Most strategy post on the net focus' on playing with a normal stack or with a short stack. But how do you play if you have a big - huge chip lead? Time and time again i've seen the big stack misplayed in small stakes turbo sngs, and i've been guilty of it also.
Some common big stack mistakes in small stakes sit n go tournaments;
Sitting out
This strategy is employed alot in the early stages of multi table turbo sngs. This is often an indication of a weak player who's afraid he/she will blow it if he continues to play. Not a very good strategy as you give up a huge tactical advantage and you learn nothing in the process. You don't lose what you don't put in, but still you should at least practice self discipline by seeing you're cards and folding. It also shortens the table and will give the aggressive player an advantage.
Raising alot/every Hand
The maniac strategy. These players have often lucked into a big stack and now their natural tendencies are taking over. They raise and refuse to back down without regards to position stack sizes or odds at all. These players can be difficult to play against, but generally i see them as a good double opportunity.
Limping/Calling too much
Like the maniac these players have probably lucked into a big stack, but of the two strategies i'd prefer the maniac's style because he's at least applying pressure. these guys fail to take advantage of the big stack and allow players in the blinds and other players to see flops cheaply. Becareful trying to make a move, because these guys will call
These mistakes essentially negates the advantage of having the chip lead. Some pro players are known to take slightly -EV gambles early in tournaments so that they can obtain a large stack. This is because having the large stack allows you to create alot of +ev situations, especially on the bubble and late in tournaments when the tables are short handed.
In Micro Stakes Sngs I don't think its necessary to gamble early to obtain a big stack but if you do get one you can also create these +ev spots.
So what is the correct strategy? how should the big stack be played?....
pt. II
Showing posts with label grinder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grinder. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Small Stakes Grinder: Weekend Update
Firstly congrats to all NY Giants fans. I'm a Dolphin fan and i was cheering for the Giants all the way. '72 Dolphins remains only perfect team ever! sweet!
On Saturday i played 6 $4 180 sngs busting around 40th in 5 and making the final table once, finishing 9th. I also played 2 mtts; a $3 MTT and a $8 MTT. I busted the $3 tournament in the 2nd hr but made it deep in the $8 finishing 83/1876 for around $28.00. I really have to make a post with some hands and analysis this week. I will win one of these eventually... hopefully it will all come together in the 100K :)
The Superbowl was yesterday so i didnt get to play any mtts, but i was able to play several $3 45 turbo sit n go's before I headed by a co-worker to watch the game. I finished with 3 1st and a 3rd out of about 13 tournies for a 369% ROI.
LINK EXCHANGE....
If you're viewing this blog and have one of you're own, I'm willing to exchange links, just leave me a comment.
On Saturday i played 6 $4 180 sngs busting around 40th in 5 and making the final table once, finishing 9th. I also played 2 mtts; a $3 MTT and a $8 MTT. I busted the $3 tournament in the 2nd hr but made it deep in the $8 finishing 83/1876 for around $28.00. I really have to make a post with some hands and analysis this week. I will win one of these eventually... hopefully it will all come together in the 100K :)
The Superbowl was yesterday so i didnt get to play any mtts, but i was able to play several $3 45 turbo sit n go's before I headed by a co-worker to watch the game. I finished with 3 1st and a 3rd out of about 13 tournies for a 369% ROI.
LINK EXCHANGE....
If you're viewing this blog and have one of you're own, I'm willing to exchange links, just leave me a comment.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Life:Poker Balance & Complacency
Recently I've been having some problems balancing my life and poker properly. I have a full time 40hr per week job, I'm a partner in a startup company with a friend and i play poker. In the month of February I think i made more at poker than at my regular full time job. This was obviously a really good month and i don't expect to duplicate it monthly. However i consider myself to have 3 jobs and I have to work on balancing them properly.
We're getting ready to fully launch the company and i expect that my poker time will decrease somewhat. I would still like to get in at least 15k hands per month though. Therefore i have to schedule my poker time wisely (study & play) and get the most out of every session. I have to start using my time more efficiently from now on... no more procrastination!
Complacency
There was a point in Feb. where i was totally focused when i played... I was reading opponents to the point of sometimes predicting their next play. I was aware of my image and using that knowledge. I have lost that focus. I tilted today at 50nl for the first time this year.
I have become complacent; by the end of Feb. I was not reviewing sessions, I was not checking my biggest losing or winning hands for poor play. I was not reading any poker literature beside a post or two on 2p2 or watching any vids from CR that i pay a monthly fee for. My opponents were so bad that i was lulled into complacency. This was a lack of discipline and character on my part.
I will re-focus in March and continue to work on and improve my game. This means regular review sessions, regular study and analysis. I will also attempt to learn PLO as a diversion so that i can stay fresh. Its only when i become bogged down in nl that i start to play by formula instead of actually thinking. PLO and the occassional sng should keep me fresh.
I was suppose to perform a review this weekend of my attempt at 100nl that did not get done. So no more poker until i do that and a general review of overall results for February. My next post will include stats, hands and analysis from that review.
We're getting ready to fully launch the company and i expect that my poker time will decrease somewhat. I would still like to get in at least 15k hands per month though. Therefore i have to schedule my poker time wisely (study & play) and get the most out of every session. I have to start using my time more efficiently from now on... no more procrastination!
Complacency
There was a point in Feb. where i was totally focused when i played... I was reading opponents to the point of sometimes predicting their next play. I was aware of my image and using that knowledge. I have lost that focus. I tilted today at 50nl for the first time this year.
I have become complacent; by the end of Feb. I was not reviewing sessions, I was not checking my biggest losing or winning hands for poor play. I was not reading any poker literature beside a post or two on 2p2 or watching any vids from CR that i pay a monthly fee for. My opponents were so bad that i was lulled into complacency. This was a lack of discipline and character on my part.
I will re-focus in March and continue to work on and improve my game. This means regular review sessions, regular study and analysis. I will also attempt to learn PLO as a diversion so that i can stay fresh. Its only when i become bogged down in nl that i start to play by formula instead of actually thinking. PLO and the occassional sng should keep me fresh.
I was suppose to perform a review this weekend of my attempt at 100nl that did not get done. So no more poker until i do that and a general review of overall results for February. My next post will include stats, hands and analysis from that review.
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