Tips

This Saturday night im going to enter the biggest tourney I have played in yet. It's a home game but its a very serious game, nl holdem and the buy in will either be $50 or $100 (they decide on when they figure how many is going to get in and what everybody getting in wants to do.) First place always take home anywhere from 700-1500 dollars. Every game I have played in the buy in has always been between 10-30 dollars, but im just now turning 18.

I have been playing good latley in the games I have got in (made almost a $100 profit playing in home games in November.) I feel confident, I know the best player over there and played with him a few times once heads up and hes not much at all better than me but still a very good player. I have also been reading books about the game, and I think posting and reading post on here has helped me this month as well.

Anyways, would anybody like to give me some tips for Saturday? Things to remember through out the night?

Step 1) Do NOT bluff. Most of these guys suck at poker. They always want to prove how ballsy they are by making loose calls. After playing for awhile, you can figure out who is a good player and who is not.

2) Do not play tricky till the final table. Playing fancy only works against good players. The good players will be at the final table.

3) Watch the other players when you are not in the pot. You should be able to pick up some tells on the weak players. (or even some of the stronger ones)

4) If you get to 10 blinds or less, shove more towards the button. Any A, big K, suited Q, J or 10, or any pair usually warrants a shove for your stack.

5) I want 10%! ( Good Luck, my friend!)

watch the players reaction to the flop not the flop. the cards will be there the players reaction will not.

Keep your ears and eyes open and mouth shut

Watch the faces of your buddys and listen to the way they inhale the secoind they look at their hole cards. Play the players as well as your cards. Know they will also be watching you.
In home games my acting chops are as important as my ability to play and to do fast math.
and as always Know when to holdem know when to fold em and know when to quietly gasp when looking at 7 6 offsuit.

Play your normal game, good or bad. Don't think about the extra money involved, don't let the money dictate how you play.

Most importantly, learn and have fun!