A Satellite tournament is a lower cost tournament where the prize is free entry into a more expensive event. For example, there may be a $5 entry fee satellite where the top 10% of players win entry into a tournament that would usually cost $50 entry fee.

Satellite tournaments are often considered a way for players to get into tournament that they cannot afford a normal buy-in for, but players who understand the structure of a satellite can make them profitable in their own right.

The Difference Between Satellite and Multi-Table Tournaments

Satellite tournaments have some differences from regular multi-table poker tournaments because all winners win the same thing, so coming in 10th may be just as good as winning. In fact, the final table of a satellite may not even be played out, as everyone who gets there wins the same thing. Because of this difference, and the types of players who are attracted to satellites, you need to adjust your play accordingly:

You should try to see a lot of early flops if your hands allow it

Satellites have a lot more fish, very loose players, than usual. Advanced players don't consider satellites worth their time. Because of this, if you can make calls from good positions if you can be confident that you won't get raised. If you can accumulate a chip lead early on in a satellite, it's much easier to do well when all the fish have lost.

Avoid "coin flip" hands early - Just to be on the Safe Side

If you aren't sure whether or not you should play a hand, probably choose not to. You want to get your poker chips in when you are confident you have the best hand, but since early leads are so important, throwing chips at a 50/50 can be equally punishing if you lose. The goal of a satellite should always be survival.

If you find yourself doing well enough to have a large stack during late poker play, avoid confrontations with other big stacks. There is no need to risk your chips if you are already in a winning position.

For example, if 20 seats are available and you find yourself in 4th of a remaining 26 players, you don't want to lose a lot of chips when you can almost surely fold into the money. Even if you play a good hand like pocket queens, and a chip leader re-raises you pre-flop, even though odds are still in your favor, it's usually not worth the risk, and the proper action is to fold. Just hold on to your chips until a few players bust, and you'll win.

What T o Do if you find yourself Barely Hanging On

If, however, you find yourself barely hanging on late game, you should target the middle and large stacks at your table. These are players who are in the position to win the tournament but who cannot afford to risk losing chips. Make sure you try to steal blinds whenever you have the chance because they're likely to only defend the absolute best hands, and will fold almost everything if you show any aggression.

Just stealing a few blinds can greatly increase your longevity. The people to avoid are other short stacks who are desperate and loose, and the chip leaders who will risk a small portion of their chips often if it means they may knock out a player and end the tournament earlier.