Online Poker Forum - Another tournament question

GoodDerf · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:49 pm Post subject: Another tournament question

I was wondering how many hands on average do you play at the beginning of a tournament? I have read everywhere to play more loose than ring games at the beginning, but I feel I am going way overboard. In general ring games I would say I play about 10-20% of hands depending and do pretty well there. But with tournaments I have found that if I play like that I am likely to get so far behind in chips that I am forced to call less than optimal hands. Any thoughts would be appreciated as long as they are well mannered.

Strasse · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

I play about 26% of hands in ring games. In tournaments, I actually try to play more tight, but I rarely play tournaments as well.

GoodDerf · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 12:35 am Post subject:

Well that is probably my problem right there. I don't know if I am overstepping here, I am sorry if I am, but what starting hands do you play in ring games? Also how many of those would you say you fold by 5th or 6th street?

hghlndr6 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 2867

In the early stages of a tournament, when the blinds are low relative to stacks, you can play more speculative hands ... low pps, connectors, etc. without serious damage to your stack if it doesn't work out. That's not to say you should play loose, unless that's your natural style and you're good at post-flop play.

As blinds increase, though, you want to tighten up some (unless you've built your stack commensurately) ... abandon the really speculative plays and pay close attention to position. By then, you may have also developed some reads on players if your table has been intact for a while, enabling you to deviate from one style to another when warranted.

I am generally tight. Sometimes, I'll see less than 10% flops. But other times it may be as high as 20 - 22%. It's always situational.

GoodDerf · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:07 am Post subject:

Thanks

. I understand you see depends on what is happening around you. I just threw numbers out to get a feel for if I was ridiculously one way or the other.

hghlndr6 · Message Board Junkie Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 2867

You're welcome. But, I didn't notice that you posted this in the 7-stud section. I do play 7-stud but I play more NLHE than anything else. Thus, my response was more geared to that.

Strasse is the 7-stud man. I gotta defer to him.

Strasse · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

GoodDerf · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:37 am Post subject:

Thank you strasse, I am still learning how to read people and I am very weak right now past 4th so I am trying to learn the basics by numbers first so I at least get a feel of whats right. Just for future reference most likely Hold'em references will not make sense to me. That is and always has been the absolute worst game for me and I really don't even get the strategy. I like stud because I understand the basic strategy and I can see progress as I learn more.

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