Protecting Your Chip Stack in Poker Tournaments

One of the easiest things a player can do in poker tournaments is allowing their stack to dwindle right before their eyes. It generally comes as a result of playing poorly and passively. Along those same lines, it is just as easy for the seasoned poker player to protect their stack in tournament play. This skill should be a part of every player’s Texas Holdem strategy. So, how is this done?

First consider Texas Holdem tournament play; the blinds are set moderately as the tournament begins and quite literally you can observe as many competitors will play themselves out of the tournament before they've even gotten comfortable at a table. Tournament play requires endurance and a world of patience. You can't call it quits and take your earnings when you're bored or frustrated; you're in it to win it - or at the very least, finish in the money.

When tournament action begins, the blinds will reflect the level of play; and coincidentally as play progresses and the competition becomes a bit more stiff, the blind amounts will increase. And if you want to preserve your stack, blinds are the key. If it isn't obvious, 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 yourself. And if you're hoping to win a poker tournament, stealing blinds is a must!

Early 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 on a majority of your hands. Slow playing on occasion will help toss some bait to the fish, and will more than likely help add to your chip count. Just remember that holding a healthy stack during tournament play will make you a bigger threat at the table. As other players see their stack dwindle, they'll have no choice but to go all-in on mediocre hands in hopes of stealing blinds so that they may post when the action comes to them. For a player in this predicament, there is no worse place to be in a tournament; you can only slow the bleeding for so long.

Play tight and aggressive in the beginning, and you'll find yourself folding towards the money. 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 steadily adding to it. if your stack seems more like a roller coaster - up and down, up and down - you're going to struggle as the play progresses and the blinds increase; just as every championship team or player will tell you: If you're playing to WIN, you're in the right mindset; if you're playing NOT to lose, it's going to be an uphill battle all the way.

Published Articles: http://www.gamblingstrategyguide.com/

By: SmackDog

Visit www.smackdogpoker.com for the latest in online poker league news, results and information.

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