Shortstacks are one of the most annoying opponents poker players must face. They push with seemingly random hands, they can’t be bluffed in any pots worth bluffing at, and they constantly hit and run. Remember that the ideas presented here are just general tips, not hard and fast rules. If conditions change or you pick up a good read then be ready to modify this strategy. Here are a few tips for dealing with shortstacks at your table:

1. The first time you play against a particular shortstack, assume he is a fish until proven otherwise. This means playing tight and straight forward against them. Assume that they will call raises with any two cards and cannot be bluffed.

2. Be ready for them to raise or checkraise all in every time they hit any piece of the flop or have a draw.

3. Do not continuation bet against them as often as you would other opponents because they usually don’t fold as often as your other opponents.

4. Top pair good kicker is a good enough hand to get all-in against most shortstacks.

5. If you suspect they are on a draw, charge them the full amount and be ready to call a small all-in raise. This happens often because of the weird stack sizes.

6. When shortstacks push the action really hard on the flop, they hardly ever have more than a pair. Some will push two pair on the flop, but all too often shortstacks wait until the turn to get their strong hands all-in. So remember their tendencies to push the flop with weaker hands, and slowplay it with stronger hands

7. Be patient. They will be broken. Don’t let a shortstack frustrate you into gambling weak hands against him simply because his stack is small. That’s the whole reason he is there. Be patient, bide your time, and look for your chance to take him out.

8. If there are more than 1 or 2 shortstacks at your table, don’t even waste your time. You didn’t work hard, learn, and save just to play .01/.02 NL again.