In poker, stack size is important. Obviously, increasing your stack is the ultimate aim of the game, at the expense of the other players. Equally obviously, if your stack dwindles to nothing, you’re out of the game. But the size of your stack will naturally vary throughout your time in the game, and your stack size at any point defines the options open to you. It also sends clear messages to the other players around the table, whether you want it to or not.

A big stack telegraphs strength, while a small stack signals vulnerability. If you have one of the largest stacks on the table, then you’re a hunter, and those with the smaller stacks are the hunted. Whether you’re playing in-person or at the best NJ online casinos, making your stack last and making every hand count should be your paramount concerns.

Playing safe with a medium stack

The strategy you should adopt depends on your stack size and the type of game you’re in. If you’re really short-stacked, there is a persuasive case for risking everything and going all-in with any reasonable hand. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s when you have a medium-sized stack enough to cover 12-25 big blinds that playing it safe and reducing risk might be the best play.

A lot depends on your position in the game. If you’re in an early position, don’t raise unless you’re confident of your hand. If you’re in a later position, then you’ll have a better idea of what moves the other players are likely to make. In this case, don’t take unnecessary risks, but use your judgment.

Raising with an ace or a jack of any suit as a kicker won’t improve your hand dramatically, but it could make all the difference as a tiebreaker with a similar hand.

Building your stack

You should always be trying to build your stack even if you’re currently the chip leader. In that position, you can afford to take more risks, leveraging your size to win more and playing weaker hands if you need to. 

If you have a big stack but not the biggest, you should still play aggressively but not too loose. Being perceived as reckless will cause other players to target you. Keep an eye on your stack and those of the others at the table.

Those with smaller stacks need to work hard to increase their size. In some cases, this might mean going all-in, but always read the table to your best ability. Consider the temperaments of the other players and look out for live tells. Always keep track of your fold equity against other stacks. If you have the most to lose, then you’re not in a great position to start issuing challenges.

Poker is all about taking risks and every player has to ask whether reducing the risk on each hand is really worth it. Playing when short-stacked reduces your options so much that you’re barely playing at all. In such cases, it may be best to risk everything on an all-or-nothing bet. If you win, then you’re back in the game. Otherwise, better luck next time!