If you have been following this blog, you know I’m making a transition from live cash games to online MTTs. I’ll be honest with you—poker tournaments are a whole different beast. You’ve got to know when to be aggressive, when to sit tight, and how to play every stack size against a full table of players of varying skill level players. Although, early stages of tournaments are similar to cash games games, and having a good foundation is essential, whatever variant of NLHE you choose to play, as the tournament progresses having a unique understanding of tournament structure is essential to become a winning player.

Jonathan Little’s Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker: The Essential Guide is a great start. Whether your just starting your MTT journey or want an in depth understanding of how the game is played, I can give an honest recommendation. Little’s been around the block (and by block, I mean millions of dollars in tournament winnings), and his advice is pure gold. If you follow him on YouTube, you know by now that his methodic way of breaking down complex concepts is truly remarkable.   

If you’re serious about improving your tournament game—or even if you just want to stop feeling lost when the blinds go up—this book is for you. 

Why This Book Is a Game-Changer 

Poker strategy has come a long way in the last decade. What worked in 2010 isn’t cutting it today. That’s why Jonathan Little revisited his original bestseller, updated it, and packed it with all the tools you need to dominate modern tournaments. 

This isn’t just some dusty old strategy guide. It’s current, practical, and easy to understand, even if you’re not a math genius. 

Here’s the kicker: it’s not just about playing your cards. It’s about mastering the entire tournament experience, from the first hand to the final table. 

What You’ll Learn 

The book is broken into seven sections, and each one builds on the last. Here’s a quick overview of the highlights: 

1.      How Tournaments Work

Jonathan Little starts by answering a crucial question: Why are tournaments such a profitable form of poker? It’s not just about winning hands—it’s about mastering the nuances of tournament dynamics and playing smarter than your opponents.

Tournaments offer unique opportunities that other formats, like cash games, simply don’t. The prize pool structure rewards those who can outlast and outmaneuver the field, not just those who win the most chips in any given hand. Little dives into why the combination of increasing blinds, escalating pressure, and varying stack sizes creates a highly profitable environment for players who understand the game’s deeper strategy.

One of the biggest takeaways from this section is that tournaments are all about survival, not just aggression. Little explains the importance of conserving your stack in the early stages while strategically picking spots to grow it. He also discusses how tournament equity—your share of the prize pool based on your current stack size—should influence every decision you make.

Key points include:

• Understanding how payout structures influence your strategy.
• The significance of adjusting your play based on the tournament stage.
• Why maximizing your stack early can give you a big edge in the later stages.
• How tournament pros capitalize on the mistakes of recreational players who don’t adapt to these dynamics.

By the time you finish this section, you’ll see tournaments not as a series of disconnected hands, but as a cohesive game of survival, strategy, and timing.

2. Playing Deep-Stacked

Got 50 big blinds or more? This section is all about maximizing your chips without falling into the trap of overplaying marginal hands. Deep-stacked play allows for more creativity, but it also demands discipline. Little teaches you how to play a solid pre-flop strategy while navigating tricky post-flop situations.

Key topics include:

• Balancing aggression with caution in multi-street hands.
• How to extract value from weaker opponents without exposing yourself to risk.
• Recognizing when to commit your stack versus when to pot control.

3. Playing Mid-Stacked

This is where the waters get murky. With 27–50 big blinds, every decision feels like it carries extra weight. One misstep—whether it’s overcommitting with a marginal hand or folding too often—and you could find yourself in trouble fast.

Jonathan Little offers practical advice for navigating this stack size, focusing on concepts like:

• When to shift gears from passive to aggressive play.
• How to read the table and exploit your opponents’ tendencies.
• Recognizing when you’re in the danger zone and adjusting accordingly.

4. Playing Short-Stacked

If you’re like me, you’ve probably panicked once or twice when your stack dips below 20 big blinds. The temptation to shove with any two cards is real, but Little shows you how to stay calm, calculate your ranges, and make smart decisions.

Key takeaways:

• The art of fold equity: knowing when your all-in can force folds.
• Optimal push-fold ranges based on position and stack sizes.
• How to spot and exploit weak short-stacked play from your opponents.

5. The Late Stages

When the big money is on the line, everything changes. Bubble play, risk premium, and Independent Chip Model (ICM) calculations become critical. Little demystifies these concepts, breaking them down into simple, actionable strategies.

Highlights include:

• How to capitalize on opponents’ fear during the bubble.
• Adjusting your ranges when prize jumps are at stake.
• Why ICM is the most important concept you’ll ever learn for tournament success.

6. Hand Examples

This part is like the final exam after the course. Jonathan Little presents real-world hands and challenges you to apply everything you’ve learned. Whether it’s deciding when to bluff or figuring out if your opponent’s shove is profitable to call, this section tests your skills in a practical, hands-on way.

7. Other Considerations

Here’s where Little dives into the stuff most poker books ignore: mindset, learning habits, and the grind of tournament play. He shares tips on how to stay mentally sharp, deal with bad beats, and continuously improve your game over time.

Key advice:

• Building a strong mental game to handle variance.
• Developing a study routine that maximizes learning without burning out.
• Staying disciplined during long sessions and maintaining focus.

What I Loved 

- It’s Practical: Every strategy feels like something you can actually use in your next game. 

- It’s Updated: Poker’s changed a lot in the past 10 years, and this book reflects that. 

- It’s Affordable: For the price of a tournament buy-in (or less), you get a guide that could save you thousands in mistakes. 

My Biggest Takeaway 

The section on bubble play blew my mind. I used to play way too conservatively on the bubble, hoping to sneak into the money. Little’s advice helped me realize I was playing it wrong. Most of the money in tournaments are in the first three places, and should be my goal. But, since most opponents just want to make it to the money, you can capitalize on their fear. 

Who Should Read This? 

- Beginners: If you’re just getting into tournaments, this book is the perfect starting point. 

- Intermediate Players: Want to break through your current plateau? This book will give you the tools to do it. 

- Budget-Conscious Learners: Let’s face it, poker training can get pricey. This book is a steal for the amount of value it delivers. 

Final Thoughts 

Jonathan Little’s Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker is more than just a poker book—it’s a roadmap to success. Whether you’re playing $10 buy-ins online or taking shots at high stake live MTTs, the strategies in this book will help you make better decisions and deeper runs. 

If you’re ready to stop winging it and start to up your game, grab your copy of Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker: The Essential Guide today. It’s a small investment that can make a huge difference. 

See you at the tables!
Alon Marcus

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