On this page, I will refer to the short stack tournament and/or accelerated blind structure (Turbo) tournament. The nature of these tournaments gives the less skilled player a greater chance of winning.
Many poker players will refer to these tournaments as a game of "Bingo". I try to avoid this tournament structure, but they are prevalent.
Most of the poker room tournaments of a lower buy in amount are structured with small starting stacks and accelerated blind structures.
These tournaments are not profitable for two reasons:
If you are playing poker for entertainment, go for it, but if you play poker to make money... avoid these tournaments!
Always determine the administration fee, percentages, and dealer bonuses that the house will deduct from the prize pool and make your decision whether to play or not to play accordingly.
All that being said, these tournaments are abundant. Many novice players have no idea what is deducted from the prize pool and happily pay the entry fees. Therefore, I will give my two cents on strategy for these tournaments.
ABANDON THE SURVIVAL STRATEGY. You will not have time to wait for Aces and Kings. Play solid, but play more aggressive from the beginning. Key: don't make thin calls for large bets.
The early chip accumulation theory is not only a valid theory in these tournaments, but a much better way to give yourself a chance of winning these tournaments. You have to be willing to risk many or all of your chips early with premium hands and hope to win some coin flips.
If you are fortunate enough to build a large chip stack, consider at this point changing gears and staying out of the action with less than premium hands. Allow other players to eliminate each other, advance by attrition, and win with aggressive play of premium hands at the finish when blinds and antes are significant (sometimes these tournaments will not implement antes at any point in the tournament).
My number one strategy in this type of tournament... DON'T PLAY EM.
Many poker players will refer to these tournaments as a game of "Bingo". I try to avoid this tournament structure, but they are prevalent.
Most of the poker room tournaments of a lower buy in amount are structured with small starting stacks and accelerated blind structures.
These tournaments are not profitable for two reasons:
- The tournament structure lessens the importance of skill and gives every player a more equal chance of winning.
- The tournament entry fee is typically small and carries a large administrative fee which is deducted from the total prize pool.
If you are playing poker for entertainment, go for it, but if you play poker to make money... avoid these tournaments!
Always determine the administration fee, percentages, and dealer bonuses that the house will deduct from the prize pool and make your decision whether to play or not to play accordingly.
All that being said, these tournaments are abundant. Many novice players have no idea what is deducted from the prize pool and happily pay the entry fees. Therefore, I will give my two cents on strategy for these tournaments.
ABANDON THE SURVIVAL STRATEGY. You will not have time to wait for Aces and Kings. Play solid, but play more aggressive from the beginning. Key: don't make thin calls for large bets.
The early chip accumulation theory is not only a valid theory in these tournaments, but a much better way to give yourself a chance of winning these tournaments. You have to be willing to risk many or all of your chips early with premium hands and hope to win some coin flips.
If you are fortunate enough to build a large chip stack, consider at this point changing gears and staying out of the action with less than premium hands. Allow other players to eliminate each other, advance by attrition, and win with aggressive play of premium hands at the finish when blinds and antes are significant (sometimes these tournaments will not implement antes at any point in the tournament).
My number one strategy in this type of tournament... DON'T PLAY EM.