The Gap Concept is a key ideal in tournament poker. Basically it states, beware of easily dominated hands. So lets make an example or two:

1 You have King-Queen Suited with 25 BB's in the middle stage of a tournament.

This hand looks Very Promising, but the Gap Concept will help us in understanding how to deal with it.

Early Position (1st-3rd to act )- FOLD THIS HAND! Just because it is suited and double faced is not a promise of anything! Rarely will you flop a flush, turn a flush, or river a flush. You have up to 7 people to act behind you, and the odds of someone having the following hands-- A-K. A-Q, K-K, Q-Q or a 50-50 hand like 10-10 is greatly increased when you have 7 people to act behind you.

Middle Position:--- It depends on you as a playing style and the table. A passive table, Go ahead and make a 2.5x-3.5x raise. But do not go further if shoved on, or flat called and a missed flop. You are out of position to 2-3 other players. Aggressive Table- FOLD! Again if a Queen comes on the flop? We all know how many people over-value A-Q, and you have enough of a stack to spare.

Late Position-- Here's where the fun is, The gap concept now works in your favor, the odds of someone having a dominating hand is much smaller, up to 3 people to act behind you, with open antes and blinds for the taking. Make a 3x - 3.5x raise. Remember however, this doesn't mean someone can't wake up with A-A in the BB. It just states this is less likely to occur.


Post Article Note: In my Opinion, the gap concept can a help a lot in determining appropriate play with easily dominated hands, J-K, J-Q, K-Q, Small pair up to 7's, Even A-Q a lot of the time. Position is key, and so is reading your table. I hope this helps, and anyone feel free to add their opinion of the concept when replying.



Thanks for Reading,



DerGottImHimmel ( The God in The Heavens )