Since online poker tournaments have become so popular, many players have added a strategy known as “Small Ball Poker” to their repertoires. Although this style of play has been around for years, it was not until Dan Harrington coined the term in his book “Harrington on Hold’em” that it was given a specific name.
Widen your starting hand selections
Considered an advanced level of game theory, small ball poker involves opening up your range of starting hands to include more cards, while at the same time only using small bets and raises as a way of minimising potential losses.
Since you can lose a consistent stream of chips if the deck runs cold, small ball poker is recommended in multi-table tournaments that feature large starting stacks. The extra chips give you more flexibility to be creative with starting hands and plays.
In cash games or SNG’s the strategy could quickly result in you giving away chips quickly. This is also a good strategy if you play in multi-tournaments simultaneously, though you should read up on how to play multi-table events before you make any attempts.
The Best Positions for Small Ball Poker
On top of seeing lots of flops and hopefully landing deceptive hands, small ball poker enables smart players to develop a very specific table image. Since you are involved in so many pots, small ball poker gives the illusion that you are a loose player.
The advantages are that you find many opponents who will try and go after you with weaker hands or try to play back at you just as aggressively.
Now, when you get a premium hand, you can continue to follow the guidelines of your table image and appear to be playing loose, only this time you will be in a position to trap opponents that normally see you playing any two cards.
Using Your Image and Position to Set Up Traps
To avoid giving away chips, small ball poker is best used when you are in good position. There is no point in making a minimum raise in early position with J-10 offsuit, as there is almost no way you can ever win the pot in a showdown, unless you are extremely lucky.
By utilising these techniques in late-mid and late position, you will be able to suck in opponents with marginal hands, who do not want to be pushed around by someone that appears to be playing every hand dealt to them.
Key Points
• Open up your range of starting hand selections.
• Minimise risks by making small bets and raises.
• Play mostly in middle and late position. Avoid early position bets/raises.
• Use your loose table image to set up trapping opportunities.
