2 Qs on MTT Strategy

[Thunder]

1) Though Chardrian recommends a loose style in the early rebuy stages, just how loose? All in pre flop with 88, AQ, AJ (push or call)?

Normally, I only push with the standard premium hands though I will play, even be aggressive, with hands I normally wouldn't - such as K10, JQ, Ax, connectors & semi connectors.

However, in an event earlier, people were getting good results pushing any suited hole cards, Ax and any pocket pair. Should I be that loose?



2) Final table strategy - do you play to win or play to move up the money? I've been at 4 final tables in the past 8 and despite chip leader, or thereabouts, I've never bettered 6th place. Last night was the worst as I was sure, looking at the stacks, I'd be guaranteed 4th at least - and triple figures ('twas just a $3 event).

I've gone out to win, sensibly, and though I've been unlucky, I wonder if sitting back and tightening up is perhaps the best way to go. Less hands mean less chance of losing. And after 3 hours play, I want to be at the sharp end of the money. I just get crippled and then finished off whilst the table short stack goes on to 3rd place and a nice reward.

Though no one has a 'right' to a certain money spot, based on chip stacks in play etc, I do believe that I have missed out on a few hundred extra dollars at least. or a thousand if I think of the 1st places I was in contention for. Eg: in my last tourney, with 7 remaining, I lost 1/2 my stack yet was still in 3rd place with twice as much as the villain in 4th. Despite this, I exited in 6th for $49 - which was a fraction of what I could have got by sitting still.

I feel I was justified in these defining hands, and can't legislate for my AJ losing to 10J, where I raised pf to 4x bb (which represented half of villain's stack) and the flop showing 5J3. However, I wonder if it would be more prudent to sit back - and climb into the good money.

[Reidak]

#1 is completely based upon your table dynamic. i dont play many rebuys so someone else can give a better answer.

#2 i can answer. If you want to brag about winning money at the end of the week, by all means play tight and move up. If you want to brag about how much you won at the end of the year, play for the win.

[chardrian]

#1 depends on your style, your table, your mood, and your bankroll. There is nothing wrong with playing the first hour tight.

#2 - you've got to play for top 3 because that's where all the money comes from. That doesn't mean you have to play every hand tho.

[Thunder]

#1 depends on your style, your table, your mood, and your bankroll. There is nothing wrong with playing the first hour tight.

Following your guide, I have loosened up and am prepared to see more flops with connectors, semi connectors, any pp, K9+ and suited cards J+ from any position. I am wary with aces as if one hits, chances are someone has a higher kicker. In addition, I am prepared to go all in if my JK hits a flop of 9K4. Is this the general method you detailed - or is too loose/restrained?

Of course, in a freezeout or SNG, I wouldn't play like this. With these hands though, I am more likely to just flat call than raise. I don't mind flopping a flush draw with Q10 UTG but I'm not gonna raise with it. Again, is limping with such hands the correct method or should I still be looking to raise and pressurise opponents even?

I ask because the other day, the table was madness but was working for a few. Not me though, lol.



I have also noticed that when I double/triple up then I will slow down as I don't want to needlessly risk the chips I've earned. With my 2xbuy of 3000, I'll happily call an all in from a similarly stacked opponent with 1010 or AJ. With 9000 and just 20 mins to the end of the rebuy, I won't be so keen to do so against a similar villain. Do you think that's sensible or too defensive?

Eg: right now, I have 10920 in chips and was dealt 77 UTG with the blinds at 30/60. I raised to 200, got one caller and then had the SB go all in for 3700 at which point I chose to fold. They battled it out and the SB saw his KA hit a straight. gernally speaking, was that good/bad play?

The very next hand, I was dealt QQ, raised to 500, got a caller, hit trips and took all his money. But even if he had gone all in pf, I would have called.

#2 - you've got to play for top 3 because that's where all the money comes from. That doesn't mean you have to play every hand tho.

So play to win, essentially - as I do in SNGs. I guess I've just been unlucky then. I mean, I know I have been unlucky but also wondered if there should be a compromise between amassing chips and letting others battle it out., hence this thread.

Eg: the critical hands I played and lost, as one of the chip leaders vs middling stacks, and despite hitting top pair, include QA vs 22, KAc vs A4d and AJ vs 10J. Even though it's very questionable why they called, given their cards, the raise and the fact they weren't in push/fold mode, I also wondered if I needed to get involved.

I like to think I play tight and aggressive and my average flop seen ratio over a tourney will be about 12 - 14%. I also feel I don't use my stack enough. Many times I fold, even on the button so I am sure I am not playing needlessly.

Having said that, with 20 mins to go to the end of the rebuy period, I have just seen my 12450 stack shrink by 1/3 to 8395 as my 2 pair A10 just lose to trip 2s. And now, with the blinds going up to 50/100 I have gone into standard SNG TAG mode - just in order to repserve what I have. Again, is that wrong? I wasn't even going to play but figured I had more than enough chips to raise 3x 60 and of course, I was more than happy to call his all in. Was this a needless play as the table leader and 5th overall or fair game?

Now with blinds at 75/150, and moved to a new table, I riased with KQ UTG but folded to an all in for 4700. Turns out I would have won 7500 with a straight. The very next hand, I called 2 all ins with AQ and took down 5500 to finish the rebuy on 13500 and in 7th place so I *think* my decision making is on the right track and only 2 costly hands of not (playing A10 OOP and not calling off 60% of my stack with KQ) . However, I may be sat on 35,000 if you can see any obvious deficiencies.

Thx in advance.

[DetroitHusling101]

So play to win, essentially - as I do in SNGs.

You should not "Play to win" In SNG's. Yes you want to get first , but you need to play for 3rd essentially since 4th pays nothing.
Sorry to forum jack.

[Thunder]

Yes, I know. It's what I meant - playing to finish ITM. And not being afraid to be put yoru stack on the line.

[jmontis]

i just can't tell someone to gamble if their ad says they have a $183 bankroll. I won't do it. If you can find <$1 rebuys, yes, be prepared to play 3-5 buyins, but no more. People get wayy out of line in rebuys and i highly doubt it's from bad beats past 5 buyins

[Sprayed]

With a $183 br, stick to cash and one table sngs. There is too much variance in rebuys and you will lose your roll fast. Also, when you play bigger fields, your variance goes up. Your need a br that can stand the variance. Normally, 100 buy-ins.

[Thunder]

The $183 BR is a task. A seperate task to the MTTS. It is a SNG task. And with a seperate BR.

It would be great if my questions could be answered though.