If you are new to the casino card game world, you must be wondering about what is deep stack poker. We know that poker is always full of strategy, however, the variety of plays also available with a shallow stack is pretty limited compared to advanced options with deeper stacks. 0
While playing deep stack poker is mostly reserved for the cash game players. Therefore, you need to figure out the basics no matter what your game is. If you have learned how to play some types of poker game, we are about to look at the most useful explanation about deep stack poker play.
Understanding What is Deep Stack Poker
To answer the question about what is deep stack poker, this term refers to playing with more than 100 big blinds. Most usually, it is played at cash game tables. As players can buy in deep from the get-go, and the blinds don’t go up, most players at the table will end up with a fairly big chip stack over time.
While the basic rules of play will not change at all, many strategic implications come into play when the stacks get deep.
In this game, you can see more post-flop play, fewer all-in confrontations, and quite a few complex spots where the right play is not 100% clear. It is for that reason that many of the best poker players around the world like to play with deep stacks, as it will allow them to take advantage of their opponent’s mistakes and really capitalize on their strategic advantage.
Tips to Improve Deep Stack Poker Play
After understanding what is deep stack poker, you also need to figure out some tips that will help you improve the game. So, we will give you some advice to make your deep stacked poker play more beneficial. Here are some tips you need to know:
1. Re-Evaluate Hand Values
As your stack begins to grow, you will need a good hand to “stack off” and risk the whole thing in an all-in showdown. Typically of what is deep stack poker, hands such as top pair with an Ace kicker are rarely pretty good when stacking off for 300 big blinds. It means that hands like AQo or AKo will drop in value, while hands such as 89s gain in value.
You may shove with an AK with a short stack, however, you should not be risking a big stack without a made hand. Remember to always be patient and get your money in good condition.
2. 3-Bet Wider from Late Position
After knowing what is deep stack poker and you have some weight on the felt, you can throw it around a little by 3-betting money frequently, however, you need to pay attention to position.
If you have the advantage of position and advantage, you expect to 3-bet a very wide range of hands. Even when your opponent is holding an AK or QQ, they will not be extremely enthusiastic about stacking up against you if they are also deep. When you 3-bet a wide range of prospective hands in position, even when your opponent decides to call, you will find yourself in very good shape.
Moreover, against weaker players you are allowed to widen your range of 3-bet hands considerably. From what is deep stack poker, any suited court cards will create a good 3-bet, in position, remember the table composition and the depth of your stack. You may even begin including mid suited connectors and suited Aces when you feel confident.
When you are out of position you need more caution. When you want to 3-bet bluff less frequently if your opponents are adapting to the deeper stack sizes, your all-in range gets smaller the deeper the stacks get. Yes, that will make you more vulnerable to 4-bet bluffs.
Furthermore, you will also see your opponents’ flatting ranges widen significantly, and so your fold equity is lowered. However, this assumes your opponents will adapt correctly. If they don’t, carry on as normal and replace any KTo hands with their 78s equivalents.
3. Be Cautious of Stacking Off Preflop
As a general rule of what is deep stack poker, the deeper the stacks are, the stronger the hand you must stack off, or shove, or preflop. If the blinds are 150 or more, think twice before pushing with AK or QQ.
When someone 3-bets you from the blinds when you have one of these hands, you might be best flat calling them. In addition, when someone opens up from under the gun while you have that hand, deciding to call may still be your best option.
If you get to 200 big blinds and above, even the powerful KK is no longer certain to succeed, and you might want to take the similar precautions before commiting your whole stack. About what is deep stack poker, stack size is not the only factor to consider.
You must take a good look at your opponent and your position. Therefore, if you have a strong hand that is not AA, think twice about whether you would be comfortable stacking off before you 3-bet or 4-bet.
4. Position is More Important
Of course, the deeper of your stacks, the more important your position will be. You will want to tighten up UTG and open more hands from the button. Therefore, you should flat call more when in position, and less when you are out of position.
5. Post-Flop Aggression is Important
If you have a draw to the nuts of what is deep stack poker, you expect to play it very aggressively. However, you can use aggression with considerably fewer outs than you normally would as your used odds, fold equity, will be better in a deep pot.
Moreover, the reverse uses if your outs are tainted As2s on a Kc Ks Qs board is not something you expect to 3-bet the flop with, as a lot of the hands that would call 300 big blinds have you drawing dead.
Consider how uncomfortable you would feel in the villain‘s shoes if you are raised out of position playing for 3 buy-ins. You can threaten the opponent’s entire stack and expect great fold equity.
6. Adjust Your 3-Bet Call Range
In position of what is deep stack poker, you are allowed to flat 3-bets much wider with a deep stack than you can if 100 big blinds deep. Once again, you must be favoring hands like A9s over KQo.
Conclusion
As you know what is deep stack poker, playing it can be daunting. However, it can also be walked in the park based on how you set yourself up from preflop. By making the adjustments, you can navigate with confidence and put your opponents in difficult situations.