Every poker player dreams of competing in a major tournament and proving their worth as an up-and-coming pro. Still, most hobbyists will need to put in years of dedicated work before they’re ready to compete with the industry’s top players, hashing out strategies, overcoming bad beats, and figuring out which style of play works best for them.
Eventually, they’ll be ready to enter their first major tournament, which is most likely to happen by playing online from a home office. Today, there are dozens of poker operators in the US—and they’re constantly evolving. Though certain poker brands have carved out a place in the industry, new platforms with unique features are popping up all the time.
For the last few years, Global Poker’s platform has gained popularity with those who play poker online in the US. Aside from a unique gold coin system and a wide range of tournament types, the company also offers poker championships with large player pools.
In fact, the company has over 250,000 registered users in the US, which makes it one of the largest online tournament platforms. This is important for elite players at the top of their game, as a larger pool means tougher competition, greater prizes, and even more glory.
While the internet isn’t short on advice for players looking to perform well in their first big tournament, it’s always best to stick to the advice of pros. Keep reading for tips taken from some of poker’s most prolific stars.
Know the Phases of a Major Tournament
One critical facet to succeeding in a massive online tournament is to understand the phases of the event. Unlike small and medium tournaments, a large event will have thousands of players. As such, the tournament will evolve as more and more competitors drop out.
In the first phase of the tournament, players should start slow. This means they should play conservatively in terms of strategy, keeping in mind that they’re at the start of a marathon rather than a sprint. Consider each hand’s potential, emphasizing max reward for minimal risk.
The second phase includes riding out what some pros call ‘the danger zone’. This is the period when blind counts will affect a player’s tactics, as they’ll want to minimize playing speculative hands. Rely on strong hands to target the game’s pot.
From there comes the bubble stage, which ‘pops’ when most competitors drop out. This typically unleashes plenty of action around the tournament, as remaining players are now willing to exercise tactics in order to win. They’ll need to walk the tightrope between avoiding loose calls and knowing when ‘tight is right’ actually might not be the correct style of play.
Prioritize Seating Arrangement
Another tip that often goes overlooked is the seating arrangement. One of the first elements poker players learn about the game is how their seating position will affect their chances of success. Still, this type of analysis often goes by the wayside when players are hours into a tournament; minds get fatigued, after all.
Players should always base their strategy (in part) on their position at the table—and especially in relation to their stack size. Depending on their position, they’ll need to target weaker players to jump on the defense themselves.
Keep Planning Ahead
Similar to assessing seating arrangements, success in a tournament will also come down to forecasting plays at the table. This means creating a rough plan for the most likely outcomes—at least, within reason. Once again, mental fatigue will limit what many players can accomplish after a tournament’s bubble stage has ended.
However, thinking one step ahead is critical for avoiding tricky spots. The most critical aspect a player will need to handle is what they’ll do if their opponent raises. Another important consideration is which cards a person will ‘barrel’ on, otherwise known as a second bet that comes after a flop. By forecasting where the game might go, a player will keep themselves in an advantageous position.
