Big game this weekend I need help with!

Hi All,

I need some help please!

I made the final of our regional championships which is on this Sunday 11th December. Winner gets a $10,000 buy-in to the Aussie Millions in Melbourne plus airfares, accommodation etc. All up the prize is worth about $15,000.

Format is as follows:
Game: NLHE
Entrants: 60
Starting Stack: $ 30,000
Opening blinds: $25/50
Levels Increase: Every 25 mins.
Scheduled For: 8 hours
First prize: $ 15,000
Second prize: $ 1,500
Third prize: $ 500

The 60 entrants are all other players who have won qualifiers, so a real mix of people. They range from extreme nits to extreme maniacs.
These are all players I know and who know me. My image at the table is tight aggressive with good reads.
A sample of some of the other players are:

M – Plays all draws aggressively, chases down all flushes no matter what the odds.
D – Plays any two cards. Impossible to put on a range, big bluffer, very aggressive.
B – Plays either premium starting hands or rags, depending on mood, will often play hands like 6 4o from early position.
K – Plays strictly by the maths. Starting hands are always top 25 and plays strictly to the numbers for draws etc.
J - Tight, hyper aggressive, lots of steals, almost always makes final table.

I generally make the final table ¾ times, but most often short-stacked or mid-stack range. Have never made the FT as the big stack as I tend to avoid coin flips as much as possible (maybe too much?)

Does anyone have any specific advice for this format? Any insights would be very welcome, If you want to ask more questions, please fire away and I will respond.

The plan for this week is to spend as much time on CC as I can and hopefully pick up a few tips along the ways that will help.

Really appreciate any advice/help I can get.

Thanks,

Cuttle Fish

44 views no help so far

You're playing for the win so don't be afraid to gamble early on. 4th pays the same as last! You say you make the final table 3/4 of the time, so keep doing what you're doing.

When tables are getting short handed ramp up the aggression to steal pots and build your stack. If you have a big stack on the bubble and after, look to bully the other players. Don't bully someone with crap hands if you have a fair idea they're not going to fold though.

If you're short stacked look to resteal over loose raisers. Hope this helps.

Since this is pretty much a winner takes all, you have to focus on that, if you are up against someone you feel you have an edge no need to flip, if its the other way around then the flip is good for you.

Do not arrive on final table as a shortstack. Once earlier levels are over steal everything possible and don't be afraid of getting in flips since 3rd and 2nd are nothing compared to 1st.

thanks guys.

this is my number 1 leak in tournaments, I am really bad with the stealing bit. i think thats a big part of why i get chomped by the blinds. ive read i should be looking to steal at least once per orbit in the later stages in order to stay on track but I havent got the hang of stealing.

i am looking for decent cards in late position but either dont have the nerve to shove or else dont get decent cards in late position and think i cant steal without them.

is anyone able to explain stealing in more detail?????

thanks!

ive never thought of it that way but thanks! there are beter players for me for sure, I have been avoiding coin flips no matter what but it makes sense now to take them against stronger players.

great tip!

If you're sitting to the left of 'J'.. then ship it in fairly wide when he raise/steals from LP. With your 'image' you should be able to exploit his play in a big way.

CC is amazing............ ive been searching threads for blind stealing mid-position in MTT's and there are pages and pages of wisdom going back years!

love it here.

Fully aggre, try to stell cause will be good if you can call shortstack shoves with marginal hands

As you said that you know other player styles and you read very well their play, and you are good player with good results, I think no need to change anything in Your play, probably very agressive player will bi much active on first levels so yuo keep your discipline on high level and wait chance for you. As you said you are tight, GL.

i think i'll put together a set of crib notes for the day. plan out the path and keep me on track!

dont worry about average stacks. You may fall behind but one double up is all you need most of the time.

Also you can fold 99 in 100 and you'll still get a call with your big PP.

Stay tight. Dont overplay hands. No one bluffs as much as you think. Hoope the poker gods give you the right hands in the right situations.

Will do! Will have to see if I can access CC from the blackberry and send some updates along the way...............

T minus 15 hours.................

Look to red for my comments.
I would also like to add play a nice tight aggressive game until you have a nice comfortable stack to maneuver with.

Good luck on your quest I guess in a few hours and I agree with what everyone has told you. Wow only top 3 pay and and what a difference from 3rd and 1st. YOU HAVE A STEEP ROAD TODAY, Just mention my name when you take down the aussie millions LOL but first things first DAMNIT (thats to get you fired up)

How did you do?

awe.. that's nice of you DanAbs.

New here and I must say that of the dozen or so threads I've read so far not a single one has any threadcrapping or trolling that I've seen at another popular forum. Looks like I might have found a place to set roots.

Well, guys, thanks for all your help........!

I finished 53rd of.................................53!
Heres how it went down:

NLHE Deepstack Tourney:

Starting stack: $30,000
Ave stack: $30,000 (still early)
Blinds $100/200
First prize : $12,000
Second Prize: $ 3,000
Third Prize: $500

Dealer (Hero): Has Kh 6h ($ 22,000)
SB: Posts $ 100 ($ 30,000)
BB Posts $ 200 ($ 30,000
UTG: calls for $200 ( $38,000)
Fold Fold Fold
Villain: calls for $200 ($ 30,000
Fold
Hero (on button) raises to $600
SB folds
BB Calls
UTG folds
Villain calls.

3 to the flop.

Flop 7h 8h 4s

BB checks
Villain checks
Hero raises to $800

BB folds
Villain calls.

Turn card: 9h

Villain checks
Hero raises to $ 1,200
Villain calls.

River card Jd (now 7h 8h 4s 9h Jd)

Hero bets $ 2,300

Vilain bets $ 4,600

Hero shoves all-in
Villain snap calls.

Hero shows Kh 6h 7h 8h 9h
Villain shows Ah 4h 7h 8h 9h

On a positive note, after thinking I was going to be busy for 8-hours, I got to spend 7 extra hours with the kids

CuttleFish

p.s. I am posting this on Tuesday as I spent most of Monday dragging my bottom lip around the house.

aw that was u, what a time to catch that hand, you were doomed, sorry about tournament. Next time you will win!

Ouch..sorry to hear it!

Your tournament life is worthless, try to flip as often and early as possible.

This is generally true in all MTTs but especially ones with bad structure.

maybe you will win the next one..... i was in one of pokerstars for 1million.... went out wtih aa vs j ten..... you will have that..........

what an unfortunate way to lose, dont listen to blaudib...if you make final table 3/4 of the time thats pretty amazing. Good for you
At least you didnt come in 4th lol

To win the tournament your good cards have to hold. You have to generate a lot of chips. As there is no bubble phase you can't bluff someone out f he has a hand.
Therefor I raise with good cards higher than normal.