Poker is an individual game. Every player has a unique style. Everyone employs their own techniques when playing. Some people play super tight and wait for solid hands to play strong. Others play super aggressive and will fire at will with anything. It all depends on your comfort level and how you prefer to play. But there are two times when everyone should play the same way. When you have a big stack and when you are short stacked.

Everyone fears the big stack at the table. If you happen to be this person, you have to use this power to your advantage. There is one thing every player has stuck in the back of their heads when they get involved with you: They know this hand could be there last. Most players are going to think twice about playing anything short of the nuts if you consistently throw raises out. If you bully around the table, not only are you going to be able to pull in most of the small pots, you are also going to have everyone wondering what you have, which you can use to your advantage in getting action when you really want it.

Conversely, when you are down to the felt, you have to go into panic mode. I do not mean panic mode by pushing all-in under the gun with the hammer. I mean you are probably going to have to push all-in with what is not the best hand at the time. You may have two live cards, like a TJ suited in late position. If it is folded around to you, this is a perfect time to push. Hopefully, you get no callers and steal the blinds. If not, you stand a good chance on being no worse than a 40% underdog. Once you get low in chips, seeing flops is no longer an option. You have to take chances to try and work your stack back up and become the big stacked bully.

Written by Jason Bisnett

Jason is a very experienced Poker Player. We are very happy to have him on our staff. To ask Jason a question, visit our Forum our email him at JBisnett@stackspokeronline.com