Help with short stack games

I have played in a couple of short stack games lately and did horrible. I have learned as time has gone on to be more of a tight aggressive type of a player but it seems that my style of play is better suited for a game with a deeper stack. Can anyone offer advice or suggestions on strategy in either a short stack game or playing with a short stack? Thanks in advance for any and all input

funny, i have the opposite problems - i m far better with short stacks than big ones..

depends on the blinds really - as long as ur in the clear (most people won't agree but i feel comfortable with 25 BB and up) stay tight aggressive. at this point ur looking for top 15 hands and medium connectors (i prefer 5-6, 9-10 and 10-j over the ones in the middle simply because i got the 5 or the 10 in them).

whatever u do, when u go with a hand and ur in position don't limp in and don't hesitate post flop when the game is checked to u. also look for opportunities to steal the blinds when it's worth it. notice which players are easy to intimadate (don't look only for the tight ones - some of the best aggresive players get lost when someone takes the initiative of them). when ur going under 10 BB i say choose a hand and go for it...

may the cards be with u...

Thanks MindChurch

Please let me ask you this, if you miss the flop altogether do you even consider a bluff? I am ok with continuation betting after the flop but I usually like to hit a piece of the flop or have good hole cards.

being short stacked is the worst, depending on the lvl of the blinds, anything un 6x bb ACE high should go all in, get a pocket pair, all in, and hope it turns out the best for ya, gl

hey vpb0i

Thanks for you response, sometimes its hard to know if your basic set of guidelines is logical or flawed and I really appreciate knowing that somebody else shares a poker philosophy

hey irish,

considering a bluff depends on how many players ur up against - i don't do pure bluffs against more than 2 and semi bluffs depends on how much outs i have... all and all i try to make my bluffs strong - i.e. - i'll bet at least 70% of the pot and if i have many outs (which will give u the nuts) i'll even make it stronger so if someone decides to join at least i'll double.. of course, i m assuming u didn't limp in so u have better idea which hands u might b up against and have a stronger image for the round.



main point is - it is a lot about fear. when i m short stacked i m not afraid to loose anymore so i actually play better (i m actually more afraid to loose my big stacks...). so with the exception of what i wrote above, as long as u choose the right hands to play with, go for it like there is no tomorrow

Wow! Thank you so much for ur insight. I do have a couple of good friends who have helped me learn a lot but that post of yours mindchurch really opened my mind. It makes so much sense and i really appreciate your insight. God Bless and may you be hands be flush (as long as the flush is the nutz )

mindchurch said:

hey irish,

considering a bluff depends on how many players ur up against - i don't do pure bluffs against more than 2 and semi bluffs depends on how much outs i have... all and all i try to make my bluffs strong - i.e. - i'll bet at least 70% of the pot and if i have many outs (which will give u the nuts) i'll even make it stronger so if someone decides to join at least i'll double..

main point is - it is a lot about fear. when i m short stacked i m not afraid to loose anymore so i actually play better (i m actually more afraid to loose my big stacks...). so with the exception of what i wrote above, as long as u choose the right hands to play with, go for it like there is no tomorrow

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thanks for the flush part

good luck at the tables