Single Table Tournament play (early) at Partypoker

Preflop

Generally speaking in the first rounds we find our best friend, Elfoldo, and run for the tall grass. Only after 3 or 4 opponents are eliminated do we loosen up and pound the opposition. I only play big pairs, A-K and big suited connectors (such as 10-jack 9-10,or K-Q) and any two cards that add to 20 or more. (10-10, 10-jack, king-Q, A-K etc...) to see the flop. Most players will have familiarize themselves with following odds discussion to understand that in no-limit tourney's we only get one bad decision to ruin our payday.
For example:

if you are dealt a pair before the flop, you have a 12 percent chance of making a set on the flop. The odds against flopping that set are 7.5-to-1.

Before the Flop Percent Odds Against

* You hold A-K, your chances of flopping at least an ace or a king are: 32% 2-to-1
* You hold a pair, your chances of flopping a set are: 12% 7.5-to-1 With two cards to come
* You hold a straight flush draw, your chances of making a straight, a flush, or a straight flush by the river are: 54% 0.9-to-1
* You hold a flush draw, your chances of making a flush by the river are: 35% 1.9-to-1
* You hold an open-ended straight draw, your chances of making a straight by the river are: 32% 2.2-to-1

In low limit tourney's your not going to need to know much math, but you should understand that certain cards are more important than others when it comes decision time: Bet, check, call, or fold. Poker is a set of decisions that have to be made every hand and every card. The more you play, the better you get but giving money a way because of impatience is called--LOOSING your money..

PartyPoker