Adjusting to Table Switching in Poker Tournaments
Posted Wednesday, September 13, 2006 in
Poker Tourney
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There are several strategies that a player can use to quickly adjust to the table switching that happens in a poker tournament. The first strategy is to treat each table change as a brand new game. The first thing that you do as you sit down at your new table is size up your competition. Have you seen these players before in another game? What type of poker player do they look like? What size of chip stack are they bringing with them? Use this information to make a quick table strategy with. Also use this information to see how your position at the current table will be an asset and a liability, and then make quick mental notes on how to handle yourself during the first few hands of poker at this table.
Exercise your poker memory
The next strategy to use to adjust to the table switching that occurs in a poker tournament is to remember players you have previous played against. First if you are facing off against a player that you have played with in previous rounds or previous tournaments you have the advantage of knowing what type of player they are and how they play the game. If you are up against all new players, then you can use your knowledge of past poker players that you have faced off against to develop strategies for your current table. For example you can find similarities between your tablemates and past opponents you have faced off against. Remember what led to their elimination can be used to force this player into tournament elimination.
Establishing a poker reputation
The most common strategy used to deal with the continuous changing of tables during a poker tournament is to quickly establish your poker reputation when you first sit down at a new poker table. This can be accomplished with body language, aggressive opening moves, and a little bullying in the round. Your poker persona can also be developed by remaining stoic in your chair. Refrain from conversation, refrain from movement, and refrain from emotion. All of these actions, or inactions, can help to develop an intimidating and unreadable poker face that can help you to perform well at any table that you sit at.
By using all of these suggestions you should be able to adjust the table changes that occur in a poker tournament. The most important thing to remember when switching tables is that you don’t want to enter a new table with baggage accumulated from the past table. Treat each table as a brand new game with a fresh slate. Don’t allow past mistakes to drag down your next game, instead use it as a learning tool.