MTT Poker Tournament Strategy

Introduction

Poker Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) allow players to win big by outlasting hundreds or thousands of opponents. Success on the tables requires an in-depth understanding of MMT Poker strategy, skill, and patience.

This article will cover some ‘game-changing’ strategies to help you make a deep run.

What is a Multi-table tournament in Poker?

MTTs are tournaments with multiple tables, each holding a certain number of players. As the tournament progresses, tables consolidate as players are eliminated, eventually leading to a final table with the remaining players. Depending on the number of entrants and the pace of the tournament, MTTs can take several hours or even days to complete.

Multi-Table Tournament Strategies

Poker MMT strategy involves tactics for success in tournaments with large player fields. Unlike cash games, MMTs require adjusting strategies based on various stages of the tournament, from early to late.

The following outlines a general MMT Poker strategy, broken down by stages.

Early Stage Strategy

In the early stages of an MMT, blinds are low relative to stack sizes, and the primary goal is to accumulate chips without risking your stack unnecessarily. Players tend to be more conservative early on, which allows you to apply pressure with a wider range of hands.

Tips to Play from the Early Stage:

• Tight but Aggressive: Play solid hands, but when you enter pots, do so aggressively. You want to build your stack without being too reckless.
• Position Awareness: Position becomes crucial. Play tighter from early positions (UTG, MP), and expand your range in late positions (cutoff, button).
• Avoid Big Risks: Avoid big all-ins unless you have a premium hand or a strong read. The goal in this phase is survival.

Example:

• Early Position: You are in early position with 77. Most of your range should consist of premium hands like AA, KK, AK, etc., but with pocket 77, you can still play, especially in a 10-handed tournament. Raise a standard amount, but consider folding if you face a re-raise (3-bet).
• Late Position: With 87s on the button, you can raise or call a small raise from an early position, as your hand has the potential to connect with the board (flushes, straights). Be aware of your opponent's tendencies before making this play.

Middle Stage Strategy

As the tournament progresses, blinds increase, and players tighten up to avoid elimination. Here, you should focus on accumulating chips to give yourself a strong stack for the late game, but also avoid overcommitting with marginal hands.

Tips to Play from the Middle Stage:

• Increased Aggression: Increase aggression to accumulate chips, especially in blind-versus-blind situations. Many players will be focused on survival, so this is a good time to steal blinds and antes.
• Steal and Re-steal: In a late position, open-raising with a wide range of hands (like suited connectors or one-gap connectors) can force your opponents to fold weaker hands. Conversely, if an opponent is frequently stealing, look for opportunities to re-steal with a strong hand or a well-timed semi-bluff.
• Pot Control: In medium-stack situations, control the pot size to avoid committing your stack with marginal hands.

Example:

• Middle Position: You have QJo, and there's an open raise from an early position player. You can confidently call this hand in the middle position, especially if you believe the original raiser has a wide range. You are looking to hit the top pair or a straight.
• Late Position (Blinds steal): You are in the cutoff with 65s, and the hijack player raises. You can call to set mine or re-raise to steal the blinds in this spot. If the original raiser has a weak range, an aggressive re-raise will likely force them to fold.

Late Stage Strategy

The late stage of an MMT is where the game shifts drastically. The bubble (the point at which players will soon start to cash) is approaching, and players with medium stacks must decide whether to take risks to build chips or play conservatively.

Tips to Play from Late Stage:

• Shove/Fold Decision Making: With rising blinds, it is often better to push all in with hands that have decent equity rather than limping or calling raises. This strategy helps you take advantage of fold equity.
• Stack Size Consideration: Players need to adjust based on their stack size. Short stacks will have to play aggressively, while players with larger stacks can afford to be more patient but still capitalize on situations where they can eliminate opponents.

Example:

• Shoving: You are on the button with 15 big blinds and pocket 99. The blinds are high, and many players at the table are in the same position (looking to protect their stacks). You can shove your 99 confidently to get called by worse hands or steal the blinds.
• Bluffing: In a similar scenario, if you are holding suited connectors like 56s, this is a good spot to attempt a steal by shoving. The fold equity in the late stages is strong, and a shove could force even premium hands to fold if you’re seen as a constant aggressor.

Final Table Strategy

There is more pressure at the final table with a smaller field remaining. Here, you must switch to a strategy that balances aggression with caution, as any mistake can result in elimination.

How to Play at Final Table:

• Adjust to Opponents: Pay close attention to your final-table opponents' tendencies. If some players are ultra-tight, steal more from them. If they are aggressive, be ready to trap them with premium hands.
• Situation on the Final Table: The first few hands after you reach the final table are important. There are often a lot of tentative players, so you can pick up pots easily. But don’t get overconfident – understand the value of your stack and position.

Example:

• Bluffing at the Final Table: You are in the small blind with a stack of 20 BB and K9o. The player in the big blind is a weak player who folds too often. You can shove your K9o to steal the blinds, knowing your opponent is likely to fold, but be aware of any player behind you with a strong stack who might call your shove.
• Survival vs. Aggression: In the final stages, with 10 big blinds, you might want to double up with hands like A9o. You want to push when you have fold equity, but don’t get reckless. If you are in the middle of the pack, survival is key until you reach a favourable spot to accumulate chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best opening hand strategy in the early stages of MTTs?

Playing a tight-aggressive style in the early stages is best, focusing on strong hands like high pairs and premium-suited connectors. Since blinds are low, avoid speculative hands unless the pot odds are favourable. Observe opponents to plan for later stages.

How to adjust your Poker MTT strategy as blinds increase?

As blinds increase, you need to open up your range and become more aggressive, especially if you have a medium or large stack. Look to steal blinds and antes to maintain a healthy stack while playing tighter if your stack is short.

How to play on the bubble?

On the bubble, many players tighten up to secure a cash finish, creating opportunities for aggression. If you have a healthy stack, use this stage to steal blinds from cautious players. If you are short-stacked, choose strong hands to go all-in.

Conclusion

Poker MMT strategy requires an adaptable mindset, where you shift your approach based on the tournament stage, stack sizes, and the playing style of your opponents. The early stage requires a solid, conservative approach, while the late and final stages demand increased aggression. Properly applying these strategies will increase your chances of going deep and potentially winning the tournament.