Ladder
What Does Ladder Mean in Poker?
In poker, ‘ladder’ refers to the strategy of gradually moving up the payout structure in a tournament by surviving longer than other players, often by playing conservatively to avoid being knocked out and thus achieving a higher finishing position. Learn more about online poker strategies.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Ladder
You’ll hear ‘ladder’ in tournament settings, especially during the bubble phase or near final tables, where players aim to outlast others to secure a bigger payout.
In-Game Example
You’re short-stacked in a tournament and decide to fold marginal hands, allowing more aggressive players to knock each other out, thus increasing your position and payout as you ‘ladder’ up the prize pool.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Use the laddering strategy when you’re close to a significant pay jump, and your chip stack is not ideal for aggressive plays.
- Common Mistake: Overusing the laddering approach, leading to missed opportunities to accumulate chips when you have a strong hand.
- Pro Tips: Be aware of the payout structure and adjust your play accordingly. In online play, use HUDs to track opponents’ tendencies to exploit when they are also trying to ladder.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Online, the anonymity might cause players to take more risks, while live games offer more psychological reads to exploit during laddering.
Alternative Names
“Moving up the pay ladder”
FAQs
Q: Is laddering always a passive strategy?
A: Not necessarily. While it often involves conservative play, it can also involve strategic aggression to exploit others who are trying to ladder.
