PokerStars is currently running its Turbo Series online tournament with over $25 million in guaranteed prize money waiting to be won. Have you ever played a turbo tournament before? Does the fast-paced structure scare you off? Or maybe you’ve tried the format in the past but it just didn’t work for you.
You should take note of the key strategies we have shared below and then have a crack at a few turbo tournaments to test out what you learnt. Even if you’re new to this high-speed format, or you’ve failed numerous times, you can still try again, achieve decent results and get the most value if you keep in mind the following pointers:
Ditch Patience
Patience is a virtue in regular speed tournaments, but when it comes to the turbo format, you can’t just sit there and wait. The fast-paced structure will require you to initiate the action, be aggressive, and win chips right at the start of the game.
If you’re used to playing regular tournaments, you might find it difficult to change your strategy, but you must stick to your goal – build your stack early by choosing aggression over patience. To do this, you must prepare yourself from the very first hand, raise as much as possible, and win chips by getting other players to fold.
Look for Re-Steal Opportunities
The rapid structure in turbo tournaments leads players to all-in situations much sooner compared to regular speed tournaments. Because of that, you won’t be able to see that much hands before you also find yourself becoming the short stack. The best that you can do is to make your hand work in your favor, regardless if you’re holding weak cards. One way to do this is to utilize those small edges and take advantage of re-steal scenarios. Again, avoid calling as much as possible. Consider raising when competing for a pot.
Learn More About Push/Fold Ranges and EV
Players who have better knowledge and understanding about push/fold ranges will more likely succeed in turbo tournaments than those who don’t. Knowing when to fold or shove your entire stack will help you big time when competing in fast-paced tournaments, and this skill involves determining your expected value (EV).
When you know how to calculate your EV from a certain action, you can then figure out whether it’s time to get those chips in the middle or just let the hand go. You can refer to a lot of free resources online to learn more about push/fold charts and EV.
Identify the Weaker Players
A number of general tournament advice also work in turbo tournaments, such as identifying the weaker players. Knowing who among your opponents are strong and weak will help you adjust your strategy. Focus more on the weaker players as you have better chances at winning pots against them.
Look for the Folders
It also helps if you also identify those who frequently fold. Oftentimes, this type of players fold after missing the flop; they fold gut shots, and give in to aggression. They are great targets when you you’re holding a weak hand.
Enter Turbo Tournaments via Satellites
If there’s an opportunity to get into turbo tournaments for a more affordable price, then go for it. For PokerStars‘ Turbo Series, satellites are running round the clock, giving you the chance to turn your small investment into massive winnings. Opportunities like this shouldn’t be missed especially if you’re just starting out with a small bankroll.
Play in Turbo Events That Are Scheduled Later in the Day
You may not be playing poker full-time; you have a day job and a family to spend time with, and this makes it quite difficult for you to play overnight, through to the wee hours of the morning.
However, unlike regular speed tournaments, the turbo format is a lot faster, so even if you take part in events that start in the evening, it will often conclude just before midnight, so you’ll still have time left for much-needed sleep to prepare for the next day.
Do you think you are ready to play your first turbo tournament? Check out the full schedule of the ongoing Turbo Series on PokerStars and start your journey from there!