How to play a short stack

Being the short stack  the player with the least amount of chips at the table  is never a comfortable position. The blinds start gobbling up your chips and you dont have the muscle to make many moves. Your bets are going to be small and you are unlikely to scare anyone off. So what can you do?

Small dogs bite

The other players are going to be looking at you like you are a spicy chicken wing  just ready to be devoured in a couple of bites. Every other player at the table is going to be itching to deal the killing blow and get you off the table.

But all is far from lost. While you might be the small dog at the table, you still pack some sharp teeth. However, like small dogs, you cant go picking fights with anyone. Instead, you must choose your moment before making your move.

Whats your move?

As a short stack you really dont have too many options and the best weapon in your arsenal is the all-in. Shoving all of your chips into the middle of the table says, I like my hand and Im willing to bet everything I have left that its a winner. If you are sat in a late position  such as on the button  then this move is far more powerful as you have less chance of getting called and can probably pick up the blinds.

Remember, this is a do-or-die move. You should really be looking for a reasonable hand to do this with. Dont simply shove your chips into the middle with 2-7 offsuit. Try and get something like a high pair, Q-K, A-T or something similar before staking your poker life on the outcome of a hand.

If you are called and you win, you double your chip stack instantly. If you lose you are out. Life is very black and white in poker.

Patience is a virtue

The most important part of short stack play is the relation between the blinds and the amount of chips you have left. If you can afford to pay the blinds for another 50 rounds then, while you might have the smallest chip stack, you have plenty of time to find a good hand. This also means that players will be more reluctant to call your all-in as they know you have the time to wait for premium hands.

If you can afford to play the blinds for less than ten rounds, things are considerably more desperate. Your stack is going to decrease with every orbit, so your options become more limited and you are forced to act faster. This means that you will make your move with a wider range of cards as you dont have the time to wait for a pair of aces. This also means that your opponents are more likely to call your all-in because they know you are in dire straits.

Double or nothing

With the short stack your aim is to double up or bust out. If you do luck in to a premium hand, try to get the big stack to call you. He has the chips to make the call and, because he can afford it, is more likely to call your all-in.

However, do remember that Lady Luck plays a big part in poker. Even if you are holding a pair of aces, understand that sometimes the cards can be cruel and let you down, no matter how much the odds are in your favor. So dont let it get under your skin when you bust out through no fault of your own  its just poker.