{"id":2537251,"date":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/?p=2537251"},"modified":"2026-04-29T00:58:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T00:58:26","slug":"poker-tournaments-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/poker-tournaments-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Poker Tournament Mistakes That Are Costing You Money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/how-to-play-poker\/texas-holdem-rules\/\" title=\"\">Texas Hold&#8217;em<\/a> tournaments are the most exciting format in the game, and also the most unforgiving. I have coached thousands of tournament players over the years, and the same costly errors come up again and again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are not complicated mistakes. They are the kind of decisions that feel fine in the moment but silently drain your ROI across hundreds of tournaments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, I am sharing the 10 most damaging tournament mistakes I see at every level, along with exactly what to do differently. If you can cut even a few of these out of your game, your results will improve immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-2d519876 uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-36a03f76 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-question\"><strong>TLDR:<\/strong>\u00a0See AI summary of this article.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Here are the most common mistakes you should try to avoid in tournaments:<br>* <strong>Poor Bankroll Management<\/strong>. Tournament poker is highly volatile. Without proper bankroll management, even skilled players risk going broke during inevitable downswings.<br>* <strong>Playing Too Wide Early On<\/strong>. In early stages, blinds are low, and accumulating chips has minimal value. Playing too many hands can lead to unnecessary losses.<br>* <strong>Being Too Results-Oriented<\/strong>. Focusing on short-term outcomes can be misleading. Consistent decision-making based on sound strategy is more important than individual results.<br>* <strong>Neglecting Table Selection<\/strong>. Choosing the right table can significantly impact profitability. Avoid tables with predominantly strong players when possible.<br>* <strong>Overusing Slow Play<\/strong>. While slow playing can be effective occasionally, overusing it can lead to missed value and give opponents free cards.<br>* <strong>Being Too Passive or Aggressive<\/strong>. Extremes in playstyle can be detrimental. Balance is key\u2014adjust aggression based on opponents and situations.<br>* <strong>Underestimating Opponents<\/strong>. Assuming opponents are weak can lead to costly mistakes. Always assess each player&#8217;s tendencies and adjust accordingly.<br>* <strong>Not Stealing Enough in Late Game<\/strong>. As blinds increase, stealing becomes crucial. Failing to do so can result in a dwindling stack and limited options.<br>* <strong>Ignoring ICM (Independent Chip Model)<\/strong>. Understanding ICM is vital, especially near the bubble and final table. Misjudging its impact can lead to suboptimal decisions.<br>* <strong>Neglecting Study and Improvement<\/strong>. Continuous learning is essential. Regularly reviewing hands and studying strategy helps refine skills and adapt to evolving games.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-table-of-contents uagb-toc__align-left uagb-toc__columns-1  uagb-block-9e10aa94      \"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-scroll= \"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-offset= \"30\"\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTable Of Contents\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-toc__list-wrap \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-1-exercising-poor-bankroll-management\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #1 \u2013 Exercising Poor Bankroll Management<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-2-playing-too-wide-early-on\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #2 \u2013 Playing Too Wide Early On<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-3-being-too-results-oriented\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #3 \u2013 Being Too Results Oriented<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-4-not-table-selecting-enough\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #4 \u2013 Not Table Selecting Enough<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-5-slow-playing-too-often\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #5 \u2013 Slow Playing Too Often<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-6-being-too-passive-or-aggressive\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #6 \u2013 Being Too Passive or Aggressive<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-7-underestimating-your-opponents\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #7 \u2013 Underestimating Your Opponents<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-8-not-stealing-enough-in-late-game\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #8 \u2013 Not Stealing Enough in Late Game<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-9-not-understanding-icm\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #9 \u2013 Not Understanding ICM<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-10-not-studying-poker-enough\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #10 \u2013 Not Studying Poker Enough<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#mistake-11-min-cash-mentality\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Mistake #11: Min-Cash Mentality<\/a><li class=\"uagb-toc__list\"><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"uagb-toc-link__trigger\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #1 \u2013 Exercising Poor Bankroll Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-bankroll-mistakes.jpg\" alt=\"tournament bankroll mistakes\" class=\"wp-image-2537263\" style=\"width:412px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-bankroll-mistakes.jpg 512w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-bankroll-mistakes-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-bankroll-mistakes-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In my experience, poor bankroll management ends more tournament careers than any strategic mistake. Tournament poker is brutally volatile. I have seen skilled players lose 30 buy-ins in a row during a legitimate downswing, and if they are not properly bankrolled, they never get the chance to run it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Bankroll management is everything in this format, and if you fail in this area, no amount of skill will save you in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time you sit down to play a tournament, you are playing against hundreds of poker players, and the vast majority of the buyins will be distributed to the few who get to the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how good you are, you will not be at the final table every time you play, and you will go through significant downswings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare for this by making sure you have enough buyins behind to sustain a substantial downswing and make sure to keep playing your game whether things are going well or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #2 \u2013 Playing Too Wide Early On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common leaks I see from new tournament players is treating