Tournament Strategies
After receiving pocket cards, you are immediately faced with a choice: play your cards and either raise or call the blinds, or fold.
Practice Matters
You will occasionally encounter weak, passive players
You will occasionally encounter weak, passive players that play few hands and usually check with their entire range. They can be tough to play against because they seldom fold if they have any piece of the flop. While they act weak, their range might actually be strong. Tend to bet smaller than normal against these players, and continuation-bet every flop that most likely missed their range. If they call on the flop and don’t seem like they are going to fold, check down weaker holdings and value-bet relentlessly with made hands. Hands like middle pair with a good kicker go up in value against these players and can occasionally be bet on every street for value. Again, it is important to know your opponent because if you misjudge his style, value-betting middle pair on every street can be a costly mistake.
You may also run into tight, passive opponents
You may also run into tight, passive opponents that play very straightforwardly after the flop. They will call or raise when they hit and fold when they miss. Tend to bet the flop when these players check, but consider giving up if they call unless the board becomes scary, as they will seldom fold. Continuation-bet every time because they will fold about 2/3 of the time, and when they do call, you can get maximum value when you make a strong hand.