Pokkercards.com

Short Stack Strategy

September 15, 2009 on 5:23 am | In Pokkercards.com | No Comments

When playing in sit n go’s and tournaments, becoming short stacked is virtually inevitable. Whether it is due to poor play, a bad beat or just simply being blinded away, every player will face a time where their tournament life is on the line with very few options to resort to.

When this unfortunate situation happens, do you just give up? I mean, it is has to be completely difficult to come back from the dead, if not impossible. So, why even bother?

Well, it is possible; I know from experience. And a player should bother because as long as he or she has chips, they have a chance. Sure, there is a lot of luck involved but there are a few things that we outlined below that a player can integrate into his or her short stack strategy that when combined with said luck should give them a fighting chance to come back; and even win.

Short Stack Tips

Here are a few things that all players should focus on in the event that they are short stacked.

Blinds

Keeping track of the blinds is the most important thing you can do when short stacked. You need to know how much the blinds are and how this relates to your stack. It is also important to know where they are on the table in relation to where you are sitting.

The reason that this is the most important factor is that there is a huge difference in being short stacked to 2 or 3 big blinds or less or 8 or 10 big blinds. If you have only 2 or 3 big blinds left and the blinds are about to pass you, you had better be ready to push with any two cards.

On the other hand, if you have 8 to 10 big blinds, you are still in a ‘pushing mode’ but can still be slightly picky.

In short, just be sure to pay attention to the blinds so that you are not blinded out. There is no excuse for it and there is nothing wrong with pushing with 7-2 off suit if that is the only option you have.

Stack Sizes

Stack sizes are the next thing to be concerned with simply because stack sizes affect how others are playing at the moment.

For example, trying to shove against a short stack may be a bad idea unless you have a high ace like A-10+ or a pocket pair. The reason being is that their calling range is going to be super wide and it will be more likely that they call you instead of fold.

Medium stacks that can be substantially damaged if they coin-flip with you and lose are the stacks to target. They are only going to be calling with solid hands so you can shove with almost any two cards and get away with it. Of course, the better cards you have the better chance you stand, but you get the idea.

Large stacks will be hit or miss. I say this because some will call you with wide range of hands as long as they have you covered and do not stand to lose much ground if you win. Other short stacks will fold so not to take the chance in doubling up a short stack.

Table Images

Table images are a good thing to keep track because you will have more fold equity with some opponents than others.

Why is that a good thing? Well, there will be times where you may have to push super wide, say, with a hand such as K-4 or Q-9. With these kinds of hands or worse, you will be much happier taking down the blinds instead of racing with someone.

This is where table image comes in; some players are going to be able to fold a hand while others will not.

For example, if you have a mediocre hand that you would rather take the blinds down with instead of race, but only have a calling station on your left that is left to act, you may consider just mucking your hand. Sure, they could be calling with a wide range but again, you will more than likely be flipping.

If you are against a tighter player, you should be able to shove into them with all kinds of different hands and they will more than likely fold.

Having an idea of whom your opponents are will allow you to make a more educated choice on whether shoving is a good idea or not. There may be times where your raise or just limp in as opposed to shoving with a good hand in hopes to put it all in one the flop. It will just come down to how you perceive your opponents.

What Hands Do You Shove With?

The hands that you choose to shove with will really depend on all the factors above. But as a general rule of thumb, I will shove with any pair and just about any two face cards and A-8+. A pair is only dominated to a higher pair and 50% against any two face cards and any 2 face cards are a flip as well unless your hand is dominated by a better kicker or better flush/straight draws.

Many other strategy articles will tell you to be very patient and still choose wisely with your starting hands. While this may be an arguably good idea, the reason why I wouldn’t suggest it is purely that the risk of blinding out is too high. I would much rather shove with 3-6, 2-7 or J-4 as opposed to being blinded out. I want to choose my fate whenever possible in a tournament or sit n go, not let the cards do that for me.

Be the One Shoving, Not the One Calling

I still like to consider the Gap Concept when being short stacked. That means if there is a shove in front of me and I have a mediocre hand in comparison to that player’s range, I will more than likely much my hand. The reasoning behind that is that the player who is shoving is already declaring that his hand is better than everyone else’s is, so unless you have a pocket pair that is 1010 or higher, I would just wait.

The other reason behind being the one to shove and not the one to call is that by shoving you are putting pressure on your opponents. They will need to decide if their hand has your wide array of hands beat and decide if it is worth doubling you up to find out.

Short Stack Strategy in Poker

So when you are short stacked do you just simply throw in the towel and give up? Hell no, you continue to play smart and aggressive poker and put your chips in when you have the best of it.

Now, it should be pointed out that these tips are purely situation dependent. You will not always have the option to choose whom you shove against or what hands you shove with; you may just simply have to do it and cross your fingers.

The most important tip that players can take from this article is to simply not give up; it is possible to come back from being short stacked and with a good attitude, some simple tips and yes, even a little bit of luck.