Top 5 Outstanding Poker Tournaments, as Perceived by Aram Zobian - ME WSOP 2018 Finalist
Getting the lowdown on tournament poker exploits? Look no further than Aram Zobian, one of the world's leading "exploiters" and deep stack specialists. In 2018, he cashed for a cool $1,800,000 at a WSOP main event. Now, he's spilling the beans on his top five tournament exploits - apply them at your own risk, kid!
Exploit #1: Ain't Nobody Got Time for Dead Pots
In GTO (Game Theory Optimal) poker, you can't steer clear of "dead" pots or you'll be as predictable as a pop song on the radio. Most players' strategies ain't balanced, so an early, cheap fold in a pot where your expectation is zilch is a win-win.
Example 1
Consider this online $250 tournament scenario: you're on the small blind with a 46 BB stack, and pre-flop ante is a hefty 2.9 BB. You raised big (5x) when everyone folded, and a recreational player gives you company. You hit a decent second pair on the flop but no backdoor draws. You check, and your opponent bets half the pot. It's hard to find a bluff here, so folding is a viable option.
Example 2
From a $1,000 bracelet event, here's another example at a 7-max table. Chip leader (stack: 49 BB) opens on the button, several players fold, and you (29 BB) stick around with . Facing a flop of , giving you a middle pair with backdoor equity, your opponent bets half the pot. With a solid regular as your opponent, it's hard to find his bluffs, so it's pretty tough to get away with calling. Folding might be the smarter play.
Exploit #2: Make a Small Turn Bet In Position Against a Weak Range for the River Bluff
When in position, you got an advantage over out-of-position players. Make the most of it by wielding that position like the ace up your sleeve:
- Extract a bit more value from a weak range that the opponent often folds to on the river,
- and make your bluff more potent.
Example: With 50 BB effective stack, you open from the button, big blind calls. The board isn't critical, let's say it's . You make a big flop bet, they call. Then you make a small turn bet (15% of the pot), they call again. With strong hands, they'd raise you, so when you hit top pair on the flop, you have a decent chance of them calling. On the river, a, you should bluff against a weak opponent who'll fold 90% of the time.
Exploit #3: Go Big on the Flop for Value
Take advantage of opponents who fold their equity on the flop by making large continuation bets on the flop - it doesn't only maximize your value directly on the flop but also gives them better pot odds to call large bets on the turn and river.
Exploit #4: Don't Limit Your Sizing on Turn and River
Be creative! Don't stick to using one or two sizing options. If a more considerable or smaller bet yields a better result, lean into it.
Exploit #5: Play Wider Ranges at Early Tournament Stages
In the early stages, it's crucial to observe the field and take advantage of your position. Playing more starting hands can offer great opportunities for high SPR play. For instance, in a deep-stacked tournament, you might even call with deuces or K3s when your chart says it's too loose.
Be adaptable, fearless but selective, and watch how your opponents play. The more you observe, the better you'll understand which exploits to employ. And remember, when the chips are down, the cold-blooded shark emerges, so keep those cards close to the vest and prepare to strike!
- Aram Zobian, a renowned poker exploiter, suggests avoiding "dead" pots in GTO poker as it makes a player predictable, an early, cheap fold can be beneficial in situations where expectation is minimal.
- For example, during an online $250 tournament with a 46 BB stack, folding a decent second pair on a flop with no backdoor draws could be a profitable decision after an opponent bets half the pot.
- In casino-and-gambling events, such as a $1,000 bracelet event, folding in a hand against a solid regular can be the smarter play when no bluffs are detected.
- In position at a 7-max table, it's advantageous to make a small turn bet for the river bluff against a weak range, as it increases both the extracting of value and the potency of bluffing.
- When making a big flop bet, exploiting opponents who fold their equity on the flop by going big on the flop for value can maximize direct value and pot odds for the turn and river.
- In early tournament stages, it is strategic to play wider ranges and take advantage of the field, particularly in deep-stacked tournaments, where deuces or K3s could be called, presenting opportunities for high SPR play.
