Poker: Poker tournaments

As a no-limit tournament poker author, one of the common questions I get from players goes something like this:

"I am doing well in the poker tournament and first place is $10,000. The event pays 18 players, and we are down to 27 players. I have about 20 times the big blind in chips. And the player to my left is the chip leader with like 60 times the big blind.

On the button everyone folds to me and I have A-8 suited, so I put in a raise. The chip leader re-raises me big so I fold. The next hand everyone folds to me and I raise with A-9. Again, the chip leader re-raises me big. I don't want to get knocked out, so I fold again.

I realize I have to play different with this guy re-raising me, so I tighten up. I wait for a stronger hand. Four more players get knocked out.

Poker: Poker tournaments

I am back on the button and I get J-9 suited of hearts. I decide to just limp since I'm afraid of that guy re-raising me. He folds in the small blind and the big blind calls.

The flop is Q-9-4 with 2 hearts. I have a flush draw and second pair. The big blind checks and I bet 70% of the pot. The big blind moves all-in. It will cost me all of my chips to call. I call. He has 9-4 for two pair. I don't get any help, and I'm out.

What did I do wrong?"

The answer is that you let an opponent intimidate you and change your game. Call it the "I" factor. The correct play on the button is to raise. You want to steal the blinds not see a flop.

If you do get re-raised by the chip leader, consider moving all-in if your all-in bet is big enough in chips to get him to fold. If not, depending on your chip stack compared to the blinds and antes, the right play may have been to move all-in pre-flop.

Don't let your opponents put you off your game. Don't be intimidated.