Online poker has become a mainstream entertainment pastime since the turn of the century, with its success driven by the extensive television coverage of major tournaments.
Solihull even has a claim to fame where poker is concerned, with John Shipley famously representing the town at several World Series of Poker (WSOP) events.
He banked a $125,000 payout at a WSOP tournament in 2002, and still regularly finishes in the money on the prestigious European circuit.
His efforts have inspired many people from the Midlands to play online poker, further boosting the popularity of the iconic casino game.
If you are poker newbie or are considering jumping on the bandwagon, here are three key tips you can use to boost your chances in online poker tournaments.
Defend Your Big Blind
It is crucial to defend your big blind during tournaments. Imagine the blinds are 200/400 with a 400 big blind ante. A player in a late position raises to 900, and the action folds to you in the big blind.
You need to call 500 chips to compete for a pot that already contains 1,900 chips. This means you need only 20.8 percent equity for a profitable call.
This is a threshold that even weak hands such as 7 of Clubs 2 of Clubs exceed against a standard button range. However, defending your big blinds is not only about raw equity.
You must also realise your equity post-flop, which is more difficult with weak hands. To counter, players must prioritise hands that can be played post-flop, such as suited connectors or small pairs.
While suited connectors J of Hearts T of Hearts are obvious calls, even weaker-suited hands can be profitable when in a late position during tournaments.
You must also be ready to adjust your strategy to focus on hands that perform better in multi-way situations such as suited connectors and high card combinations.
Have a Plan for Future Streets
Before deciding anything, you must have plans for the streets ahead. This forward-thinking approach can help you cut out mistakes and navigate tricky positions.
Let’s say the flop comes J of Clubs 9 of Hearts 5 of Spades while you hold Q of Diamonds Ten of Diamonds. There are two critical questions to ask yourself. Firstly, what happens if the opponent raises?
Your best bet here might be to fold unless the raise is small enough that you don’t mind continuing. You must also realise that this flop favours your opponent’s range, so tread carefully.
The second question you must ask yourself is, what turn cards will I barrel? Thankfully, there is a ready-made formula. Semi-bluff with heart, ace or king turn cards.
You must also value-bet with nine, jack or queen turn cards. Check on bricks. Weak hands such as 9 of Clubs 8 of Clubs won’t fold, so you still have equity to improve on the river.
Meticulously planning the play ensures you are never caught off-guard in the heat of the moment, and you can maintain control of the hand.
Learn How to Play Heads-Up
Online poker tournaments are decided in heads-up play, and players must master this aspect to bank a greater share of the prize pot.
More experienced players use their knowledge of heads-up situations to edge out novices, so make sure you spend time practicing this element of the game.
It is worth practicing low-stakes heads-up. Playing heads-up when the money is small allows you to master strategy rather than focusing on financial risk.
The financial difference between first and second place can be sizeable in tournaments, so it makes little sense to be merely satisfied with a lower payout.
Heads-up poker demands a deep understanding of wide hand ranges, which will also help at other stages of the tournament.
By gaining an understanding in the differences between standard tournament play and heads-up poker, you will enhance your chances of making a consistent profit.
By Michael Cage.
