PokertardThe best lessons from the poker books

Without a doubt, the best and easiest text to read on tournament play is Dan Harrington’s Harrington on Hold ‘em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play. In this book, Harrington lays out how to “think” during a tournament - understanding that your strategy is constantly changing as elements around you change. These elements include:

1. Status of the tournament
2. Number of players at the table
3. Who are the other players
4. How your stack compares to the blinds and antes
5. How big are the other stacks at the table
6. Where do you sit in relation to aggressive and passive players
7. What bets have been made in the hand
8. How many players are left to act after you
9. Pot Odds
10. Position at the table after the flop
11. Your cards

Notice - he lists your cards last. For more about the elements of Texas Hold ‘em in strategic play, read Harrington on Hold ‘em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play. I can also say for a fact that this strategy works great in the tournaments at Full Tilt Poker, where you can get a 100% deposit bonus.