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XCloud · Three of a Kind Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 78

Ah, man. I was about to post a topic about this very same situation. Thanks for the advice, guys.

Last 4 or 5 tournies, I've found myself short-stacked just before the bubble, or about 1 or 2 positions away from the final table, only to have my big stack become crippled out from antes and blinds.

The problem I'm having is that I start to play really tight just before the bubble, or before the next level up in the awards schedule. I'll play out decent to great hands, when I catch them once in a blue moon, only to get out-drawn or hit absolutely nothing. Because of the fact that blinds are so high, it's really easy for me to go from 30x bb to about 20x or 15x from a loss in one hand. (i.e. K pair with A kicker losing to trips, for example) Pretty soon after that, I'm finding myself in short stack position time after time.

Should I play tight later on? Or is aggressive while you're ahead a better strategy?

bbgold · High Card Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 8 Location: AZ

I don't believe in the 10X big blind theory

Many tournaments I have gone down to being blinded in if I have not been catching cards, and survived. True it is Best to have some blinds but if you are not catching playable cards Why risk it? The best I have done so far is moving from 150th place to 15th place just playing the blinds. Last tourney I went from 15th to 2nd just playing the blinds or Good hands. So to me you Need to have a playable hand or rely on your reads of the other player or just Wait for the blinds to act.

Good Luck and Good Games!

live4freerolls · Banned Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 2588 Location: Grindin

feihua · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject:

kinkydude · High Card Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 20

I think you're attributing too much credit to your cards.

It's not what you have until the showdown. Until you turn your cards over, it's what your opponent THINKS you have that counts. If you can convince him you've got the best hand, he'll lay down his second best hand. The trick is to set yourself up so that it looks like you've got more than you do. It's easier said than done, I know, but trying that is better than getting blinded out.

What really impresses me is someone who can get through to the final table without showing a hand. Now THAT's playing!

sig1561 · Straight Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 116

I'm not sure what kind of strategic answer you're looking for being card dead and all...

I suggest not looking tilted that the card gods hate you. As long as you keep from looking pissed, peeps may just think you're very tight. Therefore, pick a spot, like a Harrington squeeze play or something with your crap cards. There's nothing you can do with crap cards except represent non-crapiness in them.

Such a profound answer.

ARGLE1 · High Card Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

card deadness isnt really as important as texas seems to think at the sort of 20 BB point. I guess that you could work out your action by answering a series of questions before you even look at your cards.

1. Do I have enough chips to make a move other than all in/fold?
If you do you should probably consider wheter its a good play and what state it would leave your stack in and how it would affect your likely situation in the tourament. Generally if you feel you can then ignore the next questions and play proper poker.

2. If i do shove how likely is it that everyone will fold?
3. How likely is it that I will be called?
4. How many players are likely to call?
Base this on chip stacks, posistion, reads on players, who the raiser (if any) is and how all possible outcomes would affect you in the tourament.
Would losing if called bubble you in the tourament when one or more players have less chips etc

5. How good a hand would i need to all in?
try to consider all of the possiblities and potential outcomes and how likely they are and how well your hand would need to hold up to them and other such

6. Is my hand that good?
If it is, shove, if its not fold. If you anticipate everyone to fold don't suddenly look down at aces and decide your going to play more trickily or chicken out if you have 3 high. If you have the chips to play real poker then you should have worked this out in 1.

just my 2 cents

Kam1972 · Pair Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Posts: 48

feihua · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

philip297619 · High Card Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

you suck! ill find you and kick your *** in this game kidding

jjpregler · Forum Pro Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 1449

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