More than ever, today's poker experience makes available to the player any number of opportunities to get into bigger tournaments, or win fabulous trips to exotic destinations, all for a very reasonable buyin.

For instance, today I could saddle up to my computer, and play for a trip to Australia (at either of two different sites), or a trip to France.

Traditionally, super satellites have represented excellent value, and the online super experience of today is no different. Though it still is very much of a crapshoot.

So, what kind of players play in these tournaments, and what should your mindset be when approaching them?

The first thing one must understand when considering these tournaments is the investment of time one must make. Often, these tournaments will take four, or up to six hours to complete. Additionally, if the prize is a really sexy one (trip to Australia, and entry into a $8,000 event, for example), you are bound to be in it with at least several world-class players. Thirdly, because of the high trip value relative to the buy in, you are looking at 1 in 60, or maybe even worse shot at getting there. First, I'll look at freezeout supers (non rebuy), and then go into some special considerations for unlimited rebuy supers.

Freezout Super Satellites...

So... let's analyze the scenario... only one in 60 players (let's say) get a seat/trip, and in all likelihood, unless your name rhymes with Foil Trunson, or Haniel Degraneau, you are up against at least a few players who have a bit of a skill edge. So, what does that mean...?

You must gamble.

To have any shot at winning one of these precious few prizes, you are going to have to get in there pretty much from the start, and really gamble it up. If you can land yourself a big stack going into the middle part of the tourney, then you can tighten up a bit, and go a little more into survival mode. But, in my opinion, there is no scenario in poker where you cannot afford to get short stacked more than in these types of events. You must accumulate chips in order to be competitive. Tight players cannot compete in this environment.

Another consideration in today's online supers is that there will be a lot of novice players in this environment, and they will make plays, and do unorthodox things that may tip your boat, and cause you to sink. This is simply a fact of life in the online poker world of today, and you must accept it going in, and adjust your mindset accordingly.

If you are fortunate enough to get to the middle stages of the tournament with a stack, now is the time to go into survival mode. Hopefully, by now, you have figured out who at your table is more likely to defend their blinds, and who isn't. Target those who aren't as determined to defend, and pick up blinds. Picking up blinds is absolutely essential at this stage... don't let yourself slip into mediocrity. Mind you, it is still ALL about chips in these types of tourneys, so if you have what you think is a significant edge... get the money in.

When you are close to the bubble, especially if you are one of the bigger stacks, now you can tighten up, and hopefully let the smaller stacks hack away at each other. Learn from my (agonizing) personal experience.

About two years ago, I was the chip leader in an Aruba super satellite...9 (!!) players got a trip, and there were 14 players left. In two consecutive hands, my AA, and KK got cracked, sending me into oblivion, and over the edge mentally. I never recovered, and finished 11th. There was so much steam coming out of my ears, I had steamed Broccoli for dinner... which was tasty, by the way.

Should I have folded either of those hands?? You could certainly make a valid argument for "8220;no way" just based on the individual HAND in front of you at that time... but the point is there was no pressing reason for me to get involved at all... the blinds were so high, I probably could have check/folded my way to Aruba.

Unlimited Rebuy Supers

The rebuy super is actually a different animal than the freezeout. There are those players whose strategy is to move in, and rebuy until they either get a stack, or reach their pain threshold financially. I like to call these players the "Re-Bots". Their strategy CAN work, but it takes a bit of patience to play against these types of players. If you see a Re-bot moving in again, and again with marginal hands - gamble with him when you pick up a hand. Picking off players who are on missions to get stacks regardless of expense are good targets for you to build your initial stack of chips that is crucial to success in these types of events.

The main difference strategically for the unlimited rebuy super is that in my opinion, you need to plan out your rebuys in advance. Decide the number of rebuys you will not exceed (even if that number is one, or ever zero), and stick to that strategy. It is easy to get caught up in the moment. You must accumulate a stack in the unlimited rebuy tournaments, as the big stack will have dozens of times the initial buy in chips at the close of the rebuy period.

From the end of the rebuy period, the tournament plays exactly the same as a freezeout, and thus your strategy should be the same.

The main advantage of an unlimited rebuy tourney is that because of the high number of rebuys per player, they almost always give out more seats in a rebuy than a freezeout. So, you may be looking at a one in 20 shot, instead of a one in 60... much better odds.

The opportunities for online players to win fabulous prizes have never been greater then they are today. Get out there, gamble it up... and enjoy.

See you on the felt.

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