Satellite poker tournaments are a great way to play a larger buy-in event at a lower price. So you don’t need to have big bucks to be in contention for a game-changing score, LearnWPT is here to help increase your edge with key adjustments for satellite play.

Use the strategies below to sharpen your focus and who knows, maybe you’ll turn a few bucks into a huge payday.

Should You Play a 🛰️ Satellite Differently?

YES YOU SHOULD!

Approaching satellite play with the same strategy used in a regular poker tournament will often result in you busting when you would otherwise have a seat to the target tournament locked up.

Watch this Strategy Episode from LearnWPT Instructor Nick Binger as he discusses the key strategic adjustments you need to make when playing Satellite Poker Tournaments.

Need Help Closing The Deal?

In this LearnWPT Strategy Episode watch and learn as Nick Binger reviews several key hands from a Satellite to highlight the unique adjustments during the endgame.

These strategy concepts could help you avoid busting on the bubble and secure your seat to a WPT Championship!

The Keys 🗝️ to Satellite Play

• Everyone gets paid the same prize
• Make sure you know the rules of the Satellite you are playing and how to secure your seat
• Satellites can be played a number of ways, from traditional freezeout, to milestone, to shootout format
• No incentive to build a large stack once you are likely to win a seat
• As the probability of winning a seat goes up, your ranges in all spots tighten up
• There are times in a satellite poker tournament when players should never continue against an all-in
• Satellites are the only form of poker where it can be correct to fold pocket Aces preflop
• Pay very close attention to stack sizes and level changes!
• Often in the satellite endgame 10BBs may be a big stack that is guaranteed to win a seat

Get your mental game in shape with LearnWPT Mental Game Coach Jared Tendler as he provides you with a game plan for handling the pressure and a mindset ready for success.

Quiz Time! Test Your Satellite Skills

In a satellite poker tournament where blinds are 900/1,800 with a 1,800 big blind ante there are 11 players remaining with 6 players winning a $7,200 main event package. Places 7-10 get $1050 in cash and 11th gets $100. You are currently in 6th chip position.

The Cutoff (who is the short stack at the table) moves all-in for 28,400. Action folds around to you in the Big Blind with A♥K♦ and 28,000 behind. Action is on you, what do you do here?

It’s YOUR Turn to Play!

Picture yourself as one of 6 remaining players in a Satellite at this Final Table. How do you protect your 30 Big Blind stack against the tough chip leader with two short stacks in play and lock up your seat?

Click below to play a free Final Table Sample pack from the WPT GTO Trainer to see firsthand how decisions change at the final table.

As you train remember to:

• Play in a way to avoid busting out to the chip leader
• You will check and call more often than bet or raise
• You still need some bluffs in your range to prevent the chip leader from exploiting you
• Almost never lead out from the Big Blind after calling preflop
• Don’t be afraid to fold marginal hands against big bets that could set up an all-in situation on a future street
• When facing an aggressive chip leader, you should often trap by check-calling with your big made hands
  

Do your best to choose the ideal action at every point. Your goal is to keep "EV Loss" in the green and close to 0.

Please share your success and let us know how these strategies changed your game! Follow and tag us on social media to share your pic with members of Team LearnWPT, show off your chip stack, or celebrate a deep run.

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We love to hear how LearnWPT Students are doing and we can’t wait to share your success at the poker table!

Good luck and good playing,
-Team LearnWPT