the early levels like a cash game. They play too many hands, chase speculative holdings out of position, and burn off chips they will desperately need later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The early stages of a tournament are about patience. With 100 or more big blinds in your stack, adding another blind and a half is almost worthless. What matters is protecting your stack and waiting for spots where you have a genuine edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, the early stages are all about patience and playing good hands, mostly in position. While you do this, less experienced players will force the issue and give you their chips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are not careful, you can easily find yourself becoming one of these donators at the table that everyone is happy to be in a pot with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to play only the best hands from early positions, and only expand your range to include good speculative hands and a few bluffs in positions like the button and cutoff in the early levels of a poker tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #3 \u2013 Being Too Results Oriented<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tournament variance is brutal, and this is where a lot of players lose their way. I have watched good players go on tilt after a bad run and completely abandon the strategy that was working for them. Winning a big pot one night makes them overconfident. Missing ten cashes in a row makes them desperate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neither reaction is useful. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in tournament poker is letting short-term results change how you play. Your only job is to make the best decision you can with the information available. Process over results, every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to be a successful tournament poker player, you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/master-your-poker-mindset-embrace-strategy-over-emotion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Master your Poker Mindset: Embrace Strategy Over Emotion\">master your poker mindset<\/a>. Instead, just focus on playing fundamentally good poker, and the results will come without a doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you allow your emotions to get into the mix and your results to become the driving factor in how you play, you may turn from a winning player into a losing one mid-way through a poker tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #4 \u2013 Not Table Selecting Enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I always say that game selection might be the most underrated skill in <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/cash-game-mistakes\/\" title=\"\">cash game<\/a> poker. In tournaments, this means choosing events where you have the highest possible edge. If you can pick between a $10,000 buy-in field packed with professionals and a $2,000 event filled with recreational players, the math almost always favors the softer game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have seen players leave significant money on the table simply by defaulting to the most prestigious events rather than the most profitable ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-mistakes-not-game-selecting.jpg\" alt=\"tournament mistakes - not game selecting\" class=\"wp-image-2537270\" style=\"width:415px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-mistakes-not-game-selecting.jpg 512w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-mistakes-not-game-selecting-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-mistakes-not-game-selecting-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason should be self-evident. Even if you are a very good player, you might be only breaking even in the $10k, while at the same time being a 30% winner in the $2k.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you are effectively winning $600 every time you join the $2k while simply breaking even by playing the $10k.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same logic can be applied at lower stakes and in online tournaments. What\u2019s more, some poker sites offer significantly softer tournaments than others at the same buyin levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, before you blindly jump into an event, make sure you weigh all your options and try to play in the games where you have the highest possible edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #5 \u2013 Slow Playing Too Often<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Slow playing gets far more credit than it deserves in tournament poker. I see players trap with big hands on dry boards, give opponents a free card, and then lose a pot they should have won by a wide margin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trapping has its place, especially in deep-stack situations where you are trying to build a pot over multiple streets. But overusing it is a mistake that costs you value and occasionally your tournament life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, slow playing a big hand can also backfire in a big way, as you give your opponent the <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/pot-odds-in-poker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Calculating Pot Odds in Poker \u2013 What Is the Best Way?\">pot odds<\/a> to allow them to catch up and outdraw you with a hand they had no business seeing the river with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, if you slow play your monsters too often, you will end up losing value against hands that would have paid you off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many players tend to overplay medium-strength hands and draws in early tournament play, and you want to charge these players to build up a stack through them as early as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next time you flop a set and face a bet, put in a big raise and watch your opponents pay you off with all sorts of trash that you would not expect to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #6 \u2013 Being Too Passive or Aggressive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winning tournament poker is a constant balancing act, and most players fall to one side or the other. In my coaching work, I see far more players who are too passive than too aggressive. They call when they should raise, check when they should bet, and let opponents dictate the action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But overcorrecting into pure aggression is equally destructive. The goal is to have a balanced range at every decision point: value hands and bluffs, bets and checks, in the right proportions. The best players in the world are difficult to play against precisely because they do not give you easy reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Average poker players, on the other hand, tend to be too passive or too aggressive, and neither of these is the right way to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being too aggressive means you will often put yourself into spots where you are forcing the issue while your opponent simply has the best hand. You value-own yourself and end your tournament with a bluff you never should have tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake-1024x533.jpg\" alt=\"being unbalanced is a tournament mistake\" class=\"wp-image-2537276\" style=\"width:727px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake-1024x533.