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Whether you love to play poker tournaments or cash games, LearnWPT has the tools and techniques you need to build a poker game plan that enhances your strengths and protects your weaknesses.

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Should You Play a 🛰️ Satellite Differently?

WPT Steps is your chance to parlay a small buy-in into a life changing score, and maybe even have your name etched on the Mike Sexton Champions Cup! To make the most of your opportunity, it’s crucial to make sure you are playing the correct strategy.

So how can you get an edge in your next WPT Steps Event?

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

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

🗝️ Key Reminders for Your Next Satellite

🡆 Everyone gets paid the same prize. Often there may be an additional amount remaining in the prize pool that gets distributed to players who don’t win seats to the target event, this amount is usually smaller than the value of the main prizes awarded for the Satellite

🡆 No incentive to build a large stack once you are likely to win and secure a seat

🡆 As the probability to win a seat goes up, your ranges in all spots tighten up

🡆 There are times in satellites 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

How Would A Pro Play It?

In a satellite 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 with 11 players remaining. 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. What do you do here?

It’s YOUR Turn to Play!

Picture yourself as one of the 6 remaining players in a WPT Steps Final, with only 5 WPT Main Event packages up for grabs 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.

Love Cash Games Too? We Got You Covered!

Your favorite cash game can be even more fun when you have key strategies to set you up for success. One of the best ways to start off with an advantage is to make sure that you are playing the right starting hands preflop.

Watch this Strategy Episode from Nick Binger for an instant upgrade to your preflop cash game strategy. Stick to these rock solid first-in hand ranges preflop and you’ll be set up to take down more pots with aggression and keep tough opponents on their heels.

Be sure to download your free copy of these detailed hand range charts and watch the video for a complete breakdown of how to use them by seat position.

Get More FREE Strategy from LearnWPT

LearnWPT and WPT Steps want you to have more fun playing poker (and let’s face it - nothing is more fun than winning!). Step Up your game with poker strategy from LearnWPT and the WPT GTO Trainer.

Subscribe below to receive FREE poker strategy content, weekly quizzes, downloadable tools, and more:

Put these strategies in action during your next WPT Steps event or cash game session.

Good luck and good playing!
-LearnWPT