Phil Gordon gives some great online poker secrets in regards to how to play when you are the big stack at the table in a poker tournament:

1. Never limp into a pot
2. If the blinds consist of tight players with average stacks, play almost any hand in position
3. Punish limpers with big raises from position when you think they are weak
4. Call from position more often when an opponent with an average stack enters the pot with a raise
5. Rarely, if ever, confront a short-stacked opponent without a premium poker hand
6. Try to win more hands before the flop

“Moving all-in before the flop is one of the most powerful plays in No Limit Hold’em.  It’s also one of the most dangerous” – Phil Gordon

When is it right to move all-in before the flop?

- When you have the best hand and believe your opponent will call.
- When you have the worst hand and believe your opponent will fold (The pot must be big enough to steal)
- When you have the worst hand, but even if your opponent calls, you are getting great odds on your money
- When you are getting the right pot odds no matter what your opponent holds
- When you have the best hand, and your opponent has the right pot odds to call, but an all-in bet might scare him into folding.

Some great online poker secrets on your opponents:

Put your opponent on hands
Look for betting patterns
Remember showdown hands and positions
Figure out what mood your opponents are in (if they are speaking)

These are all good things to think about while playing online poker

After you have answered the first set of questions, then the most important ones come into play:

1. Should I bet?
- If you think you have the best hand, the answer is 99% YES!
- If you think you can fold a weak/passive player to fold, then the answer shoudl be YES!
- If I have a good draw and I think my opponent will fold, the answer is YES!

2. Should I check or fold?
- If you think you have the worst hand, the answer is YES!
- If you think my opponent is strong, the answer is YES!
- If you are on a draw and you are not getting a good price, he ansewr is YES, YES, YES!

Dont give up at the end!  A big mistake that happens in poker, is that you realized by the time the river comes – you may not be good.  If you realize this, the biggest mistake you can make is Not betting (unless of course, you have absolute rubbish).  Make the final bet.  You may be surprised, and at the very least, you are putting the decision on your opponent instead of allowing them to do to you.