The first thing is DON'T PANIC!
The second thing is check which Hand Ranges you should be shoving all-in with when you are first-in to the pot given your stack size and position.
How? By quickly reviewing the BRAND-NEW interactive Push/Fold Charts created by LearnWPT and short stack specialist, Chris Wallace.
- Visit the Tools Dashboard
- Click the View Charts button to open the interactive Push/Fold Charts
- Select Big Blinds in your stack
- Select "With Antes" or "Without Antes"
- Find the number of players behind
- That's it! These ranges will be the most profitable to move all-in with
Helpful hint: bookmark the Push/Folds Charts page for quicker access
Learning how to utilize the short and awkward stack will improve your ability to get chips without good cards, even in the toughest games.
Watch more about the the fundamentals of Chris Wallace's world-class short stack strategy by reviewing Strategy Episode 168: Short Stack Play - Overview.
If you have questions about the Push/Fold Charts send your questions in using the Ask a Pro feature or contact [email protected].
P.S. You must be logged in to your Monthly or Yearly LearnWPT.com Membership to view the Push/Fold charts!
Meet LearnWPT Pro Chris Wallace!
Chris, known to the poker world simply as “Fox”, is a professional poker player, poker coach, and widely respected theorist and author on the game. Chris would contend that he's known more as a coach than as a player, having served as coach and mentor to several successful players. Read Chris's Full Bio →
Watch this 2-minute preview of a LearnWPT Strategy Episode as Nick Binger illustrates an example of a common leak most players make with big hands... not maximizing their value.
Understanding how to maximize your expectation with big hands based on concrete factors including opponent range, board texture, and stack size is critical to long-term profitability in No-Limit Hold’em.
After viewing the 2-minute preview, click the red JOIN NOW button to purchase your $5 First Month of Membership and receive immediate access to this full Strategy Episode (normally for LearnWPT.com Monthly and Yearly Members only!).
Have a question about LearnWPT? Contact [email protected] and we will be happy to answer your questions!
Check out Matt Savage's recent article as he explains the benefits and rules of the new Big Blind Ante structure and why the World Poker Tour is adopting it.
So... what strategic adjustments should you be making because of the new BB Ante format?
The answer might surprise you....
Watch the below preview of LearnWPT Strategy Episode 237 as Nick Binger answers a Member submitted question from our Ask a Pro feature regarding adjustments for the new Big Blind Ante structure:
Some key take aways from Matt Savages' article regarding the new Big Blind Ante structure all players should know:
- There will be one single ante posted for the whole table by the player in the Big Blind.
- The ante is posted first and players from any position will be eligible to win the entire ante regardless of chip stack.
- Antes never reduce until end of tournament.
- In regards to payouts, if two players are all-in at same table and one is in the Big Blind, (a) the Big Blind gets credit for ante first, (b) the player out of the big blind gets full credit for ante, and (c) the ante is considered dead in the pot.
- Dealers, staff, and players alike have universally claimed how much easier and more efficient it is. Dealers do not have to remind distracted players to post their antes every hand.
- More hands are being dealt, allowing structures to remain deeper for longer portions of tournaments.
- There are less chips in play and less need to make change.
"The TDA and I share a mantra of consistency and, whether or not you personally agree, you should live with the change to be consistent for the benefit of the players. I know that big blind ante is a great change to no-limit hold’em poker tournaments. The big blind ante is here to stay! The bottom line is that BBA is faster and downright better!"
- Matt Savage
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIG BLIND ANTE?
Members can send us any questions or hands they've played using the BBA and receive expert answers and analysis from the LearnWPT Instructors using the popular Ask a Pro feature and Hand Input Tool.
What do you think of the new Big Blind Ante?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Pocket pairs can be tricky, and misplaying them can put your chips in serious trouble!
A pocket pair can look great preflop but how does the strength of your hand change on the Flop, Turn, or River?
Whether you have ducks, treys, walking sticks, snowmen, ladies, cowboys, or rockets, understanding what your pocket pair is worth on every street will give you a skill edge against your opponents.
Put your skills to the test in these decisions involving pocket pairs!
- 3♥3♠ with 17BB Stack
- 5♦5♣ in the Small Blind
- 6♠6♣ on the Flop
- J♠J♥ on the Turn
- T♣T♠ on the River
Understanding and mastering these strategies will give you the opportunities to exert a skill edge against your opponents and play your pocket pairs effectively:
Keep on practicing!
-LearnWPT
PS: a Membership with LearnWPT is the easiest and fastest way to add more levels of complexity and nuance to your game. Members have access to over 150+ scenarios like this to practice their decision-making skills!
How are these scenarios helping your game?
Post your answers in the comments below.
[UPDATE: This LearnWPT Strategy Episode is no longer available for free to non-members]
We hope you enjoyed this special access to a full Strategy Episode from LearnWPT!
Episodes like this are included as part of a Membership to LearnWPT and our Monthly and Yearly Members get BRAND-NEW informative Strategy Episodes monthly!
Bubble play is often the most challenging aspect of tournament poker, especially with millions of dollars at stake.
Join LearnWPT Lead Instructor, Nick Binger as he breaks down the action from the recent ultra-high stakes WSOP One Drop Final Table and provides detailed analysis of the strategic points considered when facing a $2 million dollar decision!
We’ll see you online!
-LearnWPT
HOW CAN LEARNWPT HELP YOUR GAME?
When you join LearnWPT.com for just $5 you'll get:
Join for $5 your First Month and starting investing in your game.
Knowing how and when to C-Bet, Continuation Raise, Float, and Check-Raise are the keys to getting a hold of chips and protecting your stack.
Understanding and mastering strategies such as Continuation Betting, Floating, Protecting C-Bets, and Check-Raising will give you the opportunities to exert skill edge against your opponents.
Practice your Continuation Betting decision-making skills now by reviewing the following collection of Poker Hand examples on how to effectively use the LearnWPT C-Betting strategy.
- When You Miss the Flop: Missed the Flop in a Multiway Pot
- C-Bet and Get Check-Raised: T♠T♥ vs a Check-Raise
- 3-Bet and Get a Single Caller: 6♠6♣ on the Flop
- Continuation Raising: K♠K♥ vs a Flop Bet
- Calling in Position vs C-Betting: A♥K♠ vs a Donk Bet
An effective C-Betting strategy that accounts for board texture, number of opponents, stack sizes, and likely hand ranges is an essential tool that separates amateurs from the Pros.
Understanding these critical concepts and how to apply them will put you in a position to take down uncontested pots through aggression, and provide a balanced approach to your postflop game plan.
Keep on practicing!
-LearnWPT
PS: a Membership with LearnWPT is the easiest and fastest way to add more levels of complexity and nuance to your game.
How are these scenarios helping your game?
Post your answers in the comments below.
P.S. With a $5 First Month of Membership you'll also receive our full library of game-changing videos which includes access to the concept Episodes on Position and Number of Opponents discussed in the Stealing Episode!
