MTT Stack Management: Thrive in Tournaments

Chip stack management is paramount in Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs). Your stack size dictates your strategy, dictating whether you're playing for survival, accumulation, or applying pressure.

Early Stages: Accumulate, Don't Speculate

In the early stages, blinds are small relative to your stack. This is not the time for risky plays.

• Play Tight-Aggressive: Focus on premium hands and strong draws. Avoid speculative hands unless you can see a cheap flop and have good implied odds.
• Build Your Stack: Your goal is to accumulate chips, but don't risk your entire tournament life for a small pot.
• Observe Opponents: This is a crucial time to gather information on how your opponents play.

Middle Stages: Adapt and Accelerate

As blinds increase, your stack becomes more dynamic.

• Steal Blinds: Start incorporating more blind stealing and re-stealing into your game, especially from late position.
• Target Weaker Players: Identify players who are playing too tight or too loose and exploit their tendencies.
• Adjust to ICM: As you approach the money bubble, ICM considerations become more important. Be aware of other stack sizes at your table.

Late Stages & Final Table: Aggression is Key

This is where the money is made, and aggression is often rewarded.

• Open Wider: Open your pre-flop raising range, especially from late position.
• 3-Bet and 4-Bet More: Put pressure on your opponents with aggressive pre-flop raises.
• Pay Attention to Payouts: At the final table, understand the payout structure. This will influence whether you take more risks for the win or play tighter for a higher ladder spot.
• Short Stack Strategy: If you become short-stacked, move into "shove or fold" mode. Find a good spot with some fold equity or a decent hand and commit.