Creating chaos in a sit n go hold'em tournament is my terminology for poker psychological warfare. This style of warfare is intended to provoke losing thoughts and emotions in your opponents. It is usually achieved by interrupting the normal, friendly, or peaceful flow of the game.
The idea is first to get your opponents distracted. That is, to get them to start thinking more about you than they are thinking about their game. Then, to keep them distracted. That is, to cause them to have continuing feelings, thoughts, or opinions about you.
Your mission should be thought of as a no-holds-barred effort to upset, insult, distract, intimidate, anger, deceive, mislead, influence, and offend your opponents.
You are seeking to ignite in them any of these typical negative emotions and distractive thoughts:
- Revenge
- Pride
- Greed
- Anger
- Fear
- Jealousy
- Curiosity
When you think about it, winning a tournament is a pretty simple matter.
Winning is nothing more than out lasting all of your opponents. Basically, all that is needed is for all of your opponents to be the first to make that one big mistake.
Creating chaos is essentially about adding a little lubrication in the right places at the right time to hasten that 'big one' for everyone else. Most of your opponents are borderline 'big one' cases anyway. All that is needed is a nudge in the right direction.
Usually, your opponents are already suffering one or more of these ailments:
- Illogical thinking
- Distraction
- Tilt
- Fatigue
- Inexperience
When you flavor the stew with a dash of chaos, their fatal big mistake will have begun to simmer.
Here are some tactics and situations for creating chaos:
1. Screen name and avatar.
You are likely already committed to a site name and avatar. But, if you get a second chance, consider their psychological impact before selecting.
For example, 'your worst nightmare' delivers one message, while 'country bumpkin' another. Either could be right depending upon your strategy.
And, consider the ultimate misdirection, as well. Some guys dress up as gals for a darn good reason.
2. Chat.
If you can smother your opponents in a barrage of misleading chat, and still play good poker, then more power to you. If not, then try the simple approach.
The next time an opponent chats 'nh' (nice hand) when you out play them, answer with 'ko' (kiss off) instead of 'ty' (thank you).
3. Bluffing.
Most opponents know when they are being bluffed. Initially, they can shrug off the bluffs. After all, bluffing is part of the game, especially in a no-limit tournament. And, they know that they cannot and should not call you down.
But, after awhile their emotions can override their logic. When your opponent cracks, be ready with a big hand.
4. Showing bluffs.
Showing a bluff can be tricky business. Any time you show your cards, that means you will have to change your playing style. In other words, in this case, no more bluffs after showing a bluff.
But, that is the point of showing a bluff. To enrage your opponent to extent that he will hurl himself into your 'big hand that looks like a bluff' trap.
5. Slow rolling.
Slow rolling your winning hand is a certain way to infuriate your opponent. Granted, slow rolling online is not possible. So, try his first cousin, slow calling with the nuts.
6. Slow playing.
Slow playing is different than slow calling. Slow playing is about deception. That is, it is about appearing to be hesitant and undecided in hopes of deceiving your opponent into playing more boldly. While slow calling is obvious to your opponent as an insult.
7. Re-stealing.
Any player who has had to fold their hand to a re-steal feels like they have just been jabbed in the eye with a sharp stick. For them, this is a moment of flaring emotions. And, usually anger and revenge are near the top.
Watch the victim carefully, as he will likely soon make a tilty play. And, if you were the re-stealer, keep up the pressure.
8. Time manipulation.
Nothing will apply pressure to your inexperienced opponents better than time manipulation. Two have already been mentioned, slow rolling and slow calling. And, there are several more, like playing fast when your opponent is playing slow.
But, the most devastating is to repeatedly run out your site's timer before acting on your hand. This one is most effective when you are on the bubble or in the money.
The shorter stacks will immediately feel the severe impact of fewer hands and rising blinds.
9. All-in pounding.
As an example, whenever it is just your small blind and the big blind, steal the pot with a push. After three or four times, you will be called. So, be ready with a big hand.
10. Uneven, odd, and specific bet amounts.
There is hardly a more intimidating bet, than betting the precise amount that will put your opponent all-in. The uneven and odd size bets are usually intended to provoke an opponent's curiosity.
Finally, a couple words of caution.
First, creating chaos will likely make you a target. The entire table will be silently plotting and hoping for your elimination. After all, you have alienated everyone of your opponents. So, stay aware, and be careful.
Second and most important, do not become distracted with playing this war game within the game. You must still maintain your focus on the task at hand, which is to play good poker.
Although, it never hurts when your opponents are unwitting accomplices to your success.
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Read my Article Review of this article, Creating Chaos in a Sit 'n' Go Hold'em Tournament.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
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