Powerful Poker Tournament Strategy Tips...

The options for playing in online poker tournaments are endless - and for players who can follow good poker tournament strategy there is strong potential for profit. Tournaments attract a wide range of player types, many of whom are likely (depending on the type of tournament) to be at a lower skill level.

Of course, the principles of basic poker strategy apply to both ring games and tournaments, but there are some fundamental differences in approach that you need to consider. Poker tournament strategy involves understanding these differences, and shows you a way to differentiate the styles of play you need to use to gain a good level of success. Different strategies apply for SNG Sit And Go or MTT Multitable Tournaments.

The first point to consider is that in tournaments it's all about survival. Consequently by playing tight in the early stages you run less risk of being knocked before the tournament really begins. You'll find that in many tournaments there will be players who play recklessly, hoping to build a big stack and gain their edge early on. Ultimately though at some point you will need to take risks. Winning is difficult and rare, and winners have always needed to risk their stack at multiple points in the game.
Luck plays a big part, and that's precisely why you will need to use effective poker tournament strategies throughout.

Aside from the early stages, you'll need to play with the appropriate tournament strategies for the other main stages - mid and late. Both are different again. The mid stage begins when around half the starting competitors have been eliminated. The later stages obviously start when you're into the last few tables.

Secondly, consider the type of tournament. Freerolls, rebuys, and satellites call for different approaches due to either the likely skill level of your opponents or the way they'll play at different stages.

Note also that whereas as ring games can be solitary, in tournaments the outcome of hands which you don't play is more important. There will be numerous occasions where the benefits of a certain opponent either winning a hand or getting eliminated will be useful to your chances.

Listed below are a number of tips which it's worthe following to maximise chances of a long run in any tournaments you play:

Consider the stake/buy-in
Avoid entering where the buy in level may affect your decisions. Too high a buy in and you're running risks of making the wrong decisions on critical bluffing or calling situations, too low and the chances are you'll take risks you don't need to.

In the early stages play tight
The aim is to avoid elimination, and you'll only achieve this by relying on strong starting hands and playing tight on post-flop. There's no hurry to build a big stack in the early stages. Patience here is often a virtue.

The right hands to play early on
Play A-A, K-K, Q-Q, J-J and A-K in early position. Be prepared to fold anything but top two pairs AA and KK if an opponent goes all in. You can raise with 10's, 9's, or 8's in mid to late position. Some other hands you could play in late position include two suited face cards and suited aces down to an eight, though playing these should only be done cheaply.

With big hands, play three times the big blind. Stick to this as a standard raise.

Wait for the mid to later stages for more aggressive play
As the tournament progresses, you will need to become increasingly aggressive while still being cautious and selective. Attention to position is critical, always be aware of where you are before raising. The middle stages can be a good point to try a few blind-stealing bluffs. In the later stages, most of the looser players will have been eliminated, you're facing rising blinds, and it's the right time for stronger winning tactics.

Watch your opponents
Watch the other players to determine how they play. Are they aggressive, semi-aggressive, middle, tight, or solid.

Be careful with bluffing
Tournaments, especially freerolls, can be filled with poor players. Never bluff in the early stages of a STT. The blinds are not worth taking the risk, and you can't allow for how the poorer players will play. Be unpredictable when bluffing. Wait until you've had a strong showdown hand before attempting to bluff.

Create a table impression
This is a valuable poker tournament strategy - if one player builds a big stack early on, there's a chance he'll gradually eliminate the lesser players. By creating the impression that you're a rock, you might avoid any temptation for big stacked opponents to take you on.

Only play when you're in a strong mental state
Tiredness is likely to cause you to make wrong playing decisions. Make sure you're well prepared and rested before play commences. Don't play when you're tired.

Bet consistently and cleverly
Consider limping in from early position with AA or KK against aggressive opponents. Bet consistently with the same amounts to disguise hands.

Mix up your playing styles
Switch play from aggressive to solid and back again.