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Talking Poker: Hand-for-Hand

Welcome back to the Talking Poker series in which we highlight a particular poker term, giving you a clear, to-the-point definition and an example of the strategic concept to which it refers. Today we discuss what it means both technically and strategically when a tournament goes “hand-for-hand.”

Definition

“Hand-for-hand” play is instituted in multi-table tournaments, often just before the money bubble bursts and payouts begin, or after the tournament is in the money and just before another pay jump occurs. Hand-for-hand play means each remaining table much complete a single hand before the next one is dealt, thereby ensuring all tables play the same number of hands before the next elimination occurs.