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The Poker Tournament Formula 2- Advanced Strategies for Big Money Tournaments 

 

496 Pages 

Arnold Snyders  book looks at tournaments with slower structures such as the bigger  buy-in, pro-level events like the WSOP. This book has alot to offer players wanting to step up from low level buy-in events.

Part 1- 'Principles' here Snyder introduces us to his crucial concept- the concept of 'chip utility' which he defines as "the usefullness or servicability of your chips". Snyder explains that we need to not think of our chips as money but as utility, "when you win chips in a tournament you are really winning utility, and at the same time you are diminishing the utility of your opponents". Snyder explains that chips have many functions in tournaments- they can be used to steal blinds and antes, to see more flops, to drive opponents out of pots, to gain information etc. We gather chips not just to collect them but to 'use' them, primarily to get more chips- and ultimately all of them. Player new to tournaments will find this section helps them to understand tournament play much better and the vast different between  a tourney and a cash games.

Part 2- 'Tools' here Snyder discusses small ball vs long ball styles and at what stages of a tournament they may be usefull. Also discussed in this section is Bluffs and Reads, Attitude and Table image or "Fear Factor'. Here you may find yourself leaning towards playing  the aggressive style he is recommending.

Part 3- 'Strategies'. This chapter is devoted to what Snyder calls the 5 phases of a poker tournament-Stack Building (Snyder is of the 'chip accumulator' school of thought in early rounds), the Minefield (when short stacks get desperate), Bubble (a prime time to build a stack), The Money ( a time for exploiting mass relief) and the Final Table(last chance to screw up), here he shares scenarios from the many tournaments he has played and cashed in over his career including several WSOP events. This section is jam packed with lots of good advice on how to play each phase weather your short stacked or you have 'full utility'.

Part 4- 'For Hard Core Players Only'. This section offers 3 appendices on Bankroll requirements, Satellites and further discussion on Harringtons 'M'.

Overall- Poker Tournament Formula 2 offers original insights into tournament play and certainly has thought provoking concepts.This book is aimed at live play but the concepts and stragies can be adjusted to suit online players. A must read for the player who wants to enter slow structure, big buy-in pro level events.