In The Money Play
Many players play really well to make the money of a poker tournament but actually then change their game from an optimal aggressive game to one that just hopes to slowly advance to the next levels. Since most poker tournaments have a top heavy pay out, the prize for first is often more than the combined payout for second and third. This makes playing for first the most profitable outcome, and one’s play should be always geared to aiming for the top prize.
Playing too conservatively when you are finally in the money means that the blinds will continually decrease your stack. Building the stack is essential to carry through avoiding a major bust out and to go into the heads up part of the tournament with a good stack to mount a strong claim a the top prize.
By being the first player to make a move or to go all in at the table always comes with the benefits of having two ways to win. Everybody might fold to your raise or all in bet, or your hand can showdown to the river as the best hand. With all the other players tightening to try and scrape into the higher payouts, it is then the most aggressive players who are able to utilise the power of acting first.
Remember that since cashing in tournaments is a rather low frequency, only just making the money will ultimately cost you more money. Coming in at the top will be able to maintain a positive expected value return for your tournament buy ins. Use your stack to maintain aggressive play and to continually intimidate the other players. Constantly refining your game to do so will give you a feared image every time your opponents play with you.
