Playing the Short Stack
Many times in tournament play you are going to find yourself with a short stack. This means that in relation to the blinds you have very few chips. Players will have different stack sizes in mind when they talk about being “short” but in general if you have less than 10 big blinds you are short stacked. A few things to remember when you get short and you will:
-Do not give up, you are still in the tournament you can double up several times and be right back in it.
-However, you cannot afford to wait for premium hands, the blinds will eat you up. You need to pick a spot and make a move.
-Probably your only move is all in. No sense in holding back a few chips, make as strong a stand as possible.
-Try to avoid playing against the big stacks, who might find your stack so small that they will call with any two cards.
-Unless you get lucky and are dealt a monster, you should be first into the pot; don’t be calling all your chips when other players are already playing. You want your bet, if possible, to take down the pot without a challenge.
-This is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #137
