During The WSOP, Tournaments Take Front Stage

The World Series of Poker is at Hand

With the World Series of Poker at hand, everyone turns their attention to poker tournaments, with hopes of winning a bracelet, and there are plenty to choose from. At the WSOP, you have the Colossus, Mystery Millions, Gladiator, and, of course, the Main Event, to name a few. There are many daily and multi-day tournaments at the WYNN, Venetian, Nugget, Orleans, Resorts World, and many more.

Unlike cash games, tournaments require a more deliberate approach as they play more like a marathon than a sprint. Regardless of the buy-in, everyone begins with the same starting stack and shares an equal opportunity to advance. Similar to a game of chess, tournament poker requires a working knowledge of the different strategies of the game.

Key Components of Tournament Play

Let’s break down some of the key components of tournament play to better provide some clarity as to what you can expect and do.

The starting levels, when the blinds are low, are the perfect time to observe the players at your table. You’ll try to determine each opponent’s level of play, their betting skills, and overall poker acumen. You will also want to recognize who the more aggressive players are and who are the passive nits. 

Making mental notes of everything they do in order to accumulate info will help you make better decisions as the game continues.

Studying how players respond to bets is one of the most efficient methods for gathering valuable insight. Some players may even take offense to getting raised, taking it personally, like you’re cutting in front of them on the road. Others will fold like a cheap suit. Recognizing deliberate play and decisive actions is always a sign of a better player. You must learn to identify who is who at your table.

This is also the “hunting and gathering” phase, where you need to collect chips to withstand the betting demands as the blinds go up. You’ll always want to keep your stack size at least average or above in chips. The more chips you have, the easier it is to navigate through the ever-increasing blind levels.

Playing in position, betting properly, and being mindful of the action happening in front of you and after you’ve entered a pot are extremely important to your survival. Be wary of overbets and board texture, as they can be telltale signs as to what your opponents might be playing. 

Consider this: there is always someone at the table who has accumulated a lot of chips. Watch their play to determine if their stack size is commensurate with their playing level. Are they calling stations, do they bet excessively, or do they overplay their hands? If so, they may be open to donking their chips off to the first player who challenges them. Observation is key here.

Be mindful that you cannot win the tournament at this level; however, you can lose it.

By level five or six, the blinds have gone up sufficiently, making it ripe for “blind stealing.” Picking off blinds and antes can provide a value all their own. Select specific targets who may not be willing to risk chips to protect their blinds with mediocre holdings.

The next series of levels will determine who will survive and who will fall by the wayside. Hand selection and gamesmanship rise in importance as you near the money bubble, when the play becomes even more challenging.

REMINDER — Patience and good judgment are hallmarks of masterful tournament play.

Finally, you have made it to the endgame, you’re in the money, or maybe even at the final table. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done in making it this far. However, you still have a ways to go. This is where your skill level and good fortune are really tested, as you’re playing hands to either stay alive or knock someone out. Here, you can readily go from hero to goat very quickly. It’s never easy.

One-day tournaments can easily last ten to twelve hours, while multi-day tourneys take more than double that, so be prepared for the grueling grind by being well-rested and equipped with the proper mental outlook.

As you can see from this brief overview, playing in tournaments requires a special mindset along with a multifaceted game plan. Making an effort to keep your “eye on the prize” can be very rewarding, as entering tournaments for a few hundred dollars to win many thousands — or even more — is always a good return on investment.

And what winning does for your ego and poker playing confidence can be priceless.