How I Won Multi Table Tournaments at Party Poker
Why do I love it so much? Perhaps it is because I’m in control, I’m not hooked to the degree I would risk money I can’t afford to lose. So for me it is fun, but potentially rewarding fun.
When I sit down at the ‘table’ I ensure two fundamental thoughts are running through my head. Firstly that I am intending to do the very best I can and, secondly, I can write off the next few hours to play the game with no distractions. I would argue that, unless you have these two fundamentals in place, the chances of progressing far in a tournament are slim. No matter how aggressive or lucky you are, this tournament will still go on for several hours. If you don’t have the time or the determination to see it through to the end then I’d say don’t start in the first place.
But let’s assume you are in the right frame of mind and you do have the time to spare without distraction to play a full tournament. What other qualities will help you win? I am fortunate enough to have one a large multi table tournament at Party Poker, and not just once. Is it because I’m a great player? Far from it. It’s because I understand the game to a reasonable degree and enough to give myself a winning chance in most games if the luck, patience and my concentration hold out.
I rarely depart a tournament before at least 50% of the other players have fallen by the wayside but I do also suffer my fair share of ‘bad beats’ and the moments of madness decisions I quickly regret. A friend who also plays, but has not yet made the final table in one of these larger tournaments, asked me what my greatest tips would be. After a little thought I said; “Be able to judge your winning potential, be able to count your outs within seconds and understand how to multiply by two and four”. So what did I mean?
In Texas Holdem you are dealt two cards face down to start. These are your private ‘pocket cards’ which only you can see. If you feel your cards are strong enough, for the position you are in from the dealer button, you may choose to stay in by calling – or even raising the pot. If you stay in the ‘flop’ is dealt – three cards face up for all to see. This is a crucial part of every hand. Does the flop help you form a good, probably winning hand? With two more cards yet to come, what chance is there you can get to that winning hand? At this time I can see what five of the cards are. I know there are 47 others in the pack. If, after five cards I need an 8 or a Queen to make a straight, I know I have a fair chance of holding the winning hand. This means, as I cannot see an 8 or a Queen, there are 8 possible chances one of these cards will show up in the next two cards to be dealt face up. This is where the multiplication comes in. With two more cards to be dealt I simply multiply the number of ‘outs’ by four. In this case 4 x 8 = 32. This is the approximate percentage chance I have that the next two cards will produce what I’m betting is a winning hand. 32% is roughly one time in three. If the first doesn’t hit, and I only have one more chance to get dealt the winning card, it then becomes approximately 2 x 8 = 16, or if you prefer, half as much chance I will hit that needed card.
Once you have these guides to your winning chances in your head, it is possible to make judgements regarding your betting and the degree of risk you should take. Once you have a reasonably accurate guide in your head regarding your chances of drawing the winner, then you are half way to making the big money at the final table.
Texas Holdem winning strategy is, for me, a combination of patience, chip conservation, judging when your best chances appear and, not ever forgetting, you need a fair degree of luck too.
Time prohibits me writing in any more detail. However, take it from someone who knows, while it can only help to read the books and play endless practices, it is far from essential to winning a multi table tournament at Party Poker. A sound basic strategy and the right mind set are, in my opinion, the two biggest attributes you need.
One last piece of advice I have for you. Forget trying to make the fancy bluffs, particularly early in the game. I rarely try to bluff more than one opponent in any hand, and usually only when the game has got to the point for me where it becomes bluff or bust. You can bluff all of the people some of the time or some of the people all of the time. But you can’t bluff all of the people all of the time. Regular bluff bets will not get you to the final table as often as the attributes I’ve mentioned.
Do always remember that the game should mostly be about fun and pleasure to play. Don’t risk any money you can’t afford to lose. No matter how skilful you believe you are, you will not win significant money in very many of the tournaments you play so keep records and stay in control.
