Stack Size and Decisions in NL Holdem Poker
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by: JohnSplash
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Word Count: 538
This hand will demonstrate why chip stacks affect correct play. You're playing $1/$2 NL holdem. No one has played and it's your turn from the small blind. You have $500 and 4,4. The big blind has a small stack of $25 so an all in play is fine. This will be a winning play in the long run.
But, let's say the big blind has $500. Then going all in would be a very risky play. Although you would win the blinds most of the time, you will also lose most of the time when you get called. Who wants to risk $500 to win $3?
How about this. Would you put $100k in there for the $3. If the only hand that calls you is A,A (1/220 times), this is what happens. You win three dollars 219 times and then, bam, you go broke.
If you could convince the guy with a $25 stack to only play A,A you can push all in and make money consistently. You will show a nice profit even without ever winning when he has A,A.
Now, let's say you have 3,3 with $500. The blinds are $1/$2 and you limp in. The BB raises to $10. Depending on his stack you could call, fold, or raise.
With a $15 stack you could do any of the three choices. It would depend on your read of this opponent. Now, when his stack is $40 this becomes an easy fold.
You will make a set one in eight times and will only make at most five times the amount of the call. If he has $500, you can call for sure, or even raise if you want to represent a stronger hand. There are enough chips to win when you hit the flop to make calling profitable. Reraising will further scare your opponent.
6,7 suited is a hand that you should play when everyone has a lot of chips. There is plenty of money availiable to get big profits when you catch a monster. When no one has very many chips, you can't make enough money when you hit the hand.
When you have a big pocket pair, like A,A or K,K you can find yourself in some tough situations. This hits home when when everyone has a lot of chips. These hands can be tough to fold after the flop and can be very costly when your opponent hits and you don't.
When stacks are short, you can play these hands all the way. You won't be risking a huge chipstack with just a pair. Often the preflop bets will get you all in or to a point where you can push after the flop. So, this is an easier situation for playing with big pairs.
Now you should see why everyone is affected by stack sizes. When you get many different stack sizes at once, it gets tricky. Still, you have to sort it out to the best of your ability to make the right play.
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