Bloggers / Matthew Pitt / 26 January 2009 / Leave a comment

When you first start playing poker, it is often advised to play a simple, tight "ABC" style in order to stay out of trouble or avoid difficult situations. The problem with playing like this is that it can quickly become boring and the style rarely wins tournaments.

"In order for the squeeze play to be successful, the conditions and table dynamics must be perfect, otherwise you will be risking a large portion of your chips on what is essentially a bluff."

In order to be a successful tournament player, you need to deviate from playing "standard" and add a few tricks to your arsenal. With the number of strategy forums, books, magazines and training sites available to players today it pays to be away of certain moves, even if you do not plan to use them.

Every single poker player knows the importance of accumulating chips during a tournament, after all, if they do not manage to build their stack to a sufficient size they will have little or no chance of making it to the money, never mind winning the entire thing.

One way of accumulating chips during a tournament is to employ a "Squeeze Play" at some point during proceeding. This move is nothing new but it first really came to light after the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event final table when Dan Harrington, famously, took a pot down with the lowly holding of six-two offsuit! (Youtube Vid)

In order for the squeeze play to be successful, the conditions and table dynamics must be perfect, otherwise you will be risking a large portion of your chips on what is essentially a bluff.

Firstly, your own image must be that of a tight, competent player. If you have been raising and re-raising of late or have been showing down sub-premium hands, the play is less likely to work as your opponents will call you lighter than usual.

Secondly, your stack size needs to be such that it could severely cripple or bust out your opponents. There is little point in trying a squeeze play if making it causes you to go all-in and your opponents have the correct odds to call you.

Finally, the size of your raise needs to be such that your opponents know they are playing for your or their entire stack. If there has been a raise of three big blinds and a call, then you want to be raising in the region of 15-20BB, often committing over half of your stack and telling your opponents you are prepared to go all the way with the hand. This means they need a monster hand to consider playing against you.

The hand Harrington was involved in was the perfect scenario. Everyone in poker knows he is a tight, conservative player so is unlikely to be getting out of line with weak hands. So after the table sees a raise from early position, a caller and then Harrington come over the top with a raise of almost half his stack, they have to believe he has Kings or even Aces here, a fact highlighted by the fact David Williams folds his Ace-Queen off-suit!

Whilst the move can be very profitable, it is advised to use it sparingly otherwise your opponents will catch on and you will be left in an unsavoury spot!

Related Entries

WSOPE: Squeeze Plays - Chris Edwards
The light bulb has finally come on in my brain - Dominic Kay
Too fat,Tufat and grinding it out - Matthew Pitt
The Squeeze Play - 2 2 Forums