Texas Holdem Tournament: How to Play on the Final Table

So, you have worked your way up to the final table. Caught a few good hands, made bluff calls that worked, and even went all-in a couple of times to finally hear the words, "Final table"! If you never been to the final table before, this is a great introduction and know-how on how to survive, as well as win. Most of the time, the first players to go out on the final table are players who are playing in the same style as they were playing to get there in the first place. This is also their biggest mistake. Getting to the final table is a great challenge, but winning the final table is often a bigger challenge because of the number of players and how bad the odds change.

A great rule of thumb to begin with, is to know the the odds change greatly with each man out. your cards are going to be played a lot tighter than before because the blinds and bets are astronomical and the chances of you calling a raise beckons with the reasoning that you are probably going to be all-in.

Playing Tight

This is the best advise to give anyone when it comes to playing at the final table. The chip bet is enormous and by chip count alone, any bet is a dangerous one. No one is gonna freak if you fold a hand that hit on the flop. as far as you know, your opponent probably hit a better hand. I've even been known to fold the small blind to keep as many chips as I can. Going all-in with 7 chips is better than going all-in with three.

With Any Ace

Up until the final table, Ace-rag is almost always played with skepticism. During the rounds for final table, though, Ace-rag takes on a new meaning. Most people feel that with the odds at bay, an Ace-anything, they're likely to win. Calls are rarely met during the final table, unless the opponent(s) can either afford the bet, or afford the beat. With Ace-rag, though, you have to be very careful, unless you have a great position, though.

All-in on any pair?

On the final table, a lot of your players will raise heavy on a pocket pair. The only calls you will see on this bet is bigger pairs, unless someone wants to truly gamble. Pocket threes and fours might be king for a raise, but remember, everyone at that table wants you out now, and if they can afford the call, you are in trouble.

Chasing

Since you know to play tight at the final table, it's best not to chase a straight or a flush on the river card. Granted, position always plays a major role at the final table, most chases are better left in the muck.

Other players chips

The best advise I ever taught involved seeing your opponents chip count. I have won more tournaments folding good hands and letting the opponents get blinded out more than any other move. For example, If I'm behind the dealer, and there are eight players left, chances are, I'm gonna fold. On the last tournament I won, (03-29-2010), I watched five players get blinded out before I had to bet the big blind. I was even dealt pocket nines, but folded, knowing that the players behind me only had a few chips left. On the final table, a lot of players will even go All-in if they have very few chips left. This is not good for you if you already made a call. This is why I ALWAYS pay attention to chips I'm playing against, as well as the players.

OVERALL

Personally, i never have been the kind to split-chop the pot. I am famous for splitting the pot fair and square though, knowing that if anyone has gotten that far on the table, they should receive the same amount as anyone else. This is an option best taken in my personal opinion. Remember, during the final table, all it takes is three-four hands to turn the leader into the follower. I always felt also, that it's always better to walk away with something, rather than nothing at all.