CARD DEAD

your hangin in there, the field in getting smaller, but you just aren't catchin anything, and the table has been somewhat aggressive preflop, what's a good strategy for staying afloat with every one else? do you just loosen up a little, or are you forced to start playing weaker hands out of position? later in a tournament alot of people are raising with junk, what kinda hands are good for making these types of inflection plays? Thanks !

You need to loosen up a bit (and I mean a bit - not wako) in the later phase of the tourney and steal some blinds in position.

There are great strategy articles in the strategy section that will give you further advice.-->poker strategies

As a rule of thumb when you are card dead I'd suggest:

patience>>steals in position>> loosen up

As for the hands you should be playing look here:--> starting hands.

Why are you asking about playing weaker hands out of position, before mentioning weaker hands in position? Go ahead and steal with 37 from the CO...sometimes that's the right play. Don't just sit around praying for a good hand.

I agree with the above comments, but something else important to think about is who you can 3bet shove. Because you did say that your table was being aggressive so I mean while shoving 37 from the CO is sometimes a good idea if you're table has been active and you have a raise in front of you it makes it really hard to do something like that.

I would try and take notice of any people that are being extremely active and possibly raise/folding a lot or attempting to limp in a bit and see if you can't 3bet shove them with some decent hands like suited connectors or small pairs, it's better than shoving a little A. Be aware of your stack also, you can't expect much fold equity on a 3bet shove with 9-10BBs but if you're working with something closer to 18+ then you have a much better chance of getting a fold out of someone.

And position, position, position. So important, try to narrow the people that act behind you anytime you are going to try a steal.

gl I hope that was helpful

Thanks bob, but what is fold equity? I don't quite understand it, i understand equity when all in, and I have pokerstove, but what exactly does this mean at the table? Thanks!

I agree with the above statements! When in position go ahead and steal. Don't just play junk because all your getting is junk though. You need to make it believable that you are getting good hands sometimes. Also if your card dead and you steal 1 or 2 times in a row be cautious because chances are the 3 steal will be called!

Honest Answer:
It may be to Late.
You can try to loosen up and steal a few blinds in position.
But you may appear weak and you will most likely be called.

The real decision is made in the plays prior to becoming Card dead and trying to hold on.
That's where you need to loosen up a bit.
Never let yourself get small or medium low stacked.
Play more aggressive before that situation occurs.
Try to play the situation not just the cards.
Never appear weak.
Have no Fear.



Good Luck

On an active table 3-beting behind them is a great play as you have position if they flat. Most of the time they fold, but remember a loose player can be dealt Aces, and that's how they make their money.

I just put into practice, min-raise, 3-bet, fold. Easy

In the middle stages you need to soosen up. If you've given the image of a warning sign then you'll get no action unless you get rebalanced to another table. You need to play more and raise more. Most of the players tighten up around the bubble trying to make it. That's when you need to raise,reraise, and push when you've found the weaker players. Plenty of posts on CC-do a search and soak it all in.

Well in late stages of a tourney I will try to loosen up a bit.
Pick my spots to move,by then I usually have a pretty good read on players at my table so just pick the spots.
Try to be as patient as possible.
Dont just start playing random weaker hands just to see a flop.
Just pick your spots at the table and take advantage of them.
Getting anxious in late stages of a tourney usually only winds up causing grief.
Just be patient and the cards will come.