Poker is a five card game and has been around for a very long time. Originally a game pub dwellers played in England and is still played today. The basic tournament strategy that all players should already have under their belts is the classic poker face and body language. If you have not mastered these, you will be giving away your hand, your goal and most likely all your money in the pot! To be better prepared to take on a tournament of substantial size consider, practicing your body language every time someone says the word call, or raise. Don’t allow your body to move at all, keep your shoulders relaxed, your mind set to blank and keep your face as a stone. Many players allow their eyebrows to rise at the call, this tiny change in your countenance will allow the players around you to assume too much. Keep everything motionless.
People will comment about your ability to maintain a true poker face or position. This is a good comment, as you muster the skills to keep your body motionless, you’ll be able to pick up on other people’s body language. Someone might touch their ear, cough or even play with their mustache. Look carefully as you play in a tournament, see who calls on which round, who folds at what amount etc. You have to be able to see and hear things in a tournament that you may have missed in a casual cash game.
Many players try to play the highest cards they can, if you get a couple of aces hold tight to them and try to get a couple of other cards in the royals or high numbered cards such as tens and nines. If you can offer a common double set of pairs you may win the hand. Bet slowly. Don’t throw all the chips you have on the table unless you are being eaten by fear! Never let fear have the upper hand, never allow yourself to freak out over your cards. Poker is a very tedious game built on strategy and knowledge.
The more you practice your cards, the better you learn the hands. Be ready to accept all challenges. Never doubt yourself and always, learn from your mistakes. Take betting in steps, never put more out than what you think your cards are worth. If you practice these steps, your next tournament will be a winner!