Wow, can't believe it

[Strung]

You guys may or may-not consider this high stakes but I just fought my way through the party mini-steps to win a seat in the mini-step 5 tourney ($400+30) buy-in. I won step 1, step 2, 2nd in step 3 and 4.

I'm pretty pumped about possibly turning my $6 buy-in into $2000. I just came for some friendly advice and some pointers to deal with my first big money situation. Ranks 1-5 get paid out, 6-10 just drop out. Help me out guys!

[elipsesjeff]

{Moved from High Stakes Limit Hold'em}

[lowBoy]

First, I'd figure out what you want to do here: make the money, or win the whole thing. What's your bankroll? Would a 5th place finish make a big impact on it?

I'd say go for an ITM place if it means at least 50% of your bankroll. Anyone who bought directly in is probably going to be able to work you (assumption based on the $6 you invested), and the other people are going to be somewhat competent. This way, it might not be the most profitable in the long term of playing these tournies, but it would mean that you can move up in stakes.

As for strategy - if you're going for ITM then play really tight, get good reads on people, but don't be afraid to bet strong into pots when you're a favourite. At this level, I'm not sure if it's possible to fold your way ITM... I'd use sparing aggression with reads and position, to take blinds and help yourself get paid off when you do have a hand.

If you're going for first, be aggressive, go for that early double up from the donkiest person on the table, and then start using that stack to push the more timid people around. Just as I said you might want to think about going for ITM, other 4-step winners are probably thinking the same thing. Make sure you identify these people and steal their blinds/limps.

[MAX]

If getting ITM will significantly increase your bank roll (like double it)and allow you to make more money by moving up in stakes, you may consider selling your entry to someone for a small discount. I have seen people do this but couldn't tell you the process. Not saying to do this, just pointing out that it is an option.

[Rondavu]

I got there myself once. Ended up finishing 4th for like $400 or something. I forget what the payout is. Got all in with 99 vs the A4 offsuit of an aggressive douche trying to bully the table. He spiked an ace on the river.

My advice to you is to use the Bubble against the table. Raise a lot when like 6-7 people are left if you have enough chips.

[Strung]

My bankroll is ~$7000, so a first or second would be a nice boost. I've usually play limit but I've started on the NL road about a month ago. Just been playing party $25NL games to get myself wrapped around the game (went from $200 to $700) and been playing these step tournies on the side every so often.

The thing I notice about these tournies is that after a certain point (step 1 or 5) they all degenerate into the same all-in fests. I honestly don't see how the play is different between the step levels. Only difference being that people are more willing to go all-in earlier in the early steps. Given you only get 800 chips in the early ones though I can see why.

[MAX]

Obviously you have no need for my earlier post so I thought I might try to contribute something useful. I would reccomend playing a couple handfuls of SnGs as practice and posting any hands that you have questions about or think could be played diff. Of course the competition will be greater at a step 5, but I think this would still be useful. Also, read over the guides stickied up top, if you pick up 1 thing it could make a difference. Good luck.

[kingnat]

I have a slightly different suggestion...

As mentioned above, these top levels are pretty tough because sharks get a shot at some nice payouts, with an inordinate amount of weak competition compared to standard games with a similar buy-in. So it's possible that this top level will play differently then the intermediate steps.

If I were about to play this final step, I would take plenty of time to get a feel for this top most level, by just observing several of them. Maybe practice taking manuel notes on a few of them, just to tune yourself into looking for specific things.. like what players do from ____ position, with _____ aggression, and ____ stack size, with ____ cards. Or somethign of that kind. I have watched a few out of curiosity and they do get pretty push/fold happy but I also didn't see lots of loose calls (not indicative all of games of course), so its imperative that you pay ridiculous detail to who is doing what, when, why, and with what...


..... I also suggest getting pocket Aces, 3 out of the first 10 hands.

GL!

[lowBoy]

My advice to you is to use the Bubble against the table. Raise a lot when like 6-7 people are left if you have enough chips.

You can pick up a lot of chips on the bubble, just watch that you don't push the bigger stacks or looser/savvy players around too much - the stack size is a little less important than the player type. Pick out those people who seem like they're easing their way ITM and hammer them.

The number one thing I had to do is shed my fear of the bubble and become a aggressive chip vaccuum - it's going to be harder in this case, as the stakes are higher and you can't (well, won't) just buy into another tournie.