stack size in limit tourneys

peteski

In no-limit tourneys, the size of one's stack is an important factor in any decision.  Should stack size also be a big factor in limit tourneys?  I haven't really been considering that, but it occured to me that perhaps I should.  For example, if I have a big stack should I be more aggressive because I can afford to mix it up, or should I play tighter because I'm not being pressed to mix it up?  What about with a small or medium stack?

adammc

Your stack size is just as important in limit. Fold equity is an important determinant in a NL tournament stack size decision, as getting ground down to the point where you don't even have that is an extremely poor scenario. Generally in limit, you have to find a hand shortstacked and ram with it due to the price you will be getting regardless of a flop, for instance AllAces deuces in the WSOP this year.

And as far as raising with ai big stack etc. it completely pertains to your table. If it is passive raise and steal, if it is an awful loose table then you aren't going to be stealing many pots. So the answer as it always is, is it depends.

Anyways, good luck.

moose

I think position is more important as it relates to stack size in limit tourneys. Multiway am very careful to avoid situations where I am between 2 players in a hand as they can raise and reraise me endlessly out of a pot. I never call in those situations with a drawing hand. You must either raise or fold.

Heads up, a short stacked player betting out without position must have a made hand otherwise they are risking being raised out or put allin by the player acting last. They can't really bet out as a bluff into a higher stack. In NL a short stack can force the issue by sticking in all their chips on a bluff or semi-bluff but a limit player does not have this option.

If you are the larger stack and acting last, sometimes it is better to give a free card and make a turn bet bluff, otherwise you may pot commit a short stacked player by forcing them to call a flop bet.

Dave Scharf

You want a stack that is big enough that you can bet/raise on every street. Generally a stack of 10 x BB will be a "full threat." In other words, you opponent will know that you you can charge him the maximum to play the hand.

How big is your stack? This will generally cause me to change my strategy. If I am small stacked I am looking for a hand. If I am medium stacked I have some room to maneuver. If I am big stacked I can deploy the high variance package (if I think table conditions warrant it).