Fri, 02/25/2011 – 03:36 – PokerPages Staff

#5 – Change in betting pattern
You cannot see your opponents’ faces online but you can watch their deeds.  A sudden change in playing pattern is a good sign of weakness; someone who has been smoothly playing several tables simultaneously will send out a message if they suddenly stall.  The reverse is also true.  Something’s up.

#4 – Virtual Tilt
Forget about the more colorful pros you have seen on the net or on TV.  If a player is ranting and bullying online, he substituting words for intimidating looks – and telling you he is a bad player.  Some will rage about they’re geniuses being thwarted by rigged software – but then, a bad workman always blames his tools.  However, keep your cool – he is just told he is playing on tilt and will probably lose.  Big-time.

#3 – Bad Behavior Bragging
This is related to #4.  Anyone who seems proud of the fact their chat has been revoked is trying to say, “I’m the daddy.”  However, he is actually saying, “It doesn’t take much to get me on tilt.”  Try complementing the winning hand politely – the bad behavior bragger will likely go into meltdown.

#2 – The Einstein Syndrome
Anyone who wishes to impart his genius-level knowledge of the game to all and sundry is again trying to say one thing (“Bow before the Master”) but actually ends up saying something totally different – “I’m compensating for being an ignoramus.”  You can usually tell, because this gold-plated advice is usually revealed in moments as disastrously wrong.

#1 – Carping and Gloating
Copper-bottomed tells, these: players who whine endlessly about their online misfortunes to a bunch of virtual strangers who do not want to know are openly declaring their feebleness as players.  Equally, if a player has to brag after a win, the chances are that he is a weak-tight player (consistent winners just don’t need to boast).

Tue, 01/25/2011 – 01:52 – PokerPages Staff

Surviving in a tournament when short stacked requires a different approach to the game.  Knowing a few poker rules may help you boost your chip standing.  Often, the beginner poker player will not make changes to their strategy when short stacked.  Moreover, the beginner frequently resigns himself to a loss and tilts away their remaining chips.  To survive and get back in contention necessitates a change in strategy.  

What exactly is short stacked?  The definition of short stacked ranges from 4-5 big blinds to 4-5M, where M equals the amount you would lose by sitting out for once around the table, thus M=BB+SM+sum of antes. 

When short stacked you want to play strong hands and you want to be in early position.  Hand selection should be strong, as to not be easily dominated by an opponent.  For example, suited connectors may have a better shot at the pot than a weak ace.  Also, you want to be the first in the pot.  By pushing all-in first and from early position, you are not expecting a call. 

If you are really short stacked (less than defined above), you should move all-in with a better than average showdown hand, as you are likely to be called due to the low amount of chips.  Play hands that are more likely to give you a higher winning hand at the showdown, such as trips. 

The key to playing short stacked is to not panic.  By altering your approach to the game you stand a better chance of surviving in the tournament.  Further, by simply surviving you allow for the possibility of getting a monster hand that will put you back into contention.

To learn more, check out PokerSchoolOnline, the best source on the internet for poker related learning.  Then put those skills to work by playing for free at PokerStars.net.