What to do when the cards go cold

MrGoodFlop

MrGoodFlop

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Can I pls get some opinions on the best way to play when that happens.
I usually like to play very tight in mtt's because that's how I get best results.
But when the card go cold, if I don't loosen up, I end-up getting blinded-out.
On the other hand I know that if I play rags, I'll just be donating chips.

What to do to survive as long as possible to wait for things to turn-around? bluffing with a short stack is almost certainly suicide.

Thanks in advancce for any pointers.
Great info on this site!
 
titans4ever

titans4ever

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This is when the art of stealing blinds becomes a benifit. You may not accumulate chips stealing but hopefully you can steal enough to keep yourself around until you start getting hands again. Sometimes maintaining your current stack is all you can do.

I will limp in late position if I know the blinds are weak and don't raise alot. You gain fold equity because the blind are holding a random hand and they have to give you some credit since you called. An A or K comes on the flop and they both check, you now have a chance to steal. You limp and hit you can now bet and win the pot.

You can outright steal and raise with just about any two cards in late position if you know the blinds are weak.
 
Effexor

Effexor

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"Fold Equity" and "Position". These are the keys to late MTT success. If you are getting blinded out, don't let it go past the point where it would be dumb for someone to NOT call you with ATC. Start out tight, loosen up when the blinds get worth stealing. There is a big difference between playing rags and loosening up and getting more aggressive.

I tend to look at position this way: At a full table, I'm facing 8 random holdings. Now if I am on the button, and the first 6 people fold, then I'm in reality playing a 3 handed game, so the range of hands I'll raise or limp with is expanded a lot and the value of high cards and pocket pairs goes way up. KJo UTG is insta fold, but KJo in position with an unopened pot is a strong hand as you are really only up against 2 random holdings.

Same applies to fold equity. Lets say the blinds are 200/400 and you have 2200 chips left. This is "Push or Fold" territory. If there are 5 folds up to you, and you push all in with ATC, that very well might get you the blinds, which equates to 9 more hands you can see. If you have been playing tight up to this point, (and you aren't at a table of fish), you will get respect and the blinds. Even if you do get called, if you have 2 live cards and aren't up against a PP, at worst you're something like 65/35 underdog.
 
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