NL tournaments.. how to be a more effective chip leader?

hey guys.. i play online and have got pretty good at winning 10$ buy in NL holdem tournys.. i often become the chip leader early/mid in the game and hold my own and usually win money, but i feel like i should be a better chip leader bully to increase my chances of winning as well as my chip stack. does anyone have any good ebooks (or chapters) or any advice on what to do when your the chip leader in these situations? thanks a lot!

Well being a "bully" is a very effective strategy later in tournaments. Bullying is all about effective aggression, not raising and reraising every hand! More than likely it is simply a matter of judgement on your part, when to try and push smaller stacks around and when not to. Simply the time to do it is when you feel they have a weak hand like middle pair for example because even a short stack will fire back if he thinks he has you. Most likely the problem isn't how you play hands but more of what hands and when you play them.

Just remember, no one likes a bully. I personally don't go in pots with them unless I know I can win it. Anyone who goes all-in time after time just to be a bully - isn't playing poker in my opinion. And remember too, being "unliked" at the table usually gets the whole table after that person wanting to take them out. I've seen many a chip leader bust out fast because they've been bullying people around and then they are called and out they go! Its so sweeeet! The next comment is "glad he's gone".

I agree with Michele that nobody likes a bully. A bully may get some chips from me at the table, but getting a reputation as such isn't a good thing. I play a pretty straight, tight game. However, the straight tight game bites me sometimes because I'm only aggressive when "I've got it" Translation: People who play with me often get the hell out of the way when I bet, so it means less chips for me. So I'm starting to ride the line a little between tight aggressive and tight passive. Maybe bluffing will come into play as I get some more practice.

Sorry, got off topic - Bottom line is that someone who bullies all of the time is not fun to play with. I've seen an entire table gang up to take out someone who was bullying in a cash game.

Being a bully doesnt mean to put people all-in all of the time.

One of the most fundamental strategies of continuing to build your large stack si to steal blinds.

Later in tournaments, most players will tighten up just a little bit, especially near the money bubbles. You have to take advantage of this tightening up. Raise preflop (really with any hand) if there are especially tight players in the blinds and the action has been folded around to you (no raises in front of you).

You don't want to do this too much or you will start to get called. A nice benefit of stealing blinds is that you will get more action when you actually have a hand.

Try to steal at least once an orbit (dealer button around the whole table).

A real bully knows when to throw his or her weight around. I play a very aggressive game and I play that way and win if the cards are with me. If I don't have the cards to back me up I will fold. Nobody likes a bully but thats cause they are winning and you can't stop them. Its frustrating to be a loser all the time. Its a very good strategy, cause it puts alot of players on tilt trying to take the bully out. A good bully will keep their head above that and win.

A smart play besides "bullying" is to play your game. People seem to change a little bit when they get a lead ... don't. You got those chips that way.

Only thing I do as a chip leader is actually chase a little but not kill my stack in the process. Also a little thing I do is bet a little more preflop on a good hand.

"Nobody likes a bully."

Poker is one of the few contexts in life where being a "bully" is not considered a bad thing. In fact, it's absolutely essential to be able to put the heat on your opponents and to rake pots through intimidation. There's nothing wrong in using the leverage you've earned through your strong play throughout the tournament to pressure your opponents.

Greg Raymer is one of the most amicable people you'll ever meet at the poker table. But he's a multi-millionaire with a wsop Main Event bracelet because he was ruthless as the chip leader. If you're hesitant or embarrassed to play the part of the bully because of what the other folks at the table will think of you, it's time to consider another game of choice. Hearts, canasta, or rummy may be better suited to these genteel sensibilities.

I'm dead serious when I say that if you hang onto this misguided notion, your game will never be all it could be. Not to mention that you're steaming at another player for simply doing what he's supposed to do with a big stack...use it to inflict trauma.

What is the deal with all the hugging and singing together? I don't care if anyone at a poker table likes what I am doing, so long as I am raking pots. Caring what someone elses opinion of you is a sure way to second guess your way right to the rail.

You must protect your chip lead in a tournament by using it to its fullest advantage. Steal more blinds when players tighten up close to the money, push the smaller stcks around every chance you get. The idea is to keep everyone possible on the defense to prevent them from mounting an offense.

You also must take into consideration the law of the jungle. Usually you don't see lions attacking tigers. They go for the antelope or some other weaker pitiful animal. Same rule applies for tournament poker. Go after the smaller stacks and take them out one by one, and build your lead. If you lose a race to a short stack, you won't be hurt as bad as getting a ton of chips taken by another big stack at the table. Avoid confrontations with big stacks unles you are almost certain you are a lock to win the pot. Tight but agressive is the best way to play your chip lead. The "bully" everyone is complaining about is usually the winner and their disdain probably comes more from losing to them than the way the lost.

Men see it one way, women see it another (at least most do). It will never change and its pointless to even try. Bully away boys!

I've seen many of you play and I've seen many of you bullied too and bust out. It doesn't feel good - that's all we're trying to say.

Everyone hates the bully but loves to be in the position to be one (in poker I mean). There is a big difference between bullies in tournaments and those in a ring game (1-2 NL for example). I hate bullies in ring games that just go all in all of the time.

Tournament play is completely different. Tournaments are about survival and if you can steal blinds and push people around so be it. If it is between you and me I am gunning for me every time. People who translate what I do at the table to after I leave the table need to learn that poker is a game and I want to win.

I will use my chips to make the small stacks make hard decisions. Is that being a bully? Then count me as one. You have to take advantage of your big stack. I hate it when I am short stacked and the chip leader just puts out a bet that cover me.

People hate bullies because it puts all the pressure on them to make decisions and don't like it. That to me is what poker is all about. Making the correct decision and profiting from those right decisions.

The other reason people hate a bully is because you have to change your style of play and who likes to do that. When I get seated with one you have to reraise and not be afraid of them. A couple of burns by the table on some hands can bring them back down a notch or two.