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake-746x389.jpg 746w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake-768x400.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake-1536x800.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/being-unbalanced-is-a-tournament-mistake.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, being too passive is even worse, as it will make you easy to play against and allow your opponents to dictate the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer, of course, is in balancing your ranges and finding ways to have both value and bluffs across the board while being the one making the bets more often than the one calling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #7 \u2013 Underestimating Your Opponents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have made this mistake myself early in my career. You sit down at a new table, see a player who looks unfamiliar with the chips, and assume they are a recreational player you can run over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then they wake up with aces and play them perfectly. MTTs are full of players who do not fit the stereotype you expect. I always tell my students to observe before assuming. Watch how someone handles pressure before deciding how to play against them. Never underestimate your opponents until they show you hard evidence to the contrary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, players tend to make generalizations about players based on their appearances, age, gender, and other factors that don\u2019t really have too much to do with the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of making such generalizations, try to assess every player based on the way they play their hands during the first hour you spend playing with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t find out everything there is to know about a player\u2019s game in one hour, but you will definitely find out a lot more than you knew before you saw them play any hands at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t underestimate anyone and assume everyone is a decent poker player until they show you hard evidence to the contrary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #8 \u2013 Not Stealing Enough in Late Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Late-stage tournament play is where a lot of players leave chips on the table. I find that recreational players who have been patient all day struggle to switch gears when the blinds get significant. If you are sitting on 15 big blinds and steal the blinds and antes for 2.5 BBs, you have grown your stack by over 16% without a showdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That kind of aggression in the late game is not optional. It is how you stay alive long enough to go deep. Waiting for premium hands with a short stack is a death sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you are sitting on a 15 bb <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/short-stack-strategy-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Best Short Stack Strategy Tips For Winning More Tournaments\">short stack<\/a> and steal the blinds and antes for an additional 2.5 bb, you increase your stack by some 17%, which is very significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By stealing the blinds a couple of orbits or re-stealing against a raise just once, you could double up your stack without ever having to show your cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, being aggressive and stealing a lot will also mean you have to flip a coin once in a while, but that\u2019s what late-stage tournament play is all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you approach the late game too passively and wait for good hands, you will end up chipping down until a double-up is not even worth a lot anymore, and there is little hope of getting back into contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #9 \u2013 Not Understanding ICM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"561\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-ICM.jpg\" alt=\"tournament ICM\" class=\"wp-image-2537287\" style=\"width:504px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-ICM.jpg 561w, https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/tournament-ICM-461x420.jpg 461w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/poker-icm\/\" title=\"\">ICM <\/a>is one of the concepts I spend the most time teaching because it changes your entire framework for decision-making near the bubble and final table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chips in a tournament are not equal to cash. Winning a chip does not earn you as much as losing the same chip costs you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That asymmetry has real strategic consequences. I have watched players lose huge chunks of equity by ignoring ICM pressure in spots where folding was clearly the correct play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to be a consistent tournament winner, studying ICM is non-negotiable. I recommend working through ICM scenarios in PokerCoaching&#8217;s own solver, PeakGTO (peakgto.com), which lets you model the exact late-game spots where ICM has the greatest impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #10 \u2013 Not Studying Poker Enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I study poker regularly, and I have been playing at a high level for decades. If I still find new things to work on, every player reading this can too. The game evolves constantly. <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/poker-strategy-tips\/\" title=\"\">Poker strategies<\/a> that were winning five years ago are getting exploited today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The players who stay ahead are the ones who put in the work off the table. Start by reviewing hands where you felt uncertain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch training content that challenges your existing assumptions. And if you want structured tournament analysis, <a href=\"http:\/\/peakgto.com\" title=\"\">PeakGTO<\/a>, PokerCoaching&#8217;s own solver, is the most efficient way to study the spots that actually cost you the most equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mistake #11: Min-Cash Mentality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most damaging mindset mistakes I see in tournament poker is what I call the min-cash mentality. Players get close to the money and shift entirely into survival mode. They stop stealing. They fold too much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They pass up good spots because they are terrified of busting out before the money. And then they min-cash for two buy-ins instead of going deep for hundreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the mathematical reality: the top 3 spots in most multi-table tournaments pay the majority of the prize pool. A min-cash is barely a return on your time and buy-in. When you play to survive the bubble rather than playing to win, you are trading a small payout now for the genuine ROI that comes from deep runs and final tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This does not mean play recklessly near the bubble. ICM awareness still matters. But there is a significant difference between making smart folds under real ICM pressure and folding every marginal spot because you are scared to bust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best tournament players I know think about every decision in terms of expected value and tournament equity, not in terms of whether they will cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more, read our full guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/mtt-poker-strategy\/\" title=\"MTT Poker Strategy from Proven Winners \u2013 Crush Your Tournaments\">poker tournament strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq uagb-faq__outer-wrap uagb-block-4d772c4e uagb-faq-icon-row uagb-faq-layout-accordion uagb-faq-expand-first-false uagb-faq-inactive-other-true uagb-faq__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap uagb-faq-equal-height     \" data-faqtoggle=\"true\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-3cb99847 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>What is the biggest mistake players make in poker tournaments?