need help with tourney stratergy

Hi all

I was wondering, all MTT advise says first 1-2 hours play tight tight tight. Thats all well and good but how do you play when the first hour all you see is rags (k2, Q4 ,93) etc. How do you play in the start when this happens? all advise is appreicated. Many thanks

well, when you are card-dead, there isn't much you can do. i wonder if you would feel better playing those rags and leaving the tournament early? probably not. of course, there comes a time when you cannot do anything but push all in with your remaining chips.

good luck in the next one!

This is where mult-tabling comes in handy. During the first hour or so, I try to play a low limit cash game at the same time to help pass the time.

It depends on how your table is playing. If they are very tight and passive you can possibly limp into a few hands with K9 or whatever and hope to catch a flop. This obviously doesn't work when the table is playing very aggressive and raising a lot. Also if you have been very quiet and your table seems reasonably skilled you could try a bluff to steal some blinds. A lot of what you can do depends on the table. I have been at tables where middle pair is usually good becuase people won't lay down their cards, and I have played where nothing short of trips will win a hand.

custo80 said:

Hi all

I was wondering, all MTT advise says first 1-2 hours play tight tight tight. Thats all well and good but how do you play when the first hour all you see is rags (k2, Q4 ,93) etc. How do you play in the start when this happens? all advise is appreicated. Many thanks

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Watch these 2 play in mtts on stars and learn from it.
"Herschelw""Northerngent"

I disagree this advise,this may help you cash alright but if you want to go for the big $ you need get ahead fast.
While the blinds are low loose/aggressive,take advantage of some good flops and try get a decent stack FAST!
Obv still fold that crap nothing you can do about it.

Card dead? Consider it a message from the Poker Gods and fold.

There seems to be 2 prevailing methodologies in current MTT play;

1- Don't waste my time! These players are aggressive and playing junk in hopes of catching and building a big stack early.

2- Don't waste your time! These players are not liking their cards well enough to be calling so the attitude becomes don't waste your time betting big because I'll be folding till I get something worth playing.

If you are not the aggro player, then don't worry about it. Fold the junk, have faith that a rush of decent cards will come, TAKE NOTES on the rest of the table, and pay attention to positional plays, and opportunities.

if your card dead, fold fold fold and try to resist playing j,9 suited or a,5 which look tempting after being card dead.

i play according to the table, i dont play just tight or loose, ill do opposite of the table. Sometimes i wont even be aggressive, ill play like a rock

I understand the dilemma here.I play real tight in the beginning and if you do get lucky and get a hand or 2 it won't be enough to carry you deep in the tourney! I barely cash when I do and rarely get to the final table in big mtt tourneys.Is there a way to play tight and still go far?If so please advise!

Yes, I think it is important to play loose when the blinds are low and hope to flop up, it gus hansens strategy anyway. However how do I cash on a regular basis, or even get deep. The times I cash I barely get anything, and I am yet to make a final table. I am always kidding myself that I will get that final table breakthrough and earn some decent cash, but it hasn't happened to date, I was wondering if I could get some advice on some members who have made 1 or 2 final tables online.

Try posting some hand historys there are some really good players here (not me) that will be able to spot holes in your game that may not be obvious to you. If you are shy about posting your own read other peoples histories that have already been posted. There are often multiple correct ways of playing hands and you should be able to find some ways that fit into you style.