Last week we looked at adjusting to tight tables in cash games and this week we look at adjusting to tight tables in tournaments.

Stack sizes play a vital role in No Limit Hold' Em due to implied odds and you should adapt your tactics according to your stack size.

Again we are generally talking about pre-flop play against tight players as usually the different tactics you would adopt against a tight, aggressive player compared to a tight, passive player only really comes into effect post-flop.

Firstly we look at how to act with three different stack sizes at tight tables when nobody has yet bet pre-flop.

1) With a small stack less than 50 times the big blind, this is the situation where you should go close to gung-ho especially when in late position. The blinds and antes form a sizeable percentage of your potential pot so facing a tight table you want to steal freely. However do be cautious as you could be facing the exit door if a large chunk, or indeed all, of your chips go into the middle when you hold nothing against a tight player.

2) With an average size stack around 50 to 150 times the big blind, this is a situation where can you afford to mix your strategy. You should again be looking to steal the blinds when in late position and display aggression when in that advantageous position just to the right of the blinds. However steer clear of throwing too much in with a loose pre-flop hand which leaves you in a dodgy position post-flop.

3) With a deep stack over 150 times the big blind, the main difference between cash games and tournaments in this position is that although you can play loose, you shouldn't be so loose that you get caught with a bad hand and exit the tournament. You should again be looking to steal the blinds when in late position and display aggression when in that advantageous position just to the right of the blinds. If you can build pots early on that will prompt tight players to often fold and you win big pots just on fold equity.

Now we look at how to act with three different stack sizes at tight tables with a raised pot.

1) With a small stack less than 50 times the big blind, this is a situation where you have to read the quality of your opponents. Decent level players with small stacks will raise with more hands and thus if they're raising then you should call a little tighter. But as a rule of thumb if you feel they are still playing very cautiously and only raising with premium hands, then you have to make moves.

2) With an average size stack around 50 to 150 times the big blind, this is a time to play very tight as you are in something of a no-mans land. To few chips to make speculative calls based on implied odds and too many chips to make bold moves. Too many loose calls or raises can deplete your stack in the flash of an eye.

3) With a deep stack over 150 times the big blind, like cash games when you are deepstacked you make some loose calls because the implied odds are so much in your favour. Doubling up early on with a big hand can take you out of sight and on the road to victory. There is nothing particularly wrong with playing tight to conserve your stack but it's a little tedious and you are missing a good opportunity to dominate totally.

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport