My TOP 10 Tips to Crush Small Stakes Tournaments [MTTs]

World renowned poker coach, Jonathan Little, will take you through his top 10 tips for small stakes tournaments to help you get started in your poker journey! If you're looking to crush $1-$1000 tournaments, studying & improving is key!

These tips will help take you from a break-even player to a tournament crusher!

Poker Tip #1: Play Tight Early On
Poker Tip #2: Raise Often & Raise Small
Poker Tip #3: Defend Your Big Blind Often
Poker Tip #4: Continuation Bet Less Often
Poker Tip #5: Consider the Future Streets
Poker Tip #6: Play More Hands in Later Levels
Poker Tip #7: Use Bubbles to Your Advantage
Poker Tip #8: Learn About ICM
Poker Tip #9: Study Preflop Charts Regularly
Poker Tip #10: Play the Right Tournaments

[MyPokerCoaching]

What is your favorite tournament poker memory?

[charlesbarkley]

As someone who regularly plays MTTs, I can say that most of these are worth their weight in gold, very helpful.

[zachhuntington]

Can’t lie no matter how bullshit this sounds I watched this video before going into a tournament after not cashing ever (played over 15-20 in person) and I finally got my first ever live cash.. thank you for posting these they help out so much

[MatWalter-qh]

Great videos you are putting out. I am so glad 90 % of people WONT study anything as you are really giving up the goods. I have watched probably 5-6 vids and there is no doubt at all my game is improved. Plug the leaks basically. Keep up the good work for my sake. Cheers

[diviningoildesigns]

This was really good. So, long story short, I started with stud as a child. My parents played and that’s how I learned. Fast forward to 2018, my father passed away and I wanted to do something to honor our family and I picked up poker again. I started back in 2019 and it was the first time I started with Hold ‘Em.

Covid rolled around and I took a break.

Well since last year, 2023, I’ve been playing regularly and have really seen growth in my game in the last year. I tend to make a lot of final tables and cash often but here’s my issue…that I need help with. While I’m proud of my poker play for only playing for one year…I’m struggling with these things:

1.) I’m always the short stack at final. I keep wondering why I’m never chipped up and where I’m going wrong there.

2.) This goes a long with number one…I can’t seem to grow my stack like I want it early on. Sometimes I do but most times I’m not.

3.) I play too much in fear when I know I should be calling. I think everyone has Aces or something because I make the mistake of thinking these players play like I do and I fold too much even if I’m winning. I’m being bluffed off too much and I know it. I need to figure out how to hero call way more and stop playing scared. Scared is not making money and I know it.

4.) I need more help with my post flop game than my pre. I think my pre is better than my post but both need work.

5.) I’d definitely like to know more about ICM payouts for sure. That’s helpful.

6.) I’m struggling with the grind. Toward the end of big tournaments and I’ve been at the table for 7+ hours I start getting really punchy and can’t see cards and focus. My mental stamina needs help.

And finally I’m about to go play the WSOP circuit here at Cherokee next month and I really want to be prepared for it.

What is your advice for me considering what I just said above?

Your videos are great. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Zawebancija]

Another great vid - simple and to the point!

[adrianalvarado]

Awesome video.
ICM video would be very helpful

[lawrenceclowney]

I would like to learn about ICM. please make a video about ICM. You're one of my favorites and I would like to hear your input

[PokerCoaching]

Good luck at your next poker tournament :)

[davidoberry]

Should we or can we use the preflop chart in tip 3 in a cash game or should this chart only be for mtts?

[mastodon]

I dont understand the consept of 'defending the blinds".... Why you have to protect it?? If you steal the pot on button preflop for example, , then you already have the blinds. Its hard for me to explain what I mean but I think you can "defend the blinds" on every position the future blinds.

[FischerLX]

I’ve noticed at my local live tournaments ($20/$40 buyin) there are a lot of people who limp in with premiums and a raise is essentially a 3-bet strength. Any ideas on exploiting? Tighten up and work to outmaneuver post flop?

[kynox]

I didnt understood if you're saying that as shortstack, one should settler for little money insted of using the bubble for trying to grow up and play for the win, or the opposite. Anyone could make it clear for me? thanks

[LillianLewis-wr]

Good luck at your next poker tournament :)