Optimal approach for donkaments?

[AFchung]

What's the best approach for the small buyin MTTs with a massive field of weak players? (and yes i've read the entire MTT tactics digest)

I've tried a standard TAGG game, but often have found that a 4x preflop raise and a continuation bet gets called a lot. After forfeitting the hand I often find myself missing a bunch of chips compared to the initial 1500. When I actually make a hand and cbet they just fold and I win a really small pot. Many people tell me to just play really tight in the beginning, but most of my tournaments start and end with me folding lots of hands, picking up AK missing and cbetting, and then having to start shoving when the blinds go up and i'm still wavering around 1200 chips.

I've also tried small ball. Raising 2.5-3.5x in position with a wide range. However this always seems to get more than 1 caller, and they love to see the turn and river with pretty much anything.

All this is assuming I get a below average run of cards. When the cards are coming nicely and I accumulate a big stack for mid tournament, I usually make a really deep run.

[sinister1]

Two words....Value Town

Playing these small buy-in donkaments is all about getting max value on your winners. I think in Soupie's mtt article in the digest it says something about "have some guts with the nuts" and this is especially true for microstakes. You will be amazed what ppl call you down with.

You might also want to try decreasing your c-bet percentage since you seem to be getting called pretty light. If you miss with AK do not cbet into more than 1 opp. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, GL.

[drmcboy]

the problem with your posts is it seems to assume you can beat a massive field of bad players without a run of cards. You can't win any big tournament without a run of cards. You are probably underestimating how lucky you get when you big hands hold up.

Any approach can succeed if you play it well, it depends, etc.

If your biggest problem is getting bets called what do you think your adjustment should be?