"At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box." - Italian Proverb

by Bodog Poker | Jul 22 2010

In a poker tournament, every player is given the same tools to use: a stack of chips and a knowledge of the basic workings of the game.  It is what each of us bring to the table besides those two things that define us as players, as opponents, and even as people.  The profusion of online poker players that view the game’s individual hands as something to go through versus something to go with gives the thoughtful player an opportunity to simultaneously build up their skill set and play a wiser, more rewarding game.

A thoughtful player understands that you should not play too many hands in the early stages of tournaments - give the aggressive players the chance to exchange their bankrolls and strike only when you are holding hands that, when played in your position, stand a strong chance of getting you the pot.  This allows you to avoid the mistake of playing above your bankroll and using the tools you are given to their best opportunity.

The best time to begin a more aggressive approach (outside of the fantastic opportunities that occasionally hit at every level) is when the initial "shakedown" of your opposition takes place and they have lost control of the tools they were issued, when they are bringing small stacks and taking flyers on hands that will lead to nothing.  You must be methodical when you begin pushing back, still keeping a close eye on pot odds and keeping emotion out of your judgments.  

You should be most willing to use the basic tools you are given just before the bubble, as many aggressive players suddenly find themselves struck with indecision when the strong possibility of earning money back for their efforts looms.  They’ll tighten up, desperate to outlast the pack, and that’s when you can force chunks from their bankroll by pushing them out of hands.

Online Poker tournaments

You have to continue using the tools you’re given once you’ve crossed into the bubble.  Take the time to look at how the prize money is distributed and the average size of the stacks you are going against.  If you are fortunate enough to have a larger stack, be more aggressive.  A smaller-stacked player should be more restrained and try to outlast their competition.  If your chip stack can help you go up even just a few levels, you can see significant financial return for your restraint.

Every player in a poker tournament is given an identical set of tools.  Every player in a poker tournament knows how the game is played.  It’s what you do with your knowledge that can make you outperform and outlast the competition.  New players can find that tournaments with smaller entry fees give them the chance to expand their skills and move from being a pawn to a bishop, knight, and maybe one day, a king if they continue to apply themselves.

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