Making your bets properly is crucial to tournament success. Many newbies make mistakes in this area and ends up costing them the game. Your bet amounts and your betting strategy both make a big difference.

Bet the Same Amount No Matter What Hand You Have

If you raise 5x BB on a good hand, 3x BB (to slowplay) on AA and KK and 6x BB when you’re bluffing, an astute player will be able to read you very quickly.

Don’t make this mistake. Establish an amount that you’ll normally raise and stick with that amount no matter what kind of hand you have.

Bet the Value of Your Hand

Most people try to get far too clever when they’re betting. They’ll try and figure out if the opponent has a weak hand so they can bluff. Or they’ll check in hopes that their opponent will bet so they can check raise.

In reality, “clever” plays should be used only every once in a while. It shouldn’t be the norm. In general, bet the value of your hand. If you have trips, bet out. If you have nothing and your opponent bets, fold.

Don’t Bluff in Early and Mid Game

In the early and middle game, play tight and aggressive. Bluffing is a surefire way to lose your shirt. Even if you only get called 30% of the time, getting called when you don’t have a hand will cost you a lot of chips.

In the late game, you have no choice but to bet subpar hands. The blinds won’t allow you to sit and wait for good hands. In the late game, it becomes more about picking the right hands to go aggressive on.

Understand the M Concept

Your “M” is the multiple of how much it costs to play one round. So if the SB is 500 chips and the BB is 1000 chips and you have 15,000 chips, then your M is 10.

When your M is above 20, you can play very conservatively. Play only premium hands and avoid playing in early and mid positions.

When your M gets to 15, it’s time to loosen up and get a little more aggressive. Steal blinds as much as you can. When your M gets to 10, play very loose and very aggressive. In mid position, raise with hands like A7o. Basically, you’re now in the “danger zone.”

When your M gets to 5, that’s your all in zone. Pick the best hand you think you’ll have of the round and go all in. If you’re UTG, go all in no matter what you have. Do not take the blinds without going all in.

These are some of the basic betting strategies of Hold’em tournaments. Follow these strategies and you’re sure to set yourself ahead of most other players.

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