It is no secret that poker is one of the most popular casino games worldwide. And that the online modality has done nothing but increase the appreciation of thousands of users who enjoy their favorite game from the comfort of their own home, either.
Nowadays, there is a wide range of agencies dedicated to online poker that offer a good variety of game modes, attractive advantages for their users and tournaments with large and attractive prize pools and rewards.
To participate in the exciting poker tournaments, an initial amount has to be paid, which, in the vast majority of cases, is significantly lower than the money that can be won. The goal is to get to the top of the leaderboard to get the best prize.
Nowadays you can find a great variety of tournament types, as they are a very appreciated game modality among poker lovers. Some platforms, such as the one you will find at https://1stpokernetwork.com/en/ offer a wide range of tournaments and an excellent rake, which makes it one of the best options.
Below, we tell you what kind of tournaments there are and how you can reach the top positions.
Poker tournaments: Freeze out vs Reload and rebuy
Broadly speaking, the different types of tournaments that you can find in online poker rooms, and also in physical rooms, can be divided into Freeze Out or Rebuy. Let’s see how they differ.
Freeze Out Tournaments
Freeze Out tournaments are those in which players receive an initial stack of chips and must manage it throughout the game. No re-buys or re-entry fees are allowed, so it is considered a “natural” mode.
This is the type of tournament that reigns in the celebration of the most important events currently being played, such as WSOP, WPT, EPT…
Reload and rebuy tournaments
On the other hand, a reload and rebuy tournament is one in which players can increase their stack of chips at some point during the tournament. Whoever wishes to do so, in exchange for a certain amount of money, can obtain new chips and continue playing more comfortably.
It is also possible to reimburse the initial amount, i.e. the entry fee, if the player is eliminated. However, in these tournaments a limit of reloads is established, as well as a specific time during which they can be made. After this time, no more re-buys or reloads can be made.
Now that we know what the two main types of tournaments are, we will explain which are the most popular and chosen types of tournaments among users.
Types of poker tournaments
Knowing the different types of poker tournaments is key to get the most out of this modality.
The initial amounts, the mode and development of the game, as well as the rules that govern the games vary from one to another, so having the information we offer you below will be of vital importance if you want to enter this exciting world.
Freerolls
Freeroll tournaments are those in which you can opt for different prizes such as, for example, tickets to participate in tournaments or access to satellite tournaments that allow entry to a tournament of some importance. Cash prizes are also available.
Entry to a Freeroll tournament is usually free of charge. The access is obtained by means of points that the users have obtained by developing their game in the poker room. It is, therefore, an ideal modality to enter the world of tournaments, since they do not require the payment of an initial buy-in.
Turbo Tournaments
If you like action and strong emotions, turbo tournaments are perfect for you. As their name suggests, they are tournaments that are played at a frenetic pace.
These tournaments require maximum concentration, fast decision making and minimum margin for error. And the fact is that the blinds go up at breakneck speed compared to other tournaments.
The duration of each round in a turbo tournament is usually 5 minutes.
Satellites
Satellite tournaments are those that allow you access to a larger tournament, such as the Main Event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Many players choose to participate in satellite tournaments because registering in one of these tournaments is much cheaper than paying the entry fee for the tournament that is in play.
This tournament ends as soon as the right number of players are found to be eligible for a seat in the tournament.
Bounty Tournaments
Also known as “Terminators”, a bounty is awarded for eliminating players.
The bounty or reward will be the extra money collected from the players’ buy-ins, that is to say, when a player eliminates another player, his buy-in is collected by the player who eliminated him.
Sit&Go
Sit&Go tournaments, also known by their acronym S&G or SNG, are those that start once all the seats have been occupied, so they do not have a fixed date in advance.
Within the Sit&Go, you can find different game modes such as, for example, head-up or face up to a maximum of 360 players. Its variety is perhaps the key to its success, as it is a very popular format among players.
In Sit&Go tournaments, the blinds increase progressively, which is ideal for beginners. In addition, the entry to this type of tournaments is usually very cheap, perfect for players with a tight bankroll.
Multi-table
Multi-table tournaments usually have nine players per table. As you can imagine, the games tend to drag on over time, pushing players’ concentration and mental agility to the limit.
As time goes by, players are eliminated until, finally, the final table is reached, whose participants opt for the prize.
Strategies to win poker tournaments
Now that you know which are the most popular tournaments among players, don’t miss these interesting keys to get the first places on the leaderboards.
In the early stages, keep your chips
Whether you play in Freeze Out or Rebuild and Reload mode, it is in your best interest not to waste your chips.
This is why we recommend you not to play all the hands in the early stages of the tournament because, in addition to helping you keep your chips, it will allow you to know your opponents’ game, a vital piece of information in poker.
The real game starts at the end
At this point, you already know that, in tournaments, it is not important how they start, but how they end.
The most important thing in the first few hands is to survive and hold on as long as possible. For this reason, in the initial phases, you should focus your efforts on not taking any risks. Focus on getting to know your opponents, what their game is like, in order to develop a more aggressive game later on.
In the end, go for aggressive play
Knowing how to adapt to the opponents, the table and the type of game is crucial in poker games. Just as you have been observing the play of your opponents and have detected who is a passive opponent and who is aggressive, the rest of the table will have acted in the same way.
Therefore, misleading your opponents with a “gear change” will be a very beneficial strategy for your game. Evolving from a passive to an aggressive game consists of raising many hands and getting a good number of pots, even if they are small.
Remember, however, that once you start pushing, you have to do it steadily, without giving your opponents any leeway. In this sense, poker multi-tabling tournaments are the most suitable for aggressive players.
