In a Texas Holdem tournament nobody wants to lose all of their chips right away and be the first or the second one out, so some people, especially rookie players, play tight to avoid this. This is almost never a good idea. For one thing, if everyone at the tournament table is afraid to play, you really don't have much of a game. Also, if you are the only one who is playing tight at the beginning of a Texas Holdem tournament and there are good veteran players at your table, they'll tune in to your fear right away and go in for the kill like sharks. Playing tight at the beginning does not necessarily mean playing smart.

You have to jump into the game, and you have to do it with confidence. Granted, if you really don't have anything to play there's no reason to try to bluff right away, but you do need to get into the game as soon as possible, and play like you intend to win. Playing tight has its place in Texas Holdem , there are times when it's the logical way to go but using it as a crutch at the beginning of a tournament just so you won't have to leave too early is not the way to use this strategy. The best thing to do is play both tight and loose at the beginning of the tournament, and then gauge the reactions of the other players. Remember, that's what the veteran players are doing. In order to get to know your opponents in Texas Holdem you have to challenge them, and you can't do that by playing tight every hand, especially not at the beginning of a tournament.

Learning to be bolder in Texas Holdem tournaments can take some time, but it will pay off even if you find that you’re out early in the first tournament or two. You have to get in there and play to learn how to play better.