Poker Tournament

Winning in Shorthanded No Limit Turbo Tourneys

Even seasoned shorthanded No Limit players will have to make modifications to their strategies when playing in a turbo tourney. If you have never played in one, there are several things that you have to mull over.

If you have any experience playing in a typical No Limit tournament, you know the strategy; play it rock tight in the beginning, shift gears in the middle stage, and adopt your basic strategy, or mix it up at the final table. However, you cannot use that approach when you play in shorthanded games, let alone in turbo tourneys.

In shorthanded No Limit turbo, you play as aggressively as possible at the beginning of the game. The reason are the blinds. Usually they will start at $10/20, but regardless of the value, you should realize that they will go up very quickly. In some turbo tourneys, every two minutes or so.

So your No Limit strategy should be to raise with as many hands as possible. Don't limp in; bet and raise. Even if you are holding a marginal hand, go to the flop. If a high card hits, like an Ace or King, bet hard and make it appear that you paired the KK or AA, even when you are holding nothing.

Most of your opponents will fold. This shorthanded No Limit strategy will also work when you play low connectors and actually hit the two pair. Because you had been raising every hand, most will now believe that you are bluffing and will call you, which is perfect.

Once the blinds increase significantly, you should change gears and play it more tight. With a significant chip stack, you can now afford to be more selective with your No Limit hands and raise only those with value. Because you played with a lot of hands early on, you opponents will have no idea if you're calling with a 56 off suite or a QQ.

The rising blinds and ultra aggressive play means a lot of your No Limit opponents will be playing under pressure. Be on the lookout for those who are tilting, or folding every hand and succumbing to the pressure.

Shorthanded No Limit tourneys, especially when in turbo, can be exhilarating but at the same time put tremendous pressure on the player. Get to know the right strategies, and also the right times for switching tactics, and you'll have little problems shifting your own game in turbo mode.