Most players are aware of the significant
advantages that come with having a big stack
in a tournament. When a player has chips, he
can attack and pick up pots by forcing those
around him into a corner where they have to
make tough decisions. Those who have short
stacks are always vulnerable to attack by
those who have managed to accumulate lots of
chips.
Why can the big stacks be more
aggressive? The answer may surprise you. In
tournaments, the more chips you have the
less each individual chip is worth, making
it easier for the big stacks to throw more
into each pot. It's a strange concept, but
one you should understand. To illustrate the
point, say that you have 100,000 in
tournament chips, and you lose 20,000 in a
pot. You're not going to be happy about the
loss, but that setback is not nearly as
devastating as losing 15,000 from a 30,000
stack.
When you have a lot of chips that aren't
worth much, you can be a lot freer to use
them. You can go after blinds and antes
without premium cards, or you can enter into
race situations. If some hands don't work
out, that's OK, because you weren't risking
much to begin with.
The benefits of having deep stacks are
significant enough that I'm willing to take
some risks early in a tournament that give
me the chance to build up my chips. When I'm
playing in position, I'm likely to call
raises with hands that I wouldn't play in a
ring game or late in a tournament - hands
like Q-9 suited or K-T suited. In a ring
game, with these sorts of hands I'd be
worried about being dominated and getting
myself in serious trouble if I flop top
pair. But early in a tournament, I can call
with the hope of hitting the flop pretty
hard. I'm looking for two-pair, trips, or
some kind of big draw. When I flop a draw,
I'll have the opportunity to semi-bluff; if
I hit two pair, I might take a lot of chips
from an opponent who can't get away from top
pair.
Also, keep in mind that there are likely
to be a higher proportion of weak players
early in a tournament. You want to get as
many chips from these players as you can
before they bust.
Playing more hands early in a tournament
does expose me to greater risks, but I'm
fine with that. I'd rather gamble early and
bust than cling to a short stack for hours
on end. When I'm short-stacked, I know that
one bad beat or one lost race will have me
on the rail. I'd rather take some chances
and try to accumulate a stack that can stand
up to a little adversity.
So, in your next tournament, look for
situations in early levels that give you a
chance to acquire a big stack. You may bust,
but if things work out, you'll give yourself
a far better shot at surviving deep into the
tournament and having a big payday.
David Grey
