Where is your comfort level in a tourny?

Ever since I started read about poker(about 2 years ago) I have adopted Phil Gordons strategy of 30 big bets as a minimum point to play comfortable during a tourny. At 30 big bets I can raise and maybe reraise without having to push the rest of the stack in. I can also make steals and let go of hands to survive. I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were about what number of big bets makes them comfortable and maybe what number makes you feel the next move is all in?

Never really thought about it...but I would say 30BB is about right. Here are some thoughts of mine.

Less than 4 BBs: I am pushing allin with any hand that I would normally play from late position, basically any two face cards, any ace and any pair.

4-10BBs: I am looking for a premium hand to push allin (AA-JJ, AK, AQ). I will also go allin with any pair from late position if there has not been a raise ahead of me.

10-19BBs: I have a little room to play, but I play very solid and try to only bluff if I am 80% sure I will take down the pot. But I have to admit that the c-bet has hurt me a few times with a stack this size. Very aggressive with good hands and no tricky plays. Will push allin if I feel I need to protect my hand against a calling station or concerned about a tricky player.

20-29 BBs: About the same as 10-19BBs, but willing to take a few more risks. Less likely to push allin.

30BBs or more: About the stack I need to feel comfortable with playing any aspect of my game.

Of course, these are all generalizations and probably a little more of how I THINK I should play then what I actually do in all situations. I still tend to be too aggressive without a great hand when short stacked.

Good topic.

I would pretty much agree with you coryan. I was going to go into depth about the lower amount of big bets, but was lazy and didnt. Your view on the rest is about right.

Lately, overall, I have been very comfprtable playing in MTTs. My skills have improved a lot, and I have a lot more confidence than i previously did. I used to play scared all the time, but no more. Yesterday I made 3 final tables in 4 pvt freerolls. That was probably the best day I had. The only time I get a little unconfortable is when we are getting down to the last 2 or 3 tables. Then I try to focus, but I get a little nervous.

Well thats hard for me to say since i'm almost never the chip leader in a
MTT.But overall for me 40-50BB is about right.