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Playing and winning at the World Series of Poker Satellites can be your best resort to be able to win a seat at the World Series of Poker main event. Thus, it is important that you play at your best when at the said event. Be eager to win and prepare yourself for any challenges by knowing some winning strategies.

Winning Strategy #1:

Play differently. Try not to play like the rest in the World Series of Poker Satellites. Play the other way around that is more into cashing. Never try to play like other players who make money wins or players who will go all the way with nothing else in mind. Playing differently will make you distinct from the rest, thus giving you better chances of winning.

But just remember, in the event you are already at the final table and you have average stack, take things slowly and don’t take risk unless you really have to.

Winning Strategy #2:

Consider luck although Poker is more about the skills. Luck always has a role to play in Poker. Thus, no matter how good you are as a player, still consider luck. Although you have the skills and the strategies, if you get unlucky, your chance to win will turn upside down.

In World Series of Poker Satellites, considering luck is a must. Blinds move faster in satellites compared to traditional tourney.

Winning Strategy #3:

Never get intimidated in World Series of Poker Satellites. This won’t bring any good results. If you feel at some point others are better than you, just think you all have fair chances on winning. You all share the same goal. Just always play accordingly and everything else will follow.

Hi,

Before anything, thanks for your quick response last time.

Well, I’m here again to ask you something. At a short handed table, say at the the end of the tourney, how should my play change compared to regular one? I know for a fact that I have to loosen up however most of the time I end up playing aggressively. Any advice?

Thank you very much.

All the best,
Leo
Leo,

You should loosen up your hand requirements late. The easiest way to think about this is to take hands that you would play in later position and back up a position with them. Play late position hands even in middle position, middle position hands in early position, and widen your late position holdings up a bit. When you do flop a strong hand, then play the hand aggressively. Also push your big hand.

Hello,

I’m here for two questions. Please help me.

1. When, where and how one should play suited connectors?
2. I don’t know how you would certainly play in a tourney that has a low buy-in, $30. There will be three or four players who will stay in and chase to the river with off-suit middle cards or inside straight draws. Any thoughts?

Thank you very much!

Warm regards,
Anthony
Anthony,

1. Suited connectors should be played either in the blind or in late position and they are usually a limping hand. They require you hit well.
2. If the tournament is a freezeout, you usually either play very tight early and push your advantages or try and see a lot of small pot and keep the pot small until you hit a strong hand. Then you punish your opponents.

Hello,

I’m now into trouble as I don’t know how should I exactly play my cards. I typically play once or twice a week along with some close friends. Well, we all love to buy in to a five dollar tourney as we always get a whole lot of fun doing so.

One time I tried to place in twice. I know I was far better than my friends so I was confident. I decided to slow play. But I was bothered as I know I’m not good at bluffing ever since. Every time I try my friends call or raise to hurt me. And because of this, I just end up chasing and chasing lots of cards to both turn and river, typically flush and straight draws.

As of the moment, we are planning to host a huge tourney, buy in will be $20. Of course I don’t want to lose if in case. So I’m wondering if you have any exercise in mind that you think would be perfect for me. Is there any?

Thanks in advance.

All the best,
Matthew
Matthew,

First, tighten up your hand requirements a bit. Don’t chase flush draws and straight draws unless you have proper odds. If you do not understand what I mean, do some research on pot odds. Also, study up about playing hands in position. Later in the tournament, find spots to steal blinds from the weaker players at the table to help keep your stack healthy.

Another thing you may want to do is play more poker online to give yourself more tournament experience. This way you can work on your game and not rely on your weekly home game.

Hello,

I’m done playing the latest 6 person tournament. Well, I’m not boasting here or what but I actually finished two of those in a single night.

I remember in the first tourney, I did well earlier and had a bit over 20K in chips. Couple of good hands also were present. Unfortunately in the mid part, something came up, I was holding pair of Jacks then. I raised two early callers to 1,000 from the button. At such point, blinds were 200/400. Then blinds folded, heads up coming. Flop came and brought A-A-x. My opponent then checked and I placed 4K bet. He then went over top and placed me all in. At such instance, I had 10K to my name. Then I called and he revealed he had Ace. I believe I made a mistake at some point. I never entertained the idea what if he had Ace or the idea how willing he is to go all in even without the Ace.

In the following tournament, almost same things happen. Earlier part, I believe I did well. I had around 15K. I was allowed to play for free with 8d-2d from the big blind. Flop came and brought Ad-Kd-5d. There were three players then who were in the pot. Hoping someone had hit the A or K, I led out with $2K. I then got a call. One player then went all in over the top. I then laid down what I had as I’m afraid to take risk. In the end, I surprisingly won the tourney.

Now, how do you suppose to balance being an aggressive player with the ability to lay down properly? And in the first tourney, do you think I should have laid down as well? I think I should have laid down too. How about in the second tourney, do you think I should have called?

By the way, when playing against an inferior player, should I fear a one in three odds to double up than being busted out?

Glad to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Mart
Mart,

In the first tournament, you should have folded when the two aces hit the board. When you raise and are called by two players, the odds are high that one of them holds an Ace. When you bet and he check-raised, you were beat and should have folded.

The other hand, I would have probably called there. The odds of flopping a flush are around 30% and the odds of two people flopping such are much longer. You should have called here and tried to double up.

Being able to lay down hands requires the ability to be able to put your opponent on hands properly. This comes by observation and watching playing style. Part of this is simple common sense of what could be out there. When you have J-J and overcards hit the board with more than one opponent, odds are you are going to be behind. Sometimes you are not, but you have to be aware of the possibility.

Hello,

I have something to ask, it’s something about how loose a table can go. In particular, how many players should be in around when being in a tourney with 9 players around and with K8o? Do you think it can be played middle position? Or else only late when like 80% of the players are in?

In middle position, what are the playable hands? And can suited connectors be played in middle position or only in late position?

Also, what are the hands considered to be middle hands? How about late position hands? And is 56s better compared to K7s? By the way, are both to be played when in the back? Or else middle position will do? I understand how loose the table needs to be considered but which table will it fit most, typical table, not too loose, not too tight, or what?

Thanks and nice site!

Regards,
Joe
Joe,

While I wouldn’t normally play K-8o, if 9 players are limping in to see the flop, I’m going to limp in to. 9 to 1 on my money is fantastic odds. If I miss, no worries.

In middle position, pairs can be limped in with, as well as A-10 through A-K. K-Q and K-J suited can also be limped in with. Pairs 9 and up can be raised as well as A-Ks, A-Qs, and A-J suited. Suited connectors other than high suited connectors should probably be played in late position only.

K-7s is better than 5-6s due to the high pair chances and better flush chance. Most hands that I recommended above are good hands to raise with in late position. I would limp in with a few other hands such as two cards 10 and up, suited or non, most suited connectors 7-8 and up, and suited aces.