournament it is common practice to raise, so you will find yourself being reraised. The important thing is never to fold to a reraise. You haven’t seen the flop, so you don’t know if you are beaten. Plus, if someone really had a big hand, he would trap rather than raise to steal the pot.

tek’s comment: You mean like trapping with AA or KK. Right.

II. Playing the Flop

B. Playing Top Pair

You should generally be ready to go allin with top pair.

tek’s comment: What’s your opinion on kickers?

C. Playing Draws

Like top pair, you can generally call or go allin with any draw.

A more cautious approach is to make the absolute minimum bet, such as one BB. This will discourage other players from betting while you have a chance to make your hand. If you follow the advise of this manual, that will be the same way you play a big hand, so it will be difficult for opponents to raise you.

teks’ comment: You don’t use pot odds at all? How about if you only have 2nd nut or lower?

D. If You Flop a Big Hand

If you flop a big hand, it is generally best to go allin right away.

Another approach with a big hand is to trap with it. That involves making the absolute minimum bets on the flop and turn and then pushing on the river.

tek’s comment: A big hand that can be sucked out on needs to go all in. A nut hand can be slow-played.

E. Calling on the Flop

If someone makes a small bet of ½ the pot on the flop, they probably don’t have anything, so you can call with any hand.

tek’s comment: …or maybe they want to give you pot odds to call their monster…

F. Bluffing

Bluffing is best made early in the tournament. If your initial bluff is called, follow up by going allin. You can usually intimidate your opponents into folding.

It is good to bluff when you are not sure if you are ahead. That way, you have two ways to win. Your opponent may fold to your bluff and he may call and it turns out you had the best hand.

tek’s comment: And then you can be the first one out, get a round of applause and go home.

G. How to Tell If Your Opponent is Bluffing

If you bet with a strong hand and your opponent raises, you can put him on a bluff and push.

tek’s comment: Bluff or AA, KK or QQ…

I. When You Don’t Know What Else to Do, Push

This is a more advanced play that follows from the principle of never folding a winning hand. Say you are in a 3-way pot with 54s. The flop comes JT9 with a two of your suit. One player makes a pot sized bet and the other calls. If you call, you are drawing to a flush which may not be good, and you probably face more big bets on the turn, which will make it difficult to call with your draw. Since you cannot fold a hand that might be a winner, you should push. Both opponents will probably fold. If they don’t, maybe you will win with a flush.

tek’s comment: Falls uner the category of Harrington Squeeze play…

III. Playing Specific Hands

B. Playing AA

Tom McEvoy’s approach to playing AA, often used in practice and recommended by the world champion is to put a large raise or reraise in preflop in an attempt to take down the pot. That way you avoid having your aces busted.

tek’s comment: There ya go. Short and sweet and correct.

D. Playing a High Card Hand

If you understand the essence of this manual, you will realize that the most profitable hands to play are any two high cards T or higher. These hands were called trouble hands by Doyle Brunson, because of all the trouble they can cause for your opponents.

You should generally limp with these hands and call any raise. If you make a pair, you can play it very aggressively.

Later in the tournament, you can raise with these hands rather than limp. For example, it is good to raise with AT or KQ from early position. If you are reraised, you should flat call. Then if you make a pair, the preflop reraiser will generally automatically bet at the pot. Therefore, you should raise or checkraise, depending on position.

tek’s comment: I’d rather go for straights and flushes with suited broadways. Otherwise you are asking for kicker problems with pairs.

E. Playing Suited Connectors

While you are generally playing for a straight or flush, if you flop a pair you can generally play it aggressively. As mentioned elsewhere, you can generally go allin with any draw.

Aside from suited connectors, similar hands such as T9o, Q5s, 63s, and 42s can generally be played from any position. You want to limp with these hands, but if you are raised you can call.

In fact, you can call any number of preflop raises with a suited connector. Doyle Brunson in "Super System" mentions that suited connectors are great for winning a big pot against a big pair. The best way to do this is to call a preflop allin. The guy with the big pair will be really angry when you take him out this way, but that just shows what a good play it is.

tek’s comment: Too general. Are you calling raises from one or two players or five or six? Are you running with a suited connector or a range such as {5,6; 10,J; JQ; QK: and AK}?

IV. Playing Specific Types of Players

A. Weak/Tight Player

Early in a tournament a player who limps in and then folds to a raise and a reraise when everyone else calls is likely a weak/tight player. If someone folds to a ½ pot bet on the flop when everyone else calls, that is another sign of a weak/tight player.

The best way to deal with a weak/tight player is whenever he raises, reraise allin. The weak/tight player will almost certainly get scared and fold.

tek’s comment: What about at other stages of the tournament beside early? Maybe early the w/t is just waiting to trap someone and not bust out? Related to this is reraising a w/t. Great way to play into his trap.

B. Maniacs

Maniacs are easy to recognize. The best way to deal with a maniac is to give him a dose of his own medicine. Don’t let him push you around. Make huge bets and raises with nothing.

tek’s comment: If by “nothing” you mean a better nothing than you put him on, then yes.

V. Miscellaneous Topics

A. Adjusting to the Play of a Table

You should generally follow the lead of the other players at the table. For example, you should play tight at a tight table and loose at a loose table. At the beginning of the tournament, you can play very loose, and make and call bets much bigger than the tiny blinds. However, as the bubble approaches, you should tighten up your play considerably.

tek’s comment: No. You need to be a leader at the table. I would say play a little looser than the tightest player and a little tighter than the loosest.

B. How to Play the Bubble

This is easy. Don’t play any hands during the bubble period. Then you avoid busting out on the bubble and not making the money. If you have a big hand you feel you have to play, miniraise. That way, you can fold if someone reraises.

Another good technique on the bubble is to stall. Take forever to make your moves. That way someone on another table will bust out first.

tek’s comment: If you have a big stack, then yes, coast. As far as stalling, dealers at tournaments with a good TD will call the floor and make you look like a chump if you do this.

[flyingmoose]

You forgot something really important! If someone moves in on you and you have nothing, but you know he has nothing too, you should call. You'll lose the hand, but you'll expose him as a bluffer and he'll feel stupid!

[Komodo]

"H. Stealing the Blinds

While we generally don’t advocate raising, sometimes you want to raise to steal the blinds. This is often effective early in the tournament. Generally it is good to make a miniraise to steal the blinds. Good hands to steal with are any ace or king. You can also steal with total junk (after all you are stealing). This will confuse your opponents and get you more action when you really do have a hand. If you steal and are reraised, you should generally push. Don’t let anyone resteal from you. If you get 2 or 3 callers, you should follow up with a big bet on the flop whatever cards hit. "

Why the f do you want to steal early in the tournament?
If reraised push. LOL! Thats a very good way to get busted early.
If you get 3 callers and bet big with nothing, its a very good chance they have hit something, so it looks more like a kamikaze tactic.

[arcticfox]

Yes, but when you do get called and win, you double your chips, and when you put that through the ICBYTTTIS Model then it shows that its worth the risk.

[zambonidrivr]

how long did you spend typing up this garbage? priceless! i hope this strategy really takes off!!