A poker tournament unlike a cash game which can run indefinitely begins at a determined time with a player buying a ticket to an event and starting with the same number of chips. Elimination occurs when players lose their chips. A set number of finishers get paid from the winner to the last finishing spot. Typically this can be said to be 10% of all entrants as at the start. In tournaments one can be able to rebuy and cash out whenever they like. Here, blinds are also increased on a pre-determined schedule as opposed to a ring game where players can dictate their own pace of play. Stack sizes also differ with those in a cash game closer to each other than in a tournament.

To be successful in a tournament, one has to be able to play with all stack sizes and this is determined by two variables;the stage of the tournament and the size of your starting stack. Stack size is in comparison to the average stack size and also in relation to the blinds. If you have more chips, it denotes one’s ability to shoulder more risk. It is still important to always remember that the number of chips one has in a tournament is directly proportional to their tournament longevity. They should be protected at all costs while sparing no effort to grow their number.

Tournament stages

Early
A tournament has 3 stages – Early, Middle and Late. In the Early stage, all competitors are on an equal footing and it’s hard to find anyone willing to gamble at this particular stage. All players are comfortable, have experience and also most importantly, chips are plentiful. Players are not willing to play a large pot and those who do either have guts or are trying to build up a bigger stack using aggressive tactics. The standard approach employed is a tight aggressive one and the idea is to make it out of here with average or above average chips for the Middle stage.

Middle
The goal of the Middle Stage is to stay alive and get you in to the money. It starts from being deep stacked at the beginning to short stacked at the end. Chips become more valuable as each round of blinds potentially brings one closer to elimination. It is advisable to take a risk early on rather than keeping a healthy stack then waiting until you have been whittled down. If you take a risk and lose, at least you have other chips to try again with.

Late
The Late stage has many players with very few chips and a few with lots of chips. Gambling is therefore effectively underway as once you’re in the money, you don’t concern yourself with going bust and are aiming for a win all the time. Aggressive play is called for with little or no mistakes. Luck is always part of the game in poker and especially in tournaments, where you need a large slice of it if you’re to emerge triumphant.

Ultimately, becoming a better tournament player depends on the number of tournaments played. The old adage always holds true here. Larger tournaments almost always attract the best players who are mostly professional hence the difficulty in winning these tournaments. Some tournaments have also been known to take place from sunrise to sunset so again players should enter these tournaments based on their availability. If you want the chance to win big money but are not willing to risk a fortune, poker tournaments will be right up your street. Freerolls, tournaments with guaranteed prize pools and other events of good value will be worthy of your attention online.

Want to know more about where to find regular freerolls? Check out our Freeroll section.