Deep stack poker is a style of play in tournaments that allows players to make big bets with smaller hands than they normally would. This can be a challenging format to learn and master, but it is also one of the most profitable for players who can do so successfully.
The first thing to understand about deep stack poker is that position becomes more important than ever. Being the last to act gives you a huge advantage when it comes to playing this type of poker. This means that you should try to always be in position when possible and never fold to an opponent who is in the lead preflop.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will need to adjust your preflop ranges when you are playing with deeper stacks. This usually involves adding more suited connectors that can make nut hands to your range. This will help you build bigger pots on the flop and avoid getting called by worse hands.
It is also a good idea to be more aggressive and 3-bet preflop more often than you would normally. This is because you have more room to do so when playing with deep stacks. However, you should only do this with hands that have the potential to flop big and give you a good chance of winning. Small suited aces are a great example of this.
In addition to being more aggressive preflop, you will also want to use your position to your advantage on the flop and the turn. This will allow you to bully opponents out of pots and prevent them from getting into bad spots with weak hands like AK or KK.
You will also need to be more aware of your opponent’s actions and meta-game in deep stack situations. This will allow you to exploit the herd more effectively and put them in a tough spot. For instance, if an opponent is calling every bet you make on the flop and turning, you should consider putting them on a raise.
A final point to keep in mind is that top pair hands are not as valuable in deep stack poker as they are in shallower stack scenarios. This is because your opponent will be less willing to put a lot of money into a pot with a hand that you can easily beat.
Overall, deep stack poker can be a challenging format for many players to master. However, if you are serious about becoming a well-rounded tournament player, it is something that you will need to master at some point. With a little bit of practice, you will be able to adapt to this format and start making some huge bets in no time. Just remember to keep your cool and stay focused, and you will be able to do very well in this type of event. Good luck!
