Tournaments are much different from cash games. In cash games, the winner can instantly collect his or her winnings and continue playing. Additionally, you may have as many chips as you like or purchase additional chips.
In tournaments, the quantity of chips is determined by the regulations, and a player must reach a specific level in order to swap his chips for cash.
The strategy and phases of poker tournaments.
Early stage – it is not advised to be aggressive at this time. Early on, you may encounter a large number of novice opponents, who will frequently bluff, call every stake, and act impulsively. You should play defensively against them.
Medium stage – your primary objective during this stage is to build your stack as much as feasible. It is preferable to minimize unnecessary risks, such as entering a draw without the raise. For this stage, aggressive, tight playing is recommended.
At this time, all players believe victory is imminent and attempt to play extremely cautiously. This permits violence, such as collecting antes and stealing blinds.
In the final level, you will face the finest players, who likely have years of expertise. The finest piece of advise is to remain calm and concentrate on the game itself, rather than the money you may earn. Playing against experienced opponents who will adapt and change their plans makes it difficult to select a single approach that will work properly at this point.