Changing Gears, A Winning Poker Tip

First of all, you must know what changing gears exactly mean in terms of playing poker. In poker, changing gears means changing up the speed in how you play, whether you play fast or aggressive of slow and tight. When you play poker, we recommend you to change gears more often so that your opponents can have a wrong idea on what you are holding. If you have been playing tight for a moment and you change gears with some solid bluffs, it can reward you some good pots. If you have been making so many actions it may be a good idea to slow down and then making a big bet when you have something, as other players may thing you don’t have much as you have been playing many hands.

While playing in poker tournaments, the game will change as the players change, there will be a few players and the blinds will go up. As tournament game play changes, you make like to change gears more frequently.

In tournament poker, you may like to change gears at three times:

When you are sitting at a steady table: When you are sitting at a Steady Table, you may be there for while and may like to think of changing gears. This is particularly the time after some rounds of play. You can get a feel for opponents in the initial rounds and you can observe what types of players are at your table. Changing gear at this moment can be beneficial for you, as it can throw off your opponents. If you think that your opponents have been trapped in what you are doing or the way you are playing, then change your gears once more and play in a different style. 

When tournament stage changes: Usually, you would like to play more tightly at the beginning of a poker tournament. If you are very close to the pot, then move into the higher gear and play aggressive. Now you will see many players playing tightly as they want to stay alive. You must know how you are doing in the tournament and how close are to win the pot before you change gears. Also, keep in mind if your style is winning you rewards, its better not to change gears until you begin losing consistently.

When you have a big chip stack: When you have been playing tightly and winning while having a big chip stack, you may like to move into a higher gear. Definitely, you have been winning by playing tightly, but as you have a big chip stack, you would like to take advantage of it. If you are playing more tightly, your opponents will have more opportunities to get back into the game. Use your big chip stack to throw your opponents away, as they will need to call ultimately or the blinds will drain their stack. This is particular the situation when you progress into a tournament, as the blinds will go up.

When Opponents Know You: When you hold big hands and none of your opponents are biting and betting, you may like switch gears. It’s good that you are winning money, but the wins are not for many chips. Play a little more aggressively, as it will make your opponents to act more and when you are holding a killer hand, then chances are more that that you will suck in more chips. On the other hand, if you bluff and your opponents keep calling it, you are possibly over acting and you must tone it done.