Alway keep your eye on stack sizes
Beginner Tips
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Dave Allan /
04 March 2010 /
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Stack size defines your play for a large part, and a close watch on people's stacks and an understanding of the effect it has is crucial to success.
One thing you always have to keep track of at the poker table is the size of not only your stack, but the sizes of those around you. This is because poker is a game that frequently depends on stack sizes, and a play which can be perfectly legitimate against a big stack, can be a huge mistake against a small one, and vice versa.
You roughly have three ranges of stack size at the poker table, and each has certain features of it that it is crucial to have a basic understanding of.
The Small Stack
A small stack typically consists of roughly five to ten big blinds, and is effectively a one trick pony. The player can only realistically go all in or fold, so you will have zero post flop play against these players - making calling with speculative hands like suited connectors pointless.
The Middle Stack
Middle stacks have between ten and thirty big blinds, and occupy an awkward limbo between short and big stacks. There will be some post flop play, but not much, as they will only usually have a flop and/or turn bet left at maximum in a raised pot. Some of the more speculative hands of poker are playable against these players, but it can often be tricky proposition if they are on the shorter side of things - by far the hardest stack size to play/play against when you first start.
The Big Stack
Big stacks are anything from thirty blinds upwards, and as a result will always struggle to get their whole stack in pre flop. Against these players all your regular poker moves are possible, as there will always be plenty of play all the way to the river.
Remember if either you, or the opponent fits into these categories you need to make adjustments based on it. Stack size defines your play for a large part, and a close watch on people's stacks and an understanding of the effect it has is crucial to success.
Learn more in our Beginners Tips Section
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