Playing a large chip stack

I mostly play in SNGs where my strategy is to try to build up a reasonable stack while the blinds are low. While I don't mean playing loose, just a bit more agressive than normal. Having a good stack really helps later on when the blinds start to go up fast and you're waiting for a decent hand to play. My question is, how do you maintain the discipline with the big stack? I find myself tempted to push the table around - and it has worked enough times. I have also found myself broke in a hand or two. How does your game change when you have the chip lead?

Usually I play tight. You'll last longer in the tournament. You can play a little loose if you have a decent but not great hand and the other players seem to have a pair or garbage. It's better to play loose a few times but not often.

I am generally a tight player, I try and play aggressive when I have a good hand. This usually works well for me. Then I get the chip lead and my brain goes on hiatus .

Sit-n-go's are fun, yet being the chip leader does give the advantage of playing hands one wouldn't normally play. However as the table dwindles down to say 4 people. The lower stacks are taking more of a chance then you are and you actually may get knocked out 1st if you aren't carefull.

That's my problem exactly, especially if it has been a good run of good cards that earned me the large stack. My discipline goes out the window as I feel I should be in every pot...

Fortunately I dont usually have to worry about playing the big stack. Now the small stack, I get lots of practice on that one

Well Dave, like they say, hold'em is an easy game to learn but takes a lifetime to master. I've often seen leaders get busted out in a short time. Bad luck is one thing, but knowing when to lay down a good hand is another.

Playing in a tournament last night with a decent chip stack. I called a KQ suited diamonds with 6 other players. When the chip monster of the table who had 150% more chips than me raised 600 I called in position as well as 2 other players. The flop came up Ks, Qh, 9d. The table checked to the monster who made a bet of 75% of my chips.

A win in this position will put you in the top 3 in the tournament.

Do you fold, call, or raise?

Good question Kard,

I would say fold. Let someone else take the risk if they want, but hold onto your chips cause there too many outs for teh monster to either catch or he may already have the nut straight. He can risk more chips on 10-j and drag u down. Hows that?

You made the correct call. I raised all in. He turned over the AK and did pull the straight on the river.

What's the chances he raise with J-10? I think we give people too much credit at times. This is probably going to be disagreed with BUT.. if it was me, and I could force most of the rest of the table to fold, I would shove all in with top two pair, considering he probably raised with ace-?. His chances would be very slim of catching the straight on the final two cards.

I often find myself with the big stack, but then I feel that I can afford to see every flop, which just dwindles and dwindles my stack down.

I did reraise all in and he did pull the straight on the river.

I think you did the right thing; sometimes people get lucky and pull a miracle river but you can't base your game on that possability. If you can't go all in on that hand, just exactly what hand would you be willing to bet on?

when I have a big stack what i used to do was think that the game was mine for the taking and I'd try to win every hand. Focussing on your own game then becomes far too easy and that's not how you win at poker.

The great thing about this game is you're forced to spend most of your time thinking what the other guy has.
Keep reminding yourself to do that and you'll usually do well.

Most important thing about poker is to never get cocky no matter how often you win, or how many chips you have

You almost have to be a bit pushy when you're the large stack, but not so much that they all notice. Don't do it every hand. Go in a hand when you get a hand you'd normally play and if no one seems to hit, act like you do, or atleast make a feeler bet or two to see how strong they are. You have the big stack you can do stuff like that, and more times than not it'll work for you. I'd recommend acting more like you hit the flop times when you raise preflop. At that point you've already got momentum, so the other players are more likely to fold.

That's the way I reach the final tables, you've gotta have some guts and be able to be aware of you're up against and whether they might have something or not. If someone does realize you're doing this and counters you with a raise, fold, but wait until you're in a hand with them again and you catch a monster, then act like you're trying to buy the pot. That usually works out nice.

Jon

I think it depends on what part of the tourny you are in. Early on with a big stack I would stick to my strategies that got me there. Late or at the final table I would definitely start pushing people around with the big stack. People tighten up and thats when you get your chips. Plus even if you are a dog in a hand, having a chance to knock somebody out while not risking the same yourself is a big advantage. Hope this helps.

Sng and big stacked is a tough position , the way i play it is , if there is 5 people at the table play aggressive.. with 4 at the table watch out for the re-raise and the short stacks to go all-in(people seem to get VERY tight on the bubble , assuming only top 3 pays, they will have monsters if they are willing to play , they are willing to go or call an all in) when it gets down to 3 ,be aware that now they are happy to make the money and will gamble off their chips with maginal hands.. go back to normal play if u have a better than average hand.

I usually try to gain a lead in the beginning, in to the top 2, then play tight, then when im booted out of the top 2, go back to gaining that lead. Etc. repeat.

Everyone wants to be chip leader usually so they can relax and sit back and take it easy. Most of the times when you get the chips the exact opposite happens, you start to play more hands and start to push players around. When you start to do this this is when you get up and start to walk around and just fold your hand for a while until u get good cards or hit a flop. Its much harder to play as the chip leader because you are more likely to play loose.