How to play a big stack in poker tournaments
A big stack in a tournament is a weapon. Medium and short stacks fear going broke, so you can raise more often, steal blinds and pressure players who can’t afford to call. The key is to attack the right players and avoid big, risky pots against the other big stacks.
Who to attack
Section titled “Who to attack”| Opponent | Why |
|---|---|
| Medium stacks near the bubble | They lose the most by busting, so they fold a lot. See ICM |
| Tight players in the blinds | They give up their blinds easily |
| Short stacks | Only when you’re happy to call their all-in |
Who to avoid
Section titled “Who to avoid”- The second-biggest stack: a big pot can cost you your lead.
- Loose, aggressive players with enough chips to hurt you.
How to use your stack
Section titled “How to use your stack”- Open more hands from late position. See stealing the blinds.
- Call short-stack all-ins wider: losing costs you little, winning removes a player.
- 3-bet medium stacks who open often. See 3-bet.
- Keep pots small with medium hands against other big stacks.
On the bubble
Section titled “On the bubble”The bubble is the best time to use a big stack: many players play scared. Raise often, but don’t call off big chunks of your stack with marginal hands. See bubble play.
Mistakes that waste a chip lead
Section titled “Mistakes that waste a chip lead”- Getting bored and playing too many marginal pots.
- Calling all-ins from other big stacks with medium hands.
- Not adjusting when the blinds go up: a big stack today can be medium in an hour. See M-ratio.
See also short stack strategy and final table strategy.
How should you play a big stack in a tournament?
Section titled “How should you play a big stack in a tournament?”Raise more, steal blinds and pressure medium stacks, while avoiding big pots against other big stacks.
Who should a big stack attack?
Section titled “Who should a big stack attack?”Medium stacks near the bubble and tight players in the blinds.
Should a big stack call short-stack all-ins?
Section titled “Should a big stack call short-stack all-ins?”Wider than usual, because losing costs little and winning eliminates a player.
How do big stacks lose their lead?
Section titled “How do big stacks lose their lead?”By playing too many marginal pots and calling all-ins from other big stacks with medium hands.