Poker After Dark

Recently I was a couple of hours into an online tournament with an average stack of chips. My stack was at 13k and I was on the button when the action folded around to me. I looked down at a dreadful [5c][7c] and decided to just call as I had raised the blinds the last couple of hands around and didn’t want to get too greedy. The small blind folded but the Big Blind decided to raise it up to $1000. Considering the blinds were $300 / $150 this was not all that big of a raise and I was actually priced into calling so I did.

The flop came down [Xc][Xc][J]

I immediately pushed my chips in the middle after the Big Blind checked to me and was called with [A][J]os. I had already decided that I was going to either have a huge stack or I was going home at that point. I also put my opponent on either Ace rag or Ace King or Ace Queen and figured he likely missed the flop and would have to fold based on his previous play.

The turn was another Club and off to the rail he goes.

I am now sitting on $28,000 in chips and poised for another run at the Final Table. So why did I make the power move?

Well, once I saw the flop I had no intentions of folding for a few reasons. First, I knew my opponent did not have a big hand when he raised albeit I also knew he had me beat. Second, with the flop coming with two clubs on the board and knowing that I needed to accumulate chips I decided to take the risk and either get there or go home. This kind of poker power move is why I have become a more successful Sit n Go player in my opinion. Even though the tournament I am referring to had 1000 players I realize that an average stack will not last you for long when you are midway through the tournament. Early in the poker tournament there is no need to make these kind of moves. The chips value is too low. However, when you can go up to 28k with $300 / $150 blinds and take control of your destiny more you open up an array of options that simply are not there for an average stack.

Another power move I like to make is when I have connecting cards in late position after the flop and I have an open ended straight draw. Again, if it’s after the first break and I only have an average stack, which means I am behind, then I am looking for an opportunity to become a big stack. Many times you will see players get themselves into an all-in situation on this kind of flop with another player. The key to this power move for me is that there has to be at least two other players in the pot and no flush draw on the board for me to call the post-flop all-ins with my open ended straight draw. Now, if I hit my hand, I am sitting on a truck load of chips and have the freedom to see many more hands and take control of my table and build from there. If not, no big deal.

The reason for these kinds of “power moves” is that the blinds move up so fast at 15 minute intervals you have to push the edges on almost every opportunity after the first break unless you have a truck load of chips. By playing it safe and always doing the “optimal” thing you may win occasionally but you will not get to the Final Table with many chips if ever. Fast tournament structure requires fast play. Now, if you can hit a big hand and then continue to build your big stack from there you will be primed for a run at the final table and that is the only reason to play the game.