Suppose you are playing in a $6 buy-in, one table, No-limit holdem tournament. (Which, I might point out, is a great place to begin your tournament play). It’s the first level, the blinds are $10-$15, you have $800 in chips and you’re first to act. You look down to find 7 7. What is your play?

a. Move all-in
b. Raise to $30
c. Call the $15
d. Raise to$100

You have a medium pair, not a strong hand, but still, one that warrants seeing the flop with. If you made a big raise and someone called, you would probably be behind. The best play is to not jeopardize a lot of chips, just call the $15 and see what everyone else does.

If someone makes a big raise you will have to fold. If they make a normal raise of 3-4 times the big blind you can call and hope to hit a 7 so you can play a big pot. You would rather see the flop cheap. You are under no pressure to play in the first couple levels unless you lose a bunch of your chips.

Another $6 one table No-limit holdem tournament, and the blinds are $15-$30. You have $1000 in the big blind with 5 5. Mr. Tight with $1000 raises to $60 in first position. Mr. Reckless calls next to the button, everyone else folds. What is your play?

a. Fold
b. Reraise to $150
c. Call
d. Move all-in

When Mr. Tight comes in for a small raise you know he has some kind of a hand, possibly even a big pair crying for a call. Mr. Reckless could have anything. We have a pair of fives; lets choose c to call the $30 and hope to hit a set.

You are playing in a $6 one table No-limit holdem tournament and the blinds are $25-$50. You lost a couple pots and now only have $400 of your original $800 left. Mr. Tight is in the $50 big blind; everyone folds to Mr. Aggressive to your right who raises the pot to $150. You are on the button and look down to find Jd J. What is your play?

a. Fold
b. Call
c. Raise to $300
d. Move all-in

You have to analyze the situation. Mr. Aggressive knows it’s easy to steal Mr. Tight’s big blind. He always folds for a raise if he doesn’t have a premium hand. You have a pair of Jacks, which is not a great hand, but a good chance of being the best. You are in a little chip trouble from your previous losses. If you just call the $150 bet you will only have $250 left anyway. It is best to choose d and move all-in and give Mr. Aggressive a chance to fold his hand before the flop. This way, you can limit the field.

Suppose you are playing in a $11 buy-in, one table No-limit holdem tournament and the blinds are $200-$400. Four players are left; you have $600 in chips on the button, holding A 10. The player in the big blind has $4000 in chips and the small blind has $3100. Mr. Tight who is under the gun and has to take the $400 big blind next hand, only has $300 left. Mr. Tight folds to you. What is your play?

a. Call $400
b. Fold
c. Raise all-in

The single table tournaments pay three spots … first, second and third with fourth getting nothing. We will assume that A 10 is probably the best hand. Since Mr. Tight must go all-in on the next hand, and a cinch that the big blind will call your raise now, choose b and fold. If you had more money, say $1200, you could then move all-in and try to pick up the blinds. Sometimes it is better to try and slide into the money.

You’re heads up in a $22 buy-in, one table, No-limit holdem tournament and the blinds are $250-$500. You are the button with $1750 and the $250 small blind; your opponent has $5500 and $500 in the big blind. You look down to find K 10. What is your play?

a. Call
b. Move all-in
c. Raise to $1000
d. Fold

With the blinds this high, you must play. K 10 isn’t a big hand, but it is possibly the best hand. In order to have a chance of winning you must go after the blinds. Choose b and move all-in. You could even move all-in with a worse hand simply hoping that they don’t have a hand they can call you with. If they do call, maybe you can get lucky and draw out. Being this short with the high blinds, you are forced to gamble.