Erick Lindgren poker strategy tips full tilt poker pro tips play more pots

Erick Lindgren

In tournaments, I play lots of hands. I'll put my money in with all kinds of
connected cards, especially when in position. I might limp, I might min-raise
or raise a little more than the minimum, depending on the circumstances.
I'm looking to keep my table off balance so they don't know where I'm
coming from.

My overall goal is to pick up a lot of small pots without a lot of resistance. I
might raise in position and hope for a call from one of the blinds. If I raise
pre-flop with something like 6-7, I might miss the flop entirely, but the raise
puts me in control of the hand. On the flop, I'll likely bet if checked to, even
if I miss. That small bet on the flop will usually win me a small, but helpful
pot.

Of course, sometimes it won't work out. I'll bet and get check-raised on
occasions. But that's okay, because I actually don't lose much in the hands
that I have to surrender. Overall, I get to gradually add to my chip stack by
chopping at small pot after small pot.

The other major advantage to my style is that, occasionally, I will hit a flop
hard. If I do happen to flop a straight, it's difficult for other players to put me
on something like 5-7 or 6-8. If one of my opponents also gets a piece of
the flop, I'll get paid off in a big way.

By adding to my stack early, I have a real advantage over players who play
a cautious, tight game. The extra chips that I accumulate allow me to
survive some tough spots. So, if I happen to get involved in a race with A-K
or a pair of Tens, I can withstand a loss. An opponent who's playing tight
will likely be on the rail after losing a single race.

New players often ask me how they can learn to play more pots. I always
suggest that they drop down significantly in stakes and practice. If you're
playing $2-$4 no-limit, drop down to $.50-$1 - a level where some losses
won't hurt you.

Once you're at that table, try to play eight hands out of 10. Play everything
but 2-8 or 3-9 - hands that are entirely unconnected. When you get
yourself involved with this kind of frequency, you'll have to concentrate
more on your opponents than on your own cards. You'll have to be on the
lookout for opportunities to take down pots with well-timed stabs. You'll also
learn how to proceed in situations where you flop a good, but dangerous
hand.

By dropping down and playing a lot of hands, you're going to learn a lot
about poker. You're also going to have a lot of fun. Lord knows, playing
50% of the hands is a whole lot more entertaining than sitting around
waiting for Aces.

If you look at the success that Gavin Smith, Daniel Negreanu and myself
have had over the last couple of years, you'll see that being active can be
an excellent way to score big in tournaments. It takes practice to play this
style, but it can lead to great results and be a lot of fun.