So, what exactly is monster stack poker anyways? And what are the benefits to playing this style of poker format? Well, I’m glad you asked because it’s not too complicated.
Basically, it refers to the amount of chips you get in an online poker tournament. For example, most tournaments will start you off with anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 chips max. But a monster stack tournament will start you off with a much larger amount from 25,000 to 50,000 chips.
And you might be asking why this type of poker style exists? In my opinion some people prefer to play for longer amounts of time, especially when the buy-in is a bit more expensive.
Now that I’ve given you a quick overview of what this poker format is let’s look at some benefits to playing in this type of tournament.
Benefits To Playing In Monster Stacks
- Deeper Strategy
At the heart of Monster Stack Poker lies the concept of deep stacks, where players start with a substantial number of chips compared to traditional poker formats. This deep stack structure gives players a strategic depth of the game, allowing you more room for maneuvering and decision-making.
With larger chip stacks, the game shifts from quick to more decisive moves and a bit slower at the same time. This gives skilled players the opportunity to showcase their strategic prowess over a more extended period.
I mean you’re not just going to shove it all in after the first hour or two. It will likely drag out much longer than that and allow you to play in way more hands since blinds will be low for an extended period. Unless it’s a turbo.
- Room for Creativity
With so many chips at your disposal in monster stacks it enables players to explore a broader range of strategies. Whether you prefer an aggressive, all-out style or a more cautious, calculated approach, the deep stacks allow for greater versatility in gameplay.
The extended playing time in these tournaments further encourages you to take things slow. With blinds increasing at a slower pace compared to traditional tournaments, players have more opportunities to recover from setbacks, fostering a strategic environment that rewards skillful play over luck.
However, aces will still get cracked but you don’t necessarily have to put your tournament life at risk from the get-go.
- Psychological Advantage
The psychological aspect of trying this format should not be overlooked. Even though you’re not playing a cash game the sheer size of chip stacks can influence players’ mindsets, leading to more cautious play, calculated bluffs, and heightened tension at the table.
For those with a strong psychological game, Monster Stack tournaments provide an ideal platform to exploit opponents’ emotions and tendencies.
The deeper stacks allow for more elaborate mind games, where players can strategically manipulate the perception of their playing style, creating opportunities for well-timed bluffs or strategic retreats. It’s a way to spice things up against your opponents.
- Reduced Variance
In traditional poker tournaments, the impact of variance can be significant, with a few unlucky hands potentially leading to early elimination. Monster Stack Poker mitigates this risk by providing you with a bigger cushion of chips.
This reduction in variance helps skilled players have a better chance of expressing their abilities over the long run, rather than being subject to the whims of short-term luck. Which I’ve already mentioned twice now.
Keep in mind that the playing time and slower blind increases contribute to a more skill environment, separating the elite players from those reliant on luck. Which is something to consider if you want to start playing tournaments a bit more over cash games.
Disadvantages To Monster Stack
However, not all is gravy playing in this style of poker. There are also some disadvantages as well. Here are a few of them.
- Prolonged Playing Time
Ah, this is a big one. Playing in deep stacks that contribute to its strategic depth can also be a double-edged sword. The extended playing time inherent in deep stack tournaments can be a disadvantage for players who prefer a quicker, more dynamic poker experience.
You will likely be sitting around playing for anywhere between 6 and 9 hours, especially if you run deep. This is just something to consider before making an investment in buying a ticket for one of them.
- Mental Fatigue
Getting tired of playing poker is a real thing. Sitting on your phone or laptop for an extended period can lead to mental fatigue and sometimes burnout.
Maintaining focus and concentration over an extended period becomes a significant challenge, especially in the later stages of the tournament when the competition gets harder. Decision-making can become more arduous as players grapple with the cumulative effects of mental fatigue, potentially impacting the quality of their strategic choices.
Unlike shorter formats where mental sharpness is crucial but sustained for a shorter duration, Monster Stack Poker demands a more prolonged and sustained cognitive effort, which may not be appealing to everyone, particularly those seeking a more relaxed or casual poker experience.
- Higher Variance in Results
I already mentioned that variance of losing quickly is a lot less likely. However, playing in deeper stacks also means that opponents can survive a lot longer based on bad luck. It’s very possible to see your pocket aces eventually lose to an all in from the same player just based on variance.
Since your opponents have much larger chip sizes to start with, they can hang around for longer amounts of time. This plays into the variance concept I’ve already discussed.
Should You Try Them?
I will admit after playing a few of these over the years they can be extremely fun. They usually have them set up with guaranteed tournament payouts on the higher dollar end.
For example, we will have some poker sites listed below that offer these tournaments and it’s common to see $50,000 and $100,000 plus guaranteed payouts for larger stack sizes. You can also satellite into a lot of the higher buy in entries which is something to consider.
Top 3 Monster Stack Poker Sites
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker is a highly recommended site for casual players looking for fast-paced cards. Although new on the market, it has become popular amongst players today. It has thousands of active amateur players.
They also some of the biggest online tournaments in today’s poker landscape. You can play in the monthly milly as well as lot’s of different specialty tournaments that run throughout the year. And obviously offer deep stack tournaments as well.
Ignition offers many unique qualities, but its gaming design distinguishes it the most. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- You can be sure to play as many tournaments as you want in a day
- It gives actions for 24 hours each day
- The download and installation process is fast
- The pending withdrawal period is fast
Cons
- Players can play four tables at a time
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker was launched in 2011, although the site has been operating since 1994 under different names. Since a few years ago, Bovada has provided players with awesome software.
The site aims to create a game room where less experienced players compete with experts and seasoned sharks. It is one of the best and most popular online poker sites for US players.
In traditional casinos, players are usually seated at a table with strangers. Bovada offers no screen name tables that provide a similar experience, with the thought that players need numerous hands to learn more about their opponents. It is also a safe place for crypto users. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Offers a variety of poker games and tournament formats
- Has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices
- Features a user-friendly interface and customizable table settings
- Offers a great rewards program
- Guarantees fast and reliable withdrawals
Cons
- Rewards program could be better
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline was founded in 2004. Since the launch of its poker platform, the site has grown massively and rightfully earned its title as one of the best poker sites in the market. BetOnline has a lot of amazing qualities.
Players who use the site are guaranteed an excellent user interface, mouthwatering bonuses, promotions, and fast load times. The poker site is designed to cater to players of all levels; therefore, finding players should be the least of your worries.
It is one of the sites with the largest poker community. Different types of players use the site, including casual, casual, and professional players, guaranteeing that you will always be able to get a game to play.
There are also some free-to-join tournaments with massive cash prizes. And if you are a lucky loser, you may end up claiming the bad beat jackpot, which is known to reach astronomical figures sometimes. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- The site has a huge traffic of poker players
- Cryptocurrency payment options
- Mobile friendly
- Instant play platform for mobile
Cons
- Live chat support could be better
Final Thoughts
If you’re a casual player or long-term grinder, playing monster stack poker might be worth your time. You just need to weigh the pros and cons of playing in this format. And I think I’ve laid that out nicely for you in this article.
It can be fun to play in one of these since the starting stacks are usually on the higher end of 25,000 plus chips. This gives you more time to play and not worry about the blinds knocking you out right away.
Plus, I believe there are people out there who play in these types of tournaments to relax and kick back for a few hours. It’s a lot less stressful than playing in a fast-paced cash game or something where you have to constantly be on your toes.
Just remember that if you decide to join one of these, set some time aside because they could easily run for 6–9 hours if you run deep in one of them. Whatever you decide, may the poker gods bless you with big wins and stacks of chips on top of stacks of chips!
