Attack!

  It is often said that to be successful in a poker tounament one should be cautious and rely on others' mistakes - as opposed to aggressive playing. However, the trick to getting to the end of a tournament is to attack. You should be constantly putting your opponents on their guard. Playing a defensive game will see you losing your chips in a slow, sure trickle, and you'll never make it to the end.  Aggressive play doesn't mean silly play. If you make raises holding 3-7 off suit - and do so often - soon you'll find yourself on the losing end of a poker tournament. However, if your hole cards are great - or just good - it will make sense to be really aggressive. Bluffing from time to time can also help your game. Aggression will insure a continual inflow of chips into your pile. Depending on the tournament's structure, this will either give you a greater pile when moving into the final tables, or place you at a better table.  Of course, there's a possibility of a bad beat, and other players can catch you bluffing - but you should always keep your temper in check. Remember that going on tilt can ruin your game.  So, there's no room to play defensively at the beginning of a tournament. Reactive playing is weak. Proactive playing is the key to success at the early stages.