Multi-Table Texas Holdem Poker
Tournament
Strategy
Multi-table Texas Holdem Poker tournaments can consist of a dozen
tables to hundreds of tables. Multi-table tournaments can take
several hours to complete. The big ones like the WSOP can take
several days.
When
I play in a multi-table Holdem Poker tournament I start out playing
very tight. I will play only the best starting hands and will use
my position at the table to my advantage. I typically do not go all
in during the beginning stages. I would have to have an unbeatable
hand to do so.
I
like to stick to AA, KK, QQ and AK.
One
of my best weapons in a multi-table tournament is televised poker!
That’s because televised poker tournaments have given many a warped
view of how poker is played. On TV you will see lots of bluffs and
all-ins.
I
like to let those players with the warped sense of how Texas Holdem
is played knock each other out. I’ll continue playing tight and
taking an occasional pot. This will serve first to protect my chip
stack and then ultimately add to it.
As
the tournament progresses, I will loosen up my game slightly. At
this point, my opponents that have been playing with me know that
when I am in a hand that I have something. They will learn to fear
my raises and this will help to get some players to fold. I will
not play too many hands and I will not play junk hands.
The
key though is that I will still be playing solid hands. I will look
to add AQ, JJ, AJ and 10-10 to my list of playable hands. When I am
dealt one of these additional hands the decision to play them or not
will depend upon my position at the table. If I am in early
position I will probably fold. In middle position I will play AQ
and JJ. In late position I will add AJ and 10-10. BUT it will
depend on whether the pot has been raised or not and how many
times. I will assess the strength of my opponents’ hands before
committing to play the additional hands or not.
I
will read my opponents and see what types of hands they play, what
they raise with, call etc… Many of the players in the tournament
will still be overly aggressive and play too many hands and try to
go all in every chance they get.
If
you have played in a multi table tournament before, you will be
familiar with the player that keeps going all in every chance they
get and inevitably they get knocked out of the tournament.
Once
I have progressed to where I am "In the money", I will keep playing
just as I have been. When the opportunity arises, I will look to
steal the blinds and add to my chip stack. At this stage many
players seem to tighten up. Picking up blinds and adding to my
stack will allow me to boss the other players around at the table.
Once
at the final table using your position to your advantage is
crucial. I play solid starting hands but also loosen up a bit and I
add additional starting hands to my game. I make sure that I don’t
play to many hands though. As the field thins out the value of
starting hands go up. The blinds are big; I pick them up when I
can.
I
have now put myself in perfect position to win the tournament.
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