Building Through MTTs

Gothams Son

Gothams Son

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I know a lot of people on here say do not play MTTs if you are trying to build a bankroll from $0 because of variance. But I believe I do a lot better in tourneys and I go on tilt too much after losing at the smaller tables. Losing tourneys for some reason doesn't set off my tilt like table games do. So I know its not suggested but what would be a decent starting bankroll to use BRM if I were to play mostly MTTs. Hopefully someone has an idea below 50 bucks.
 
veltins

veltins

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if you playing mtt only and your br is 50 bucks then better Play 50cents mtts if u playing in pokerstars..
 
TheKAAHK

TheKAAHK

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Standard BRM rules aside (ex: 100 bi's for level), It's not always bad to start with a low amount. $50 can be a good start. Remember that you are going to have some horrendous downswings in mttt, but if you are a competent player the lower levels (.27c, .55c, even up to 2.50) can be profitable if you choose your game wisely.

First off, turbo, or hypers are pretty much a no-no. They're a crapshoot at the lowest levels. Lots of flipping in multiway pots. Sure, these games usually have great guarantees and huge fields, but if you're grinding up your 'roll, they are a killer. Too much variance.

Cap and non-guarantee regular speed (10 min levels) are a better bet. Smaller fields (which also means less players paid, but generally easier to attain due to less flipping due to deeper stacks) and a slower pace of play means more time to learn player habits and exploit any edge you may have, or at the very least wait for a good spot to have a go instead of getting blinded out and desperate. The downside is that since these games have no guarantee, the payout per spot tends to be slightly lower. Some small Cap tourneys on PokerStars for instance actually pay out less than your initial buy-in for a min-cash. But we're not going for mincash, now are we? ;). They also take longer to fill on some cardrooms, and if they are running at the same time as a GTD game, they will usually (but not always) have more regs playing.

TL;dr:

1) Avoid turbo or hypers like the plague
2) GTD tourneys are great, provided they are played at peak traffic times and are not T or HT
3) Cap and deepstack games that are not running against large GTD games are juicy, but check the pay structure. Less mines to step on, but lower payouts for the effort.

Also, even if one is using good brm and playing well, don't be discouraged if you go broke in mtt. It happens to the best of us. They can be a great br boost if you score deep, but for every deep run, expect hundreds of busts and mincashes.
 
Gothams Son

Gothams Son

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What are you talking about when you say cap games? I understand everything else. I figure I also need to avoid rebuy and add-ons, is that true or is there some upside there?
 
TheKAAHK

TheKAAHK

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What are you talking about when you say cap games? I understand everything else. I figure I also need to avoid rebuy and add-ons, is that true or is there some upside there?

Cap games are tourneys that have a limit on the number of entries. I don't know how prevalent they are on the smaller rooms, but they run regularly on PS. They usually limit to 250-500 or 1000 players.

And yeah, I forgot to mention about rebuy games. I'd also tend to avoid these games for the most part, especially at the lowest limits because they are just a flip fest for the first hour or so. While there are viable strategies to these games, I am not personally well versed in them. Keep in mind that rebuy games can eat up many bi's in one shot. The upside is the prize pools grow fast.

I've built 'rolls from small ($20-$50) deposits before so it can be done. I've played anywhere from 1% to 10% of my bankroll per game depending on mood, fatigue, time allotted and how juicy I deem the structure/payout. Recently, I lost a bunch playing up to 20-50% of my roll and with some staking so I had to re-deposit $40. With some good playing and a few fortunate stakes I'm sitting well over $100 to play with and more for stakes. It just takes a tonne of patience.
 
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