Chip leader Strategy

Author: Simon Dexter

There is plenty written about Texas Hold ‘Em strategy on blogs and forums on how to play when short stacked, but not so much about how to cope with being chip leader.

Whatever your skill level, there has been a time when you have been the chip leader and it’s a pretty nice feeling to have. However, how many times has your secure position been quietly whittled away and you end up either back where you started or even worse?

In most games, as long as your play to achieve your lofty position has been solid, you will receive respect from the other players. You are in a position to bully the other ‘weaker’ players and have a nice bankroll to help you out.

Aggressive play is a useful weapon here but it is important you have the cards to back up your stance and more importantly, if you have decent hole cards then you don’t want to be letting people limp into the pot.

This is the time to be aggressive. Very quickly, if you try and slow play your opponents, that KK can turn into just KK and then you may be in trouble. You don’t want your opponents getting their runs, flushes or two pairs. Take the small and big blinds, maintain your stack and carry on playing.

Most chip leader’s mistakes revolve around letting people see the flop. Don’t let them – unless they want to pay to do it.

Another mistake when chip leader is playing too many hands. You need to ask yourself ‘Would I be playing these two cards if I was short stacked?’ If not then don’t bother. Maintain your lead.

A further error from chip leaders is their unwillingness to back down. The psychology of being in front makes you feel invincible and almost affronted if attacked by a ‘weaker’ player.

Don’t be afraid to back down and fold. Generally, if challenged by a player who is short of chips they have a good hand.

If you do get trapped bluffing when attempting to steal the blinds from a strong position, one interesting strategy is to allow your opponents to see that you have been caught with weak cards.

Invariably you will be called next time you aggressively try to steal the blinds, so you should ensure that on this occasion you are attempting to steal with strong hole cards.

As in all poker strategy, the importance of watching what is going on cannot be stressed enough. Take a chance as chip leader to fold early a few hands you may have been tempted to play just to watch your opponents and to try and pick up any vital clues that will help you later in the tournament.

Tags: poker history, professional poker, Texas Hold ’Em, world series of poker 2007

This entry was posted on Monday, May 28th, 2007 at 10:48 am and is filed under Poker Strategy.