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>In my experience, the biggest single mistake is poor bankroll management. Tournament poker is highly volatile, and even skilled players go through brutal downswings. Without enough buy-ins behind you to absorb a losing run, you never give your edge time to show up. Everything else in your game can be solid, but if you are not properly bankrolled, one bad stretch ends your tournament career.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-254bd3da \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How many buy-ins do I need for tournament poker?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>A conservative standard is 100 buy-ins at your target stakes, though many experienced tournament players keep 150 to 200. The higher variance of multi-table tournaments compared to cash games means you need a larger bankroll cushion. If you play a mix of buy-in levels, calculate based on your highest regular stake.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-7d6c6aaa \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>What is ICM and why does it matter in tournaments?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>ICM, or the Independent Chip Model, is a framework for calculating the real money value of your chip stack relative to the prize pool. Unlike cash games where every chip equals a specific dollar amount, tournament chips gain and lose real-money value depending on stack sizes, payouts, and the number of players remaining. Understanding ICM helps you make correct decisions near the bubble and at the final table, where most of your tournament equity is won or lost.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-a65178cc \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How do I stop going on tilt during a tournament downswing?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Tilt in tournaments usually starts when you lose a key hand and shift your focus from decision quality to results. What helps most is separating the decision from the outcome. A good call that gets beaten by a bad beat is still a good call. I keep my focus on whether my reasoning was sound, not on whether the card came or not. If you feel your emotions affecting your decisions, take a walk, reset between hands, and come back focused on the next decision rather than the last one.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-a5544a4a \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>When should I start stealing blinds in a tournament?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>Blind stealing becomes important once effective stacks reach 20-30 big blinds or the antes become significant relative to the pot. In the early levels with 100+ big blinds, the value of stealing a blind and a half is minimal. As the tournament progresses and the blinds grow, stealing becomes a core survival skill. With a short stack of 15 big blinds or fewer, you should be looking to steal or shove in almost every spot where you would otherwise fold.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-faq-child uagb-faq-child__outer-wrap uagb-faq-item uagb-block-14b36291 \" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"uagb-faq-questions-button uagb-faq-questions\">\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M432 256c0 17.69-14.33 32.01-32 32.01H256v144c0 17.69-14.33 31.99-32 31.99s-32-14.3-32-31.99v-144H48c-17.67 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.33-31.99 32-31.99H192v-144c0-17.69 14.33-32.01 32-32.01s32 14.32 32 32.01v144h144C417.7 224 432 238.3 432 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uagb-icon-active uagb-faq-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox= \"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 288h-352c-17.69 0-32-14.32-32-32.01s14.31-31.99 32-31.99h352c17.69 0 32 14.3 32 31.99S417.7 288 400 288z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How can I study ICM and tournament spots more effectively?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"uagb-faq-content\"><p>The most efficient method I know is working through specific ICM scenarios in a solver. PokerCoaching&#8217;s own solver, <a href=\"http:\/\/peakgto.com\" title=\"\">PeakGTO<\/a>, lets you model late-game tournament spots and see the exact impact of ICM pressure on correct play. Combine solver work with hand history reviews from your own sessions, focusing on the spots near the bubble and final table where your decisions had the most equity impact.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas Hold&#8217;em tournaments are the most exciting format in the game, and also the most unforgiving. I have coached thousands of tournament players over the years, and the same costly errors come up again and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":2537255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[877,16,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2537251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-poker-basics","category-poker-strategy","category-tournaments"],"acf":{"peak_live_date":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes.jpg",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes-373x210.jpg",373,210,true],"medium":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes-746x420.jpg",746,420,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes.jpg",1280,720,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes.jpg",1280,720,false],"author_image":["https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Tournament-Mistakes-100x100.jpg",100,100,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Jonathan Little","author_link":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/author\/jonathan_little\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Texas Hold&#8217;em tournaments are the most exciting format in the game, and also the most unforgiving. I have coached thousands of tournament players over the years, and the same costly errors come up again and [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/160"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2537251"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547759,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2537251\/revisions\/2547759"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2537255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2537251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2537251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pokercoaching.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2537251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}