Poker Strategies: Mastering the Large Stack Game

Playing poker with a large stack requires a different strategy than playing with a small stack. Many authors write that with a large stack, you should avoid confrontations because you can do without them and you have time to wait. However, this is not the correct approach.

The correct strategy for a chip leader is to find +cEV and +$EV situations that would not be possible with a smaller stack. This means actively seeking out profitable opportunities rather than passively waiting for them to come to you. For example, if you are on CO with a stack of 80BB, and there are three players behind you with 15-20BB, your opening raise range should not be much different from the situation where you also have 15-20BB.

On the bubble, you can ignore stack sizes and position against players who need to keep their chance to enter the prize zone. This is a great opportunity to apply creative and aggressive strategies. For instance, you can open very widely, especially if your table is not trying to resist. In tournaments where the play on the bubble becomes tight, opening 50% (and even more) of hands can be profitable.