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Poker Articles |
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Protecting Your Chip
Stack in Poker
Tournaments |
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One of the easiest
things a player can do
in poker tournaments is
allowing their stack to
dwindle before their
eyes. It usually is a
result of playing poorly
and passively. Seasoned
poker players protect
their stack in
tournament play. This
skill should be a part
of every Texas Holdem
player’s strategy.
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During Texas Holdem
tournament play the
blinds are set
moderately as the
tournament begins and
you can watch as players
will play themselves
right out of the
tournament before
they've gotten
comfortable at a table.
Tournament play requires
endurance and patience.
You have to play to the
finish if you going to
win the big money.
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When tournament action
begins, the blinds will
reflect the level of
play, coincidentally as
play progresses the
competition becomes a
tougher and blind
amounts will increase.
If you want to preserve
your stack, blinds are
the key. Blinds are
what can absolutely
wreck your stack if you
passively play hands or
you lose more trying to
win your posted hand or
hands. Stealing blinds
when appropriate is the
only way you're going to
be able to steadily add
to your chip count and
protect your chip count
when posting the blinds.
If you're hoping to win
a poker tournament,
stealing blinds is a
must! |
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Early on in the
tournament, you can
stick to a
tight-aggressive style
of play as you will
undoubtedly encounter
players of every variety
who will help you
advance in the
tournament even if
you're folding early.
Slow playing on occasion
will help toss some bait
to the fish and will
help add to your chip
count. Remember, holding
a healthy stack during
tournament play will
make you a bigger threat
at the table. As other
players see their stacks
dwindle, they'll be
forced to go all-in on
mediocre hands in hopes
of stealing blinds. For
a player, there is no
worse position to be in
a tournament, you can
only slow the bleeding
for so long. |
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Play tight and
aggressive in the
beginning, be aggressive
when you've got the
opportunity to steal the
blinds and play big on
your strongest hands.
Ultimately, the best way
to protect your chip
stack is by adding to
it. If your stack is
teetering up and down,
you're going to struggle
as the play progresses
and the blinds increase.
You must play to WIN, if
you play “NOT” to lose,
it's going to be an
uphill battle. |
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