Beginner Adjusting to Different Stack Sizes in the Big Blind David Parker URL has been copied successfully! Adjusting to stack sizes helps reduce costly mistakes and allows you to defend more confidently Playing from the big blind can feel uncomfortable for beginners, especially because you are forced to put chips in before seeing your cards. The key to handling this spot well is understanding how stack sizes change your decisions. Your strategy should shift depending on whether you or your opponents are deep or short-stacked. When stacks are deep, you have more room to maneuver after the flop. Calling with suited connectors or small pairs becomes more attractive because you can win a large pot if you hit strong hands. However, you must stay cautious with weak top pairs, since deep stacks increase the risk of losing big pots. Against medium stacks, focus on solid, straightforward decisions. Defend your big blind with hands that have reasonable playability, but avoid getting too creative. You will not have as much flexibility as in deep-stack situations, so prioritize hands that can flop top pair or strong draws. Short-stack situations require a different mindset entirely. When you or your opponent has a small stack, pre-flop decisions and post-flop play become critical. This is often a shove-or-fold dynamic, especially in tournaments. Hands like suited aces, broadway cards, and pocket pairs gain value because they perform well all-in. Pay attention to the raiser’s stack as well. If a short stack opens from late position, you can apply pressure with a re-shove. If a deep stack raises, be prepared for more complex post-flop play and avoid marginal hands out of position.