Tournament Poker Satellite Strategy

If you want to play in major tournament poker events, you have two options: buy into the tournament for tens of thousands of dollars, or qualify via a satellite tournament. Most poker players cannot afford to buy in for huge amounts, and even if you could, it's never a good idea to risk a significant portion of your bankroll on a single tourney. So it's a good idea to look into satellites.

Many good players tend to snub satellite tournaments. This is a mistake because poker satellites not only save you money, they are also easier to "win" than normal tournaments. Why? Because in satellites, the goal is not to emerge as the lone winner. Your goal is to simply take one of the qualifying seats for the major tournament you are aiming for. In other words, you don't have to be number one. You just have to be in the top group of players and you are in. It's not about the money. It's about qualifying for a bigger event.

With that in mind, you can see how strategy for satellites must differ from normal tournament poker tactics. Below is a view of general strategy for these qualifying events.

Satellite Tournament Strategy

First of all, since you are not playing to "win," then taking gambles in the opening stage is a total no-no. With several qualifying seats available, you have bigger chances of making it so why waste that effort (and money)? Remember in poker, as in all gambling, the risks you take must be proportional to the rewards. In this case, the rewards are easier to obtain, so don't gamble unless you really have t.

So fold anything less than monster hands, and don't chase hands that miss the flop. If you raise and someone goes all-in, don't risk more of your chips. Don't call them unless you have an extremely good hand.

Middle Stage

The middle stage in satellites is different from the rest. It is the only one that really plays like a normal tournament. Here you ought to play more aggressively. You have outlasted most of the fish. Now you need to build your stack and eliminate whoever you can. The blinds are getting bigger so to compensate, you need more chips.

Late Stage

In the final stage, players with big stacks are going to just plod along. They think they are assured of seats (and they probably are) so they will play cautiously. You should take advantage of this and be more aggressive. These guys and gals won't mind because hey, they have the chips and they are in the lead. They can afford to lose a few blinds. You, however, should do it differently. If you play passive the blinds will cost you a lot. Be aggressive if you can afford to. However, beware when you are raised or re-raised. If someone raises in the end stage of a satellite, it must be very good indeed. It takes a lot to get a re-raise from a player who only needs a seat in the qualifier.