The average stack size is an extremely important statistic to know when playing poker, especially in a tournament environment such as the World Poker Tour, or WPT. Everyone knows that poker is a game of information and knowledge and the average stack size is a very important piece of information to have at your disposal. Unfortunately, most players do not utilize this information to their advantage and lose the opportunity to put themselves in a better position. There are a number of different ways in which knowing the average stack size can help you and things that you can do with that knowledge.

You should always do what you can to be above the average stack size on PokerStars and remain there. If you happen to be below the average stack size then you are behind the curve and you need to catch up. In this scenario you need to start making moves and trying to catch up. While you are below the average chip stack, you are in danger of being pushed out by other players. This also gives you an idea of where the middle ground is currently located in terms of chips.

If you are above the average chip stack on www.PokerStars.net, it is important that you stay that way. Knowing where you stand when compared to the rest of the tournament field will also put the size of your chip stack into perspective. Is your stack five, six or ten times larger than the average stack? You can probably do some serious damage if it is. Are you just barely above the average stack size? If so, then you need to be wary of falling below the average.

Because you know the average stack size you know the people who are below the average stack size are playing catch up. Players who are below the average need to catch up, which means they are going to most likely play more aggressively to try to get back into the game. You can use this to your advantage and use the size of your stack to push them around. The players below the average are probably going to open up the range of hands that they will play and make some plays at pots that they would not normally make. Recognizing these opportunities and taking advantage of them is something that will help you to grow your stack even further.

Having the knowledge of the average stack, especially in tournament play, will go a long way to improving how you play with other players at the poker table. It allows you to know where you stand in relation to the rest of the tournament field and this perspective should certainly have an effect on how you play the game. Whether you are ahead of the average or behind it, your playing style will be completely different depending on which side of the average you are located.