Final Table Strategy - Needing Help

[projectaero]

Hey guys.
I play a local tournament here in australia.
My goal is to make it to the regional and state finals. I already have a chance at getting an aussie millions ticket in august.

I have played 3 games and come 1st, 4th, 3rd and ranked 8th out of 166.


This is my strategy.

Play conservative let the big stacks fire it up and eliminate each other.
Make it to the final table.

Now this is where it gets difficult.

Sure i have done well in the 3 games but i find with 9 people playing on the table and blinds going up that my downfall is not winning enough pots, i think i play 2-3 pots once on the final table and thats either with premium or all in hands.

I think alright i got Q 9 il play dont hit flop il fold but majority of the time i dont play the hand due to me thinking someone else has a K or a A or pockets.

So then i end up going all in with short stacks...


What should i do.
I need some advice.

Thanks guys.

[fender55]

A lot of the problem that you’re having isn’t necisarily coming from your play at the final table, I think a lot of it is it sounds like you’re basically trying to stay out of the way and fold your way to the final table and then gamble once you get there. I don’t like this strategy for a few reasons.

If the big stacks are battling it out I want a piece of that action if I pick up a hand. Mind you, I’m not recommending playing big pots without big hands, but it is a delicate balance that you have to try to find. Personally, I like getting involved in pots earlier on if I can keep the pot small. Then if I flop to my hand, I can try and play for a large pot post flop, this is easier said than done, but at least it gives me an opportunity to get to the final table with chips and a chance to win.

If you’re playing a tournament where the top finisher wins a seat to a big tournament, second place is just as worthless as last place. So, are you a smarter player to take a stand with a good hand and a nice pot and have your hand busted going out in 20th place, or passively folding your way to the final table, only to make it there as a short stack where you more often than not will have to push with a less than desirable hand?

If I spend the time and energy making it all the way to the final table, I really want to be in a position to win the tournament. Good luck and I hope you win that ticket for the big one.