The Art Of Deal Making

Most of the online poker rooms offer deal making at the final table. The prize pools in Texas holdem tournaments tend to be top-heavy with the top 2 finishers getting over 60% of the pot and typically 1st place takes twice the pot that the 2nd runner up does. With this deal making possibility there are various positions that you as a player can use this to your advantage to make more money. How do we do this?

Everyone in a poker tournament wants to win because the big money is at the 1st place position. That being said, winning first place doesn't necessarily mean that is the only way to make money. Why would you make a deal? What if you could have a share of the 1st place prize?

Most poker players play for money more than they do for the glory of winning. This is where the dealmakers come in. Remember there are players who have a no deal policy, me being one of them! However that being said there are players who will take advantage of this opportunity.

Try making a deal before you play the big blind, but if your opponent tries to deal before he pays the big blind make sure he pays more money for it!

One of the most effective deal making strategies is to play coy! If asked to make a deal the best bet is to say no thank you in the beginning. There will always be a player at the table who really wants the deal and will pay premium for it. This is called Bluffing the Deal Maker.

The Art of Deal Making at the poker table is a skill that is developed over time. Watch out for the shrewd one and don't be afraid to exercise your options either. Deal Making is definitely one of the bigger parts of the final table in a poker tournament so be prepared to maximize your dollars by hanging tough.