Alexander Fitzgerald is a popular American poker player, coach, and author, specializing in tournament strategy and mental game improvement. Boasting over $4 million in live and online earnings, he offers game-changing tips or strategies to help players elevate their game. If you are a poker enthusiast looking for expert tips for beating MTTs (Multi-Table Tournaments) online or offline, then check out this article featuring 7 crucial tips from Fitzgerald.
1] Be Attentive & Watch Your Opponents Closely
It is important to show up early for tournaments. Grab your coffee, come to the table and be patient. Understand the table dynamics, like what kind of table you have. Read your opponents at the table. Are there a lot of limpers? Are there loose players opening frequently with weak hands or just everyone playing tight. Accordingly, adjust your game. Look for showdowns and find out what people are opening with. Are they raising pre-flop with marginal hands?
2] Raise Limpers At The Table
Raise limpers thoughtfully when you are in position by going to 4X+2x for each limper and BB. It means if there is just one limper, make it 4X plus 2X for the BB and 2X for the limper which constitutes 8X in total. If you use this formula, you force people to fold 3-6 big blinds to you, which is good enough. But follow this judiciously and pay attention to the first limper as they sometimes limp with event pocket aces.
3] Three-Bet The Aggressive Openers
When you find some opponent opening with all his Broadway cards, suited aces, 8-7s+ and his small pairs, then it is better to go for a three-bet to exploit aggressive openers and maximize your edge. Most times, they will fold or call out of position. Even with tiger range, they will miss the flop about 43% of the time.
4] Squeeze More Players For Pressure
Don’t miss the chance to steal the chips of opponents who are opening constantly or gunning to call . With a good hand, three-bet to 6X if there is one raiser and caller. Add 2.5X for each additional player who calls. If a player raises to 300 at 50/100 blinds and another player just calls, you should re-raise it to 1800 as this is a good strategy to squeeze and get more value for you.
5] Target The Big Blind
If no one is wasting their chips by limping or raising with weak hands, then raise big enough in the pre-flop action to target the big blind. Skip the 2.5x and go for 4X instead. This strategy helps to isolate because lots of players think that they can call big blind with just any two cards. So, make sure to isolate them by raising enough pre-flop.
6] Look Out For Short Stacks
If squeezing puts you at risk of the call from multiple players, then consider just calling instead of making a three-bet. If there are more than three short stacks to your left, be careful about opening the spot. Stay vigilant and keep rule #1 in mind – pay attention to your opponents at the poker table.
7] Never Take A Hand Off
While sitting in the tournament, never ignore to watch every hand. Just go early and start amassing chips from weak players and do not wait till you are left with a short stack along with everyone else. Use this tactic especially when everyone is deep with over 50-100 big blinds. Try to build a lead because if you have 60-70X vs your opponents having 30-40X, they are in trouble and it becomes tough for them to fight back. Watch showdowns, see wide openers and exploit them when you have the chance.
Hope these strategies from Alex Fitzgerald help to elevate your game. Wishing you all good luck for the tournaments ahead! Keep following PokerProNews for more tips and strategies from the top poker pros and coaches of the world.
Source: Advance Poker Training
