Pacific Online Poker Tour

A Tactical Guide for No Limit Tourney Play

When you are in a No Limit tournament, you will, in the early tables, always try to limit your participation to the barest possible minimum. If they will take each other out, or you can take them out pre flop, so much the better. However, you need to be aware of the strategies that you will need when you have the hands.

Holding AA, AK or a pair of kings prior to the flop will give you the luxury of raising big amounts, enough to take down a field of players. The odds are very much in favor of this outcome, due to the tight and rock like mentality of the individuals on the No Limit table.

If you are on the flop with premium hands but it does not improve, scrutinize the table. Based on the wagers issued, you will have a good idea if you are still ahead. If so, your No Limit strategy would be to check the turn. If it does not improve, then you must consider folding, as the likelihood of your opponents holding a set would be quite large.

On the other hand, if your high pair gets the set (i.e., AAA or KKK) then go all in with your raise. The proper No Limit strategy is to take the pot, as it is very unlikely that anyone has anything close to what you have.

Such an ideal No Limit tournament scenario is not always possible of course; if you are holding JJ and the flop comes out J-9-5, and in middle position, assess the table. If no one raised before you, then you should. However, if someone before you does, then you should pause and think.

If he is loose, then you can still raise, but if he is a very tight No Limit tournament player, then in all likelihood he has you beat with an KK or better.

Other scenarios wherein your No Limit strategy should include the possibility of folding is when your high pair is completed only on the flop, and worse, if the other two are paired as well, as this increases the possibility of a trip. If you are holding high pair but the board is rife with possible straights or flush, be wary.

In No Limit tournament play, one can easily get lost in the myriad possible scenarios and situations. However, one should be patient, because the rewards at the end will be more than enough to compensate for all the hard work.

The question is how much does one want it, and only those that truly strive to work on their No Limit game will succeed.