I understand that when you bet the flop and the turn you feel like you should at least give it another shot on the river. Think about what you are doing when you keep betting. Are you trying to represent you have a hand or do you have a hand and are betting for value? If you bet and bet and you keep getting called you should stop to think what they could be calling you with. This is especially important if you have position on your opponent and they keep check calling you. It is ok to check on the river and save yourself from being in the position to have to call a raise especially if you only have a pair. This will save you a lot of headaches and money in the end.

Its tempting to play weak when the bubble approaches in an online poker tournament.  You have played for a while and made it so far, just a bit of a stretch to go until you make back a bit of money.

I think the best question to ask yourself at this point is: Did you play this tournament to win your buy-in back, or to take down first? 

We all know the answer to this question, so my question to you is – why bother playing weak to wait and make back your buy-in?  The biggest mistake made by less experienced poker players, is to become reserved during the bubble period.  This is a point in the tournament where you can take advantage of everyone elses weakness to pick up blinds and build your stack to be in better position once the bubble breaks!

Our best online poker secret for tournaments is most definitely:  PLAY THE BUBBLE, DONT LET THE BUBBLE PLAY YOU!

In my honest opinion, you are much better off using slow playing tactics in a tournament than in a cash game.  The reason being this:

In a cash game, slow playing easily gets you into trouble, and you are risking a lot more money in these circumstances.  The long term gains of a cash game are relevant based on what happens over the next year, not necessarily what happens in a few sessions.  Bet all your strong hands strong, and you will get paid off in the long run.

In a tournament, your money is already invested.  Chips are generally managed more strictly and therefore; you have to take the best opportunities to build your stack gradually without risk.

Keep in mind my previous post however (Flopping a Monster).