Opening Betting Stratigy

Tournament play success is dependant on the players dealt cards and the players betting strategy. The blinds in a tournament start at low levels and players are tempted to limp in and experiment with high odds starting hands when there are no raises prior to the flop. Small pairs, suited and unsuited connectors and ace/blank are hands which become attractive to experiment with in this low cost atmosphere. Reality is that these hands represent long drawing odds and then when they do hit they are sometimes apparent to the other players and the expected rewards do not materialize.
The correct play during this during this low blind period is to commit a bet/call/raise of three times the big blind when the value of the hand exceeds the pot odds. The pot odds can be projected even in an early position because normally all but 2 to 3 players will fold their hands. The pot odds generated with the two or three players are 2:1 or 3:1 for the betting prior to the flop. Making this bet will require a hand with an expected pot win percentage of at least 33% These hands, in the case of three to four players, would be any pocket pair of 7s or above or any two cards jack or above. There will many times when no other players will challenge your bet if its made from an early position.
If the hand shows no improvement from the flop, any continuation bet/call has to depend on the ability to read your opponents and being able to make an educated determination of what the percentage of making the winning hand is to the new pot odds. As the play continues, and the blinds increase, the ability to continue this betting strategy will be based on the amount of chips available in the players chip stack and the reactions of the other players. When the blinds reach high levels and this betting strategy is are not supported by the current chip stack or the other players actions, it becomes necessary to adjust your play according to the amount of chips available and to apply the knowledge gained from observing the betting and the other players mannerisms and playing techniques.