The natural goal of a poker player is to accumulate the most chips. But every poker player knows that he or she will often play without the largest stack at the table. And the best poker players know how to play their short stacks properly when it counts.
A short stack is determined by the average stack at your table. That is usually referred to in BBs, or big blinds, which is the number of big blinds in your stack. If you’re playing $5/$10 No Limit Hold’em, the big blind is $10. If you buy in for $1,000, you start with 100 big blinds. For simplicity’s sake, your stack dwindles after a few losing hands, and you have 20 big blinds in your stack. That is a short stack.
In cash games, it is very common to be the shortest stack at the table at one time or another. There can be significant swings in cash games. The goal is not to panic or feel desperate. A 20BB stack still offers time to wait for a good position or premium hand.
One of the best ways to learn how to play short stacks is to watch the best poker streamers. They will often be working a short stack, and watching those online streams gives optimal insight into how winning players manage those spots.
Cash Game Short Stack Strategy Tips for Small Stacks
The most important thing a player can do with a small stack is to maintain your composure. Do not let your opponents know that the stack size bothers you. Don’t make any drastic changes to your play or show any emotion.
Stack sizes in poker are important, so it will be necessary to play more conservatively. Wait for premium hands, and play them aggressively. However, this should be a gradual style change, something that still correlates with position and reads on your opponents. Keep a calm demeanor, especially if that is in line with your table image thus far.
Of course, as a shorter stacked player, you should target players who have even shorter stacks or those who are playing scared. Be careful of tangling with loose players, large stacks, or table bullies.
Key Moments to Execute Poker Short Stack Strategy in Cash Games
There are key factors that can lead to the execution of a short stack strategy in poker. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing move, nor does it have to be a risky play. Keep these considerations in mind:
- Premium hands: When you have aces or kings, it’s time to play that short stack aggressively.
- Style: Don’t make any drastic U-turns from your normal playing style or mannerisms.
- Position: Taking advantage of position when short-stacked is more important with a short stack than usual.
- Blinds: Pay attention to the blinds and coordinate (if possible) premium hands and position with the blinds.
- Bankroll: A bustout from a cash game shouldn’t break your bankroll. Good poker bankroll management prevents this from being the case.
When several of these factors line up, it is the best time to execute your short stack strategy.
Play Poker Online: Register with BetMGM Poker
The best place to practice maximizing profits with short stacks in cash games is on BetMGM Poker. Pick a low limit cash game and buy in for the minimum. You will start with a short or medium stack as compared to some other players, and it is the perfect time to try your strategies to see what works best for you.
Register to play online with BetMGM Poker to find those cash games, and use a poker welcome offer to make the most of your deposit while playing short-stacked poker.
