Taming the Table

[Chicago_Kid]

I've been toying with some new tactics in MTT's to improve my early/mid-tourney chip accumulation, set the pace at my table, as well as flush out big hands that might be hiding. Some of these tactics I've borrowed directly from Rippy, Rada and others, or I've just tried them out myself to expand my style. They tend to complement my normally tight game. Perhaps these are "mickey mouse" for many, but I've had big issues building stacks early and mid-way without huge hands. I wanted to get feedback from the group:

Pre-flop:
"Limpers not allowed" - Passive table after several limps, I make a 6-7x re-raise after several limpers to steal the blinds and limps. Usually not more than 3 limpers + blinds, and only if there are no proven maniacs. Usually only do this with above average, but not great hand like KT, QJ, JT, QTs, etc.
Benefit: I discourage limpers in front of me, which sets up first-in raises and steals in later rounds.

"Get back in your hole" - After a proven stealer raises 2-4x after my limp, I will push 4x his bet with hands similar to the above. I did this about 10 times in my last 6-7 tourneys and never got called. In addition, I usually ended up tilting my victim into cursing me and running himself out of the tourney (which is so fun). Granted I usually do this based on feel, early on, and only to good players--they always lay down and usually whine about my hyper-aggressive bet they just can't call. Benefit: That opponent starts to overplay hands going forward (tilt), and those to my right don't raise over me again for quite a while.

Flop
- "Come and get it" C/R - Out of position, after I check, I will answer a probe bet with a reraise of 2-3x their bet when I got a small piece of the flop. This is effective with coordinated boards, as they often put you on protecting a big hand from draws. Benefits: If they don't have a premium holding they lay down most every time. Also, if they're on trips, they most often push AI, saving me money in the long run.
- "Tricky Check" - Out of position and after a pre-flop raise, if a card like Q or J hits, and the flop misses me, I will do a longer pause, and then check. Its amazing how often this spooks weak-tight opponents into putting me on trips or some other big hand. Then whether they bet or check, I will lead out on the turn with a strong bet. Benefits: They fold 80% of the time, unless they have a monster, then they fire back hard enough to signal my retreat.

Turn:
- "Mine!" - Out of position, against aggressive opponents, I use this when I hit the flop and bet and get called. I will sometimes check the turn, and let them bet. If the bet isn't very strong, I will c/r 2-3x their bet. Benefits: They usually go running away quickly and approach me cautiously next time.

Other such tactics would be interesting to hear. Granted they are all situational, but these are starting to become part of my ensemble when the opportunity arises. However, I NEED MORE!

TY, CK

[MNMP2]

This is good. I want to try some of these.

One question for a relative newbie here:

I always find that when I want to make these types of moves, that I worry about the chips I will lose if the move doesn't end up working. Like if my opp just starts checking me down. Thats my big hang up I think to taking my game to the next level.

So how do you (I) overcome that? Is it a matter of knowing that if you keep making these moves, it will work x amount of times and pay off as a whole? Secondly, lets say you are making these moves and the opp just goes into check/call mode. Do you just check it down too, or do you make some other moves to push him off?