How to Triple Your Chip Stack in a Poker Tournament

On Day 1 of the Aussie Millions, Gus Hansen went from $20k to $66.7k. How did he triple his chip stack?

It is interesting to find that he increased his stack primarily on 4 hands. Would you play them the same way?

Hand 11: From 10.22k to 15.23k
Blinds: 100/200
Position: BB
Hand: Jc-9c

2 players limp and another player raises to 800. There is 1500 in the pot, and it will cost 600 more for Gus to call. He has suited connectors and is getting over 2 to 1. He calls. The limpers fold.

Flop: Jh-6s-3h. Gus check calls, the 1200 bet into the 2100 pot.

Turn: Js. Gus check raises all-in. His opponent folds.

Conclusion: Standard play.

Hand 14: From 12.6k to 28.85k
Blinds: 100/200
Position: 1st
Hand: Kd-9d

Gus raises to 600 and gets two callers.

Flop: 8d-6s-3d. Gus bets, one player calls, and another check raises to 3200. He calls as does the other player.

Turn: 6d. The chec-raiser checks, and Gus moves all-in. The BB calls with Jc-8s!

River: 2s.

Conclusion: A loose pre-flop raise under the gun by Gus. The BB made a very strange call on the turn--thinking Gus was bluffing.

Hand 17: From 26.6k to 53.2k
Blinds: 100/200/25
Position: 2 off button
Hand: Jc-5c

Gus raises to 600 and the button makes it 1200. Gus calls--since this is a min raise which looks like he wants a call.

Flop: Kc-9s-3c.

Gus and the min raiser checks.

Turn: 8c.

Gus bets 2000, his opponent raises to 6000, and Gus moves all with his flush. His opponent calls with a set of 9's.

River is 4h. Gus wins.

Conclusion: A loose pre-flop raise leads to a big win. I've been in the position of the player with the set, and I called even though I was 99.9% sure my opponent had the flush. I lost as well.

Hand 31: From 54k to 68.8k
Blinds: 300/600/75
Position: 2 off button
Hand: Ac-Td

Gus opens for 1800. The button and BB call.

Fop 10s-8d-3s. Gus bets 4800 into the 6450 pot and the button calls.

Turn 8s. Both players check.

River: 6c. Gus bets 6300 and gets called. He wins as his opponent mucks after seeing Gus' hand.

Conclusion: Pretty standard play. His opponent could have tried to bluff a flush by betting the turn and the river.

Overall, it is interesting to see that Gus won big pots twice by playing hands that most players would not play, and of course, entering the pot with a raise.