Losing it in the Rut (the first shakeup)

Hey Guys,

I hope I can get a good answer to this question. Ok, I tend to play ultra tight in the beginning trying to stay clear of the nightmares of the donkey players in the first hour or so of freerolls and play premium cards or comfortable cards to avoid the shakeup and seem to inquire around the same amount of chips everytime (12-20k) on a regular basis. My question is this how can I overcome getting myself in this rut to still have enough chips to make it the final.

My opinion, your strategy is off...the so called "nightmares of donkey players" are people like myself that are using the small blind levels early on to build up stacks and take some opportunities that at higher levels you can't really afford.

Ultra tight early means you are simply preserving your initial stack while waiting for the blinds to go up.

The strategy that works pretty well for me is loose at first, tighten up past the money, and then loosen up again. When you are just getting ready to play (after the donkey players like myself are done), I have either been eliminated from the tournament or I have x3 your stack. I now tighten up and wait for you to hand over your chips as you start to loosen up a bit. Many times I know you are forced to loosen up, because the blinds are increasing and you now are forced to play hands that are less than premium against my stack.

In a freeroll i would have to agree with Dr_Dick. but if you where playing for money i would not play quite that tight for that long.