Early tactics for 5 table SnG

[Krotalus]

I am starting to think that "tight is right" might not be the best way to start out in the larger SnGs. I find myself folding a lot of marginal hands while guys are raking pots from with the same type of hand from the morons playing poor hands.

I am talking about lower pocket pairs, low suited connectors, low off suit connectors and Ax and Kx(say 7and up).

As we get into the mid-later levels I am finding myself shortstacked and fighting for my life. I end up getting lucky and doubling up and heading into the money or busting out in the 11-18th place range.

When starting with 45 people is it better to loosen up a tad in the first level or two?

[vqc]

how would you play a MTT?

[Krotalus]

never played more than a 5 table tourney so i cant really answer that.

Based on the level of competition in these $1 tourneys i think i might be missing a good opportunity to gain some extra chips early on.

I guess there is no better way to find out than to give it a shot though huh?

[Jeebus Kliest]

Viable advice for higher stake tourneys will probably not apply very well to a $1 buyin. Don't play stupid poker...but don't expect your opponents to play very well for the first few levels either. I would stick to playing tight in the beginning and going from there like normal...watching a maniac triple up in the first few hands may look appealing but I assure you it is very likely he will be leaking chips the rest of the tourney to the better players later on.

Money is money..but hey..if $1 is worth it to you to try it out then why not...

[SnoT_III]

The reason I believe tight is right early on is because you have no reads on any of the players. So if you play a 10J suited and hit the 10 as top pair, and then get re-raised when you bet on the flop, you don't know what you should do. However, after a few orbits, the decision because much easier.

The other reason tight is right, is because the blinds aren't even worth fighting for early on. I'd rather sit back and wait for a premium hand, raise enough so that the pot is worthwhile, and start building my chips slowly.

[Muxy]

Well i will pimp any low pocket pair from any position and time.

Set it or forget it.

Just play good poker, if you find playing loose aggresive is your style go for it. I find the tight is right, when i mean tight im only playing any pocket pair, and any AX, higher than ten, the same goes with kingsa, and high suited connectors if the position is there.

Position > Whole Cards.

[Robert Tiltin']

I've been doing pretty OK in these 5 tablers. A key strategy of mine is to go loose for a short time at the beginning, when flops are cheap to see. Often you'll be able to rope someone in for a bigger pot with a suited connector / set hand. If I don't find one, I'll go for tighter play.

The overall strategy I have is to not be "desperate". I do not want to get into a position where I'm hoping, like if the blinds are eating me away. I'd much rather risk it up front when I have more fold equity and the chance of doubling / tripling a significant amount, rather than doubling a stack of 500 chips. I may risk a little more a bit earlier, but for me it's about heading in the right direction.

But - the 45 seaters @ PS are TURBO and that changes a lot. A lead in the middle of a turbo is nothing. The lead changes hand so much that you aren't guarenteed anything by amassing a chip lead, but it certainly pads your risk tolerance by allowing you to make moves without fear of going totally out.

In summary: I do uber loose super early (10/20 up to 25/50 blinds) and then hunker down a bit. If I get no results from hunkering down, then it's back loosey goosey but with vigor and full steam aggression with a hand or a GOOD CHANCE of improving to a good hand.

[loanhorse]

Early on- Benefit from the umbrella effect, by limping in with low pocket pairs (1-8). Hit something good and try to extract as many chips as possible, to give yourself an early lead.