05- 3-04, LearnTexasHoldem:

Short Handed Play Compared To Regular

Question: Thank you so much for the quick reply. Your site has just a wealth. I have only been studying poker since January, and am just starting to make money. My next question is about how my play should change at a short handed table, like at the end of a tourney. I know to loosen my play, but I think I end up becoming too aggressive. My success is hit a miss. Don't worry, I don't plan to wear you out with questions.

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Answer: Thanks for the question Kirby. You are correct in loosening up considerably when the table is shorthanded (5 people or less). Tournament play and regular ring play are a little different but the main concepts apply:

1. Since there are fewer cards available, the chance of someone having a big hand go down. Because of this, the game becomes much more aggressive and people play more cards. Middle pair or second pair is often a good hand.

2. Position goes up even more in value because most of the time, no one will catch anything on the flop and a bet will often win.

3. Bluffing and semi-bluffing go up in value for the same reasons as above. In tournament play you may not semi-bluff as much because one hit and you are out of the running but it still is necessary.

I wouldn't beat yourself up too much if you get down to three players in a tourney and then get busted out. At that point, when the blinds are so high, you have to play or you'll bleed out. An example that just came to mind was last weeks WPT when some poor guy finally caught AK heads up but then lost to Q3. What more can you really do? The answer is nothing! Short handed play is very volatile and you'll have big swings. Sometimes it just isn't in the cards to win so you do your best and hope for the best.

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