Multi-table poker tournaments

A poker tournament refers to a play format according to which all the players continue to play until the last player still remains in the game and emerges as the sole winner. Players enter this tournament for the same prize money or buy-in. They start the game with an equal amount of chips, and as the tournament advances, the stakes are raised at intervals of about 15 minutes.

As players begin to lose money, they are eliminated from the game, except if it is a re-buy tournament where the player can buy into the game again within a set time period. When one player has all the chips, he wins and the tournament ends.

Guarantee tournaments: This works in a similar manner to the tournament table described above. The only exception here is that guarantee tournaments guarantee a certain amount of prize money. It doesn’t matter how many players register to play so long as there are enough members for the tournament to be held, the prize pool will always contain the guaranteed amount of money. The prize pool can also be more than the guaranteed amount of pool money.

Satellites: Online satellite FullTilt poker tourneys are small tournaments that can bring you into larger poker tournaments. Here, the buy-in is much lesser than that of larger tournaments. This is the chief reason for people wanting to play these tourneys. They tournaments also give great value and players get a golden opportunity of getting into larger tournaments.

Freerolls: It’s a good idea to improve your game by playing freeroll tournaments, which can be played free of cost. These tournaments award cash prizes for winners.

Sit ‘n’ go tournaments: These tournaments only start when a fixed number of participants registers. The moment the sit ‘n’ go is full, the tournament begins. Here too, play advances until a clear winner with the maximum number of chips is found. Blinds are increased after structured time periods and according to the structure of set blinds.

This kind of tournament is usually played by a minimum of two players and a maximum of 30 players, at different speed levels. Players can choose between normal blind structures of 10 minutes, 5-minute speed structure and a 3-minute turbo structure.

Tips to win at multi-table poker tournaments:

· When play begins, play aggressively and get lucky.

· Don’t take chances early in the tournament lest you ruin a good hand. So, play carefully.

· Play a loose game early on until you see a few flops when the blinds are small. Your aim should be to hit the flop and win the large pot. As the tournament progresses and the blinds increase, stop taking any risks.

· When you get big hands, bet strongly or your opponents will see the flop and draw you out of the game.

· If your chip stack is of average amount in relation to your opponents, you’re home and dry. However, if you’re short of chips, go all in at the right time.