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 Interesting post
I frequent several poker forums, and a local one recently had this interesting post on it. I thought you guys might enjoy it too.
 Originally Posted by Bruno
At a recent tournament, a friend and I were discussing strategies, and I brought up the topic of ‘Table Dynamics’. I was a bit surprised that, being as he was what I considered an excellent player with several local cash tourney money finishes, he had not heard of this concept. He encouraged me to post some thoughts here. I in no way claim that most of what follows is mine (I.E.: I didn’t invent this). Most of that which follows came from discussions I had with several top on-line players and a couple of very good cash game players. That said, I hope that what follows is of some value to those who choose to read it……
As most players are aware, there is no "magic system" that once learned suddenly allows you to win poker tournaments. Poker is not a game of perfect where the best players win all the time (e.g. chess). Poker is a game of making the best decisions possible, given incomplete information. Luck does play a big part in WINNING a tournament (not getting to the final table, mind you, you can get there even if you are running bad or catching cold cards). Here is what I think is the true "key" to tournament play (I feel it is the single most important advanced concept a tournament player needs to master in order to win tournaments): In tournament play, each individual tournament table has its own unique dynamic (how each of the players interact with each other and interact as a whole) dictating the style of play that will ultimately get the chips AT THAT TABLE. When you are moved to another table, you are faced with a separate and distinct unique TABLE DYNAMIC. During Tournament play, you must CHANGE YOUR GAME to take full advantage of each and every unique TABLE DYNAMIC you are challenged with.
Here are the problems with the general application of this concept: (1) Most players never consider table dynamics in devising their tournament strategy. (2) The smattering of players who recognize that table dynamics are important do not have the skill and/or experience to deduce what method of play will get the chips and are unable to take advantage of the table dynamic. (3) The very limited number of players who do recognize the importance of table dynamics AND who can deduce the correct method of play for that dynamic generally are not capable of adjusting their play sufficiently to take full advantage of that dynamic. (4) The true champion players (and it is a short list) recognize the importance of table dynamics, recognize the style of play that will get the chips in light of that dynamic, have the necessary style in their poker arsenal to adjust to that dynamic, and utilize all of the above to their full advantage. (5) THESE CHAMPION PLAYERS, by taking full advantage of each unique table dynamic they are confronted with during a tournament, PUT THEMSELVES IN A POSITION TO GET "LUCKY" MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN RANDOM CHANCE DICTATES. Of course you first need to be a very good player for this type of advanced strategy to matter.
The “play only Big hands, and aggressively” strategy is a fine and profitable strategy for ANYONE, beginner or professional, for the type of cash games in which they employ it. Their strategy fits into the theorem, as they have devised a profitable way of accumulating chips according to the game in which they are playing. The beginning player needs to play tighter (as his experience level is small), and I would highly recommend this style for the beginning player. But what I am discussing here is how to win tournaments. At some point in virtually every tournament, the fish are gone. What do you do when your good hands do not get paid off?
To that end, here are some examples, or scenarios if you prefer, of what I perceive to be "Table Dynamics”. Player A, one seat to my left loves to raise my small blind especially when we are heads up and I love having him do it. I love it because I know that eventually he will raise when I have a hand and will call when I reraise and in most instances pay the hand off handsomely. So, I will play both the blinds and the button soft against this person knowing that any money I give him will generally be returned with interests. This is a perfect example of a situation where it is better to give than to receive, eventually. Player B, two seats to my left is a calling station and there is very little to be gained by making any raises, button blind or otherwise without a premium hand and a hand that is also hit strongly by the flop. They are going to call regardless and will "defend" their blinds with an almost religious fervor. If the hand is checked to them, regardless of how many players or the situation, they will probably raise in an attempt to win the pot without regard to the cards they hold. Player C, three seats to my left is a serious student of the game and a dangerous player in all regards. Her stack at the moment is moderate, but she can be counted on to use that stack to her best advantage in most situations. This is a player that I will not enter into a pot with unless absolutely necessary and even then, only when conditions are clearly to my advantage more so than normal. I suspect that we respect each others games and both of us will be targeting easier seats avoiding each other if possible, each hoping the other is crippled or knocked out by someone else. Player D, four seats to my left is solid, but extremely short stacked at the moment. He will be looking for a place before the blinds get back to him in this next round to get all of his chips in to try and double up. I must be prepared to call his all-in raise any time I enter a pot during the next round until he is either knocked our or rebuilds his stack. Players A and B will be totally oblivious to player D’s situation and nothing can be indicated by their play prior to Player D’s action. Player E is still chirping at Player A regarding what Player E perceives to be a terrible play Player A made earlier (it was), and is telling Player A that he will “get him“…etc…etc. Add in some other factors such as relative stack sizes, size of blinds, antes, time, each player's current emotional state, your current table image, etc. and I think you get what I’m driving at.
