2016 World Champion Qui "Tommygun" Nguyen’s Top 7 Tips for Dominating the Final Table
1. Understand Your Opponent’s Motivations
A retired Marine, who often finds wisdom in the quotes of great military leaders, told me something during the World Series that stuck with me: “Wars are lost in minds before they are lost on the battlefield.” Players have different ways of approaching poker in general, but also specific ways they approach the larger money offered at final tables. Some are looking to creep up the money ladder, some are treating it as “first place or bust” situation. From whatever comments players make or from reading the expressions on their faces, you can see some of what drives them, and this drive will dictate much of their play.
2. Assume the Role of "Table Captain"
Being the player others need to keep an eye on when making all decisions is a huge advantage. The poker saying that “aggression pays” is never so true as it is at a final table. If a player is hesitant to raise in the cutoff in a steal situation because they are concerned that you’ll three-bet them out of the small blind means you are controlling the action even when you are out of position. Having protection against losing chips in the blinds or being bullied off hands is invaluable in maintaining your chip stack. My A-4 offsuit four-bet on the opening hand at the final table of the 2016 WSOP was my attempt to set exactly this standard.
3. Be Unpredictable
Another part of all poker success is not to become predictable. It is impossible to make a profit if every betting action allows your opponents to put you on a very narrow range of hands. You might as well play open-handed. Even though every decent poker player knows this, many players at final tables come in with a strategy that tells you whether they are betting with a monster, or a marginal hand that they will fold to a reraise. Players who shove all-in after having missed the board completely (in the right situation of course), and then do the same with top set become very hard to play against.
4. Pay Attention to Stack Sizes
When you’re the big stack, don’t make the mistake of attacking the small stacks. It’s the medium stacks you’re after. The small stacks know that they are going to have to make a stand soon. They are looking for a spot to 3-bet you all-in. The medium stacks, on the other hand, are waiting for the small stacks to get eliminated. The last thing they want to do is get into a confrontation with the chip leader, and risk an early elimination themselves. Even when you’re a small stack, you can attack the medium stacks. They are hoping SOMEONE ELSE will eliminate you. They don’t want to take the chance of doubling you up, and then they become a short stack!
5. Shifting Gears
Successful deep stack final table poker requires the ability to not only be unpredictable, but being able to shift styles constantly as other adjust to your play. Sometimes you must let go of a hand when your gut tells you to, even if your natural style is to strike back and re-seize control. After your opponents are aware that you have successfully bluffed them off several hands, it may be time to slow down a bit and wait for a powerful hand where they’ll pay you off. Managing and changing your own style throughout the final table is critical.
6. Play Your Best, Every Hand
When I won the World Series of Poker, I had to play 364 hands over more than 15 hours. And I had to play my best on every hand. That means focusing. No texting, no drinking, always focusing. At the final table, you can’t buy more chips. Every hand can be your last. Your opponents WON’T be playing their best on every hand. They’ll get distracted, tired, or bored. You gain a huge advantage on them by making a promise to yourself to play your best on EVERY hand.
7. Have the Mindset of Nothing to Lose
At the end of the day it’s just a poker game. You are not facing life or death and you need to be able to make decisions without fear and anxiety. If you make enough correct decisions at the right times, you’ll be in good shape, but there always may be a big decision that blows up on you and puts you out of the tournament. But playing scared will almost always catch up to you. Bring determination and focus to the tables, and leave fear at home.
