How do you play with a big stack?

[Waggho]

Suppose you have tripled your stack or something like that, so you´re the big stack at the table. How do you play by then? Are you more likely to call? Very often I see big stacks calling all the time because they can afford it. They also often call all-ins and sometimes win them with KT or something like that. But less often, I see them using their big stacks to push around people and making them fold, which I think would be the most logical play.

Also, I tend to get nervous with a big stack since you have more to lose. And I´m often worried about getting loose and playing semi-shit hands just because the cost to call is not so big.

What are your best tipses on playing the big stack?

[Sed]

I don't like the idea of playing too many more hands when a big stack, maybe loosen up a little bit. Seems like loosening up a lot would be a pretty bad leak. The hands I do come into I play to push people out at the slightest sign of weakness.

- sed

[dalecooper]

I agree... I loosen up very slightly and become more aggressive at any signs of weakness.

[Penneywize]

When I get up to about 3x the max buy-in I do tend, subconciously or not, to play more loose. I'll call all-ins from short-stacked players if I have premium cards (say groups 2-5), especially if I sense they are on a tilt.

I'll limp more than usual with crap hands hoping to catch, if I have position. And yes I know this is a quick way to the poor house if I get unlucky so I'm trying to combat this weakness in my style of play.

I guess if you're ever feeling uncomfortable (though you shouldn't, and take advantage) with a large stack, you can always leave the table and 'bank' your winnings and return to your seat.

[Mony B]

I dont think playing more cards is very profitable just because you have more profit to throw around. At most maybe open up from group 0-4 hands but not a whole lot more that that. What you can do though is look for weakness and be aggressive with that. If you see someone acting weak, dont be afraid to push a little money around. If you cannot play comfortable at your limits back down a little bit until you get your strat down.