Poker online tournaments are often the most entertaining and lucrative gambling options players can enjoy these days. The diverse selection of players, the lucrative prize pools, and the dynamic atmosphere turn tournaments into a great adventure you simply can't miss.
Now, the main question is: how can you win more when joining online poker tournaments? The first step towards dominating poker tournament tables is learning the correct lingo. Understanding what laddering is, how the bubble affects your play, and more will help you step your game up.
Now is your chance to learn all the basic terminology that will help you ace your next poker tournament event!
Poker Tournament Dictionary
So, what should you know about poker tournaments before you place money on the line? Here are a few definitions you must be familiar with:
- Laddering – In all poker tournaments, both those that take place online and offline, there is a winning ladder. Players who move up this ladder get an improved payout by the time they leave the table. For example, tournament organizers can determine that players who finish in 91-100 places will get a $150 prize, while those in 81-90 places will get $300. If you're currently in 91st place, but you manage to eliminate your competition and get the 90th spot, you will automatically get a payout jump.
- The Bubble – Every time you join a tournament comes a critical moment called the bubble. At this point in the game, the next eliminated player is the last to leave the table without any wins. Anyone who survives the bubble will get some cash out of their poker session. For example, if the tournament rules state that the 30 top players will win cash prizes and there are 31 players left – you've reached the bubble. That is an important stage of the tournament, as players are bound to amp the intensity up, as everyone wants to get paid. Players might change their strategies and playing tactics, so be vigilant and adjust accordingly.
- Counterfeit – Sometimes, you will face a situation in which the community cards won't devalue your hand – but they will still reduce your chances of getting the winning hand. Here's a classic example: Let's say you have a pair of 7's, and the community cards reveal ♥A, ♦A, ♣9, ♥ 9, ♠J. While you have two pairs, the two better pairs appear on the board, counterfeiting your hand. Anyone with higher cards than yours can easily outshine you. So, if you encounter such a situation, tread carefully. Maybe folding is the best way to go!
- Satellite events – We've all heard of satellite poker events, but what does it really mean? Those poker events usually have smaller buy-ins than the main tournament events. Those who win or place well at those events win a spot at the more expensive poker event without paying for the buy-in themselves. That allows players with fewer financial wins to enter high-stakes events with less risk!
- Drawing dead – When you decide to keep drawing even though you have no chances of getting a winning combo, you're drawing dead. For example, here's a possible scenario: you have ♥3 and ♦3, your opponent has ♣5 and ♥5, and the community cards show ♠5, ♦5, ♣J, ♦J. In this case, your opponent clearly has a 4-of-a-kind combination, but since you don't know that you might find yourself drawing dead in the hopes of getting a full house combination.
In Conclusion
There is a lot you should know about joining online poker tournaments. Learn as much as you can about playing poker in such a setting, and you will be able to make better and smarter decisions as you play!