Here is an example of a using the concept of Table Dynamics to your advantage: Early in the tournament, blinds are $100-$200 with a $25 ante. UTG player has $300, is a very solid player, and I know he will push it in with any picture cards. He pushes allin for $300. Average stack at this table is $1500. Two players I will respectfully peg as weak-tight (definition: will not put it allin without close to the nuts) call with their average stacks, probably figuring this will be a showdown hand. All fold to me on the button. I haven't looked at my cards yet and the 2 blind hands appear resigned to folding. I take a peak at A7 off and immediately push my $900 stack in. When I make this move, there was $1425 in the pot. My allin move makes the pot $2325, but I know the first limper will fold anything but AA, KK, QQ and MAYBE AK (which I believe he would have raised rather than limped), and I know the 2nd limper will fold no matter what, which gets me heads up against the allin player. They can't get their hands in the muck fast enough. Cards are turned up. K10 for the allin player, I show my A7, and the board comes QJ252 and my ace hi takes it down. First limper claims he had AJ, second limper said he had KQ. Both would have beaten me. Both tell me how bad my play was as I stack the $2000 pot. My play was based on several factors: (1) All in player is going in with any mediocre hand or better because he is faced with putting $225 of his $300 stack on the next hand (2) The two limpers are weak-tight and would have raised premium hands because they fear getting drawn out on, so I feel very secure they will fold to an allin raise. (3) Blinds are $100-$200 with $25 antes. Average stack is $2000. This is a "must move" time (double up or get up and go home) in this tournament. It costs $525 per round to post and fold, so you have to win a hand every round, whether by stealing or showing down a winner. You absolutely cannot allow yourself to ante off, so if I find a decent hand, I will play it strong. This was the perfect spot for this move based on the aforementioned dynamics. (4) My only real fear here is if the blinds wake up with a hand, but they both had looked at their cards and it looked like they would muck (it is always a good idea to watch the players who are on your left to try and get a read on what they will do since they act after you).
In this spot the range of hands has to be a little stronger than your normal muscle/bluff raise because you do not have either of the limpers covered and of course you have to win a showdown against the allin player for 30% of your stack. In fact, most players think everyone plays the same way that they do. In other words, the two gutless/weaktight limpers would think to themselves, "I would not push it allin in the face of an allin player and two limpers who have my stack covered and risk an early bustout unless I have a big PP or AK, so that's what the raiser must have." I move here with any ace, any pair, or KQ.
So how long after you've sat down with a bunch of strangers do you feel comfortable with your read of the table dynamic? I would say two orbits around the table is sufficient to get a read on the majority of players in tournament play. This may take longer in the beginning of your efforts, but with some practice at this, I would say two orbits. One of the great advantages in Tournament Play, is to be at the same table for most (or all) of the tournament, because you are seldom (or never) faced with the problem of being the new person at a table and having to learn the TABLE DYNAMICS of your new table, while everyone else at the table has already figured them out (assuming that they are cognizant of such topics).
So what does this mean to your strategy? You need to have unlimited modes of play! Every table is unique and you should adjust your playing style at each and every table you are at, in order to maximize your opportunities to acquire the chips. Some tables you will need to be hyper aggressive, some tables you must be a calling-station, some tables you will need to be something else. Sometimes I make bad decisions, and sometimes I make good decisions that do not work out, but I try to play in a manner I feel is most likely to get me chips at the particular table I am at.
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