How to Play with an Average Stack

Much of the time you will find yourself in the ‘comfort zone’ of holding an average stack in a multi-table tournament. The blinds are not yet so big as to be a concern and a mixture of small and large stacks are busy fighting for the pots at your table…

Many players make fundamental errors in exactly this scenario. These errors considerably reduce their chances of reaching the final table. This article discusses playing an average stack at the various stages of multi table tournament – and suggests some strategies to improve your chances of moving out of the ‘average’ zone.

We begin by looking at how an average stack is affected by the distribution of small and very big stacks in poker tournaments. Next we will look at the apparent gap between your current ‘comfort zone’ and overall objectives for the tournament. We then cover starting hand selection with an average stack and look at how the stack sizes of your opponents will influence how you play certain hands.

What is an Average Stack?

In a multi-table tournament an ‘average’ stack can mean many things. It will often be the case that an average stack will place you in the top 1/3rd of players. This is due to the effect of a few very large stacks and many small ones on the calculation of the average number of chips.

A better indicator that you have an average stack may well be to assess the number of big blinds you hold. Something in the range of 12 to 25 will restrict the flexibility you have with post-flop play – yet be good enough to not feel desperate.

Playing tight and waiting for cards with an average stack is usually a mistake. The rapidly increasing blinds and reducing number of players will mean your average stack can become dangerously small in a short space of time.

Your comfort is actually an illusion when we look at the objective for the tournament as a whole – to reach the big payouts of the final table. To do this you need to accumulate chips, keeping your head above the water will not be enough, as your remaining opponents have more chips themselves.

Accumulating chips as the blinds increase maintains flexibility in the way that you play. It enables you to play more post flop poker and to let you use your poker skills to their full advantage. As your stack reduces your options as far as starting hands and bet sizes go down – make sure you accumulate enough chips to keep these options open.

How to Play

With 25 big blinds you are able to play a wide variety of hands pre flop. As you move down in chips certain hands become less profitable. Suited connectors are the first to go along with suited hands containing high cards.

Small pairs – which require good implied-odds to be playable are no longer profitable for a raise as we move down below 20 big blinds. As you get to the 15 big blind range then be careful with your bets – calling a re-raise could easily commit to a pot due to the attractive pot-odds.

Aggression

Aggression and positive poker play before your stack gets smaller are the key components of average stacked multi-table tournament play. Make sure that you steal your share of blinds and small pots from good position.

Re-raise those players who ‘raise-light’ and fold early when the action in front of you gets heavy. In order to reach the final table you’ll need to accumulate chips. Folding and waiting for those ‘elusive aces’ is rarely going to achieve this objective.

To summarize, an average stack of 15 to 25 big blinds can be difficult to play. The best way to look at this is to consider your objectives for the tournament as a whole. Fight for the flexibility that a larger stack will bring you by playing positive and aggressive poker from good table position.

Ready to Play MTT's?

We have rated multiple different Internet Poker Rooms and have come up with an elite three for MTT play. Visit our Best MTT Poker Rooms page to get started.

Last: Playing a Big Stack | Next: Playing a Short Stack