Local Poker Tournaments

It is not easy to play Texas Hold em poker tournaments. First, you have to keep your chips and protect your stake from your opponents, and second, many players do not acknowledge this and risk too often.

With this said, let us tell you 5 BIG mistakes poker tournament players make. The good news is that as soon as you know what they are, you will be able to avoid them:

 

1. Recurrent use of continuation bet

Tournaments comprise hundreds of hands, and it is not possible to play all of them. At some point, you have to fold. Very often the fold doesn’t bring good cards and you have various options like:

• To fold
• Continuation bet

Continuation bet is a good tool but highly risky, because if your bluff doesn’t work, you’re going to lose an important amount of chips.

Remember that the size of your bets and raises should be modest; for example, 2/3 of the pot is too much. Keep your stake and don’t waste chips through continuation bet.

 

2. Outclassing strong pocket cards before the flop

Let’s say you are in position with AK. Someone with a big stake raises by the size of 4 big blinds. You take a small pause and say you’re all-in. He calls your re-raise and shows QQ. All is left is for you to leave the table.

Can you see how this was a BIG mistake? You don’t need to rush! Wait and take a look at the flop.

However, how do you behave in this situation?

Re-raise may be the best option. If your opponent calls you will see the flop and will have the advantage of the last word, if the opponent says all-in… you better fold, and again, don’t go all-in before the flop with JJ! Your chances are too slim.

Playing Texas Hold em requires thinking and skills, contrary to Russian roulette.

 

3. Not changing strategies

It is OK if at the beginning of a tournament you call a raise having 6-7 of the same suit, but when the limits are high, this strategy is way too expensive.

You must understand that new conditions of the game do not allow for the same strategy. You have to be more selective when blinds become more expensive.

Call raises only when you have strong cards; even low pocket pairs like 4-4 or 3-3, are out of place when the limits are high.

 

4. Submission against blinds

The more you advance into the tournament the more aggressive you must behave. In the beginning, use Tight Texas Hold em style, but later you have to try to steal blinds.

If you are too passive you will lose your chips in the blink of an eye.

 

5. Calls with drawing hands

Many players chase a flush or a straight until the very end. They are not afraid of calling raises or re-raises, which is a very expensive tactic. Sometimes it works, but never forget to calculate your odds.

If you are one card away from a straight, your chances are very low, and if it is a flush you’re after and the flop gives you two cards of the same suit as your pocket cards, your chances are still small.

Remember these mistakes and avoid them; winning in Texas Hold em requires a sophisticated approach.

 

If you have poker in your blood, and wish to participate in local poker tournaments, we want to welcome you to Encore club!

• We are excited to offer you a poker club conveniently located close to downtown Portland, OR, and right next to Pearl District at NW Glisan and 16th avenue.

• Our Portland poker room caters to players and poker enthusiasts of all skill levels who are interested in playing Texas Hold em No Limit Tournaments with cash buy-ins ranging from $20 and up to $300.

• Our poker club also features full bar and lounge with leather couches, big screen TVs, free Wi-Fi Internet access, and casino-like atmosphere. We are a full service operation providing everything from poker tables, chips and cards, to professional volunteer dealers, tournament directors and beautiful cocktail waitresses and bartenders.

• We've got absolutely everything for you to just come and enjoy a fantastic game of poker! Take a look at our photo gallery, where you can see what we offer for yourself.

• We are open 7 days a week from 11.30am till 2.30am. There’s a 30-car parking lot in front of the building, and off-street parking is free. Our club is 100% licensed and legal.

Need more information? Contact us right away