strategy

I've been attempting to weigh the options on how to play MTT tourneys. I have tried being aggressive early in the tourney to build a chip stack early. Ihave also tried being very tight and aggressive early and play a bigger variety of hands later in the tourney. so far being aggressive later in the tourney seems to work better for me. I am interested in other players opinions as to which is the better strategy and why?

I like to play aggressive early to try and double up quickly, then pull back a little. My style is aggresive anyways so this is what fits for me. Not saying ATC or anything but my range is about twice as big as normal in the first 4-5 levels. I'd rather play big stack poker than just try to grind out a medium stack for 2 hours where the blinds get to where I'm playing hands that I don't want to have to play. If I go bust there's always another one startng.

My strategy for MTT is to not play aggressive early and play suited or face cards only. Everyonce in awhile since i have a tight image on the table i will try and steal a few pots "not big ones" here and there. But after the first break i will become looser.

Ive tried 2 types of MTT stratagies:

Aggressive Early and try to double/triple up

Play only premiums 10 10 higher or suited conectors above 10

...either way, once you have 4-5K+ get on the small ball train for the mid tourney

Good Luck
Curty 3.0

I have tried playing aggressive early and late. I think playing tight early will keep you in the game longer, but will you have enough to play with the players who have a large stack?

It REALLY depends upon the table I'm sitting at.
Later stages is alot about stack size to blind ratio & how it compares to other stacks on the table
Some good books out there to get a grasp of MTT Theory (ie. Harrington On Holdem Vol.1 &2.... and then beyond Harrington >> "Winning Poker Tournaments - One Hand At A Time" << this is an excellent book.... one I'd for sure want to have studied prior to taking a shot at wsop MainEvent ( )

I think there is more than one way to play in the early stages, especially if stacks are deep and the blinds increase slowly. Basically, I'd decide which way to play based on the structure and the table conditions.

Once the blinds get high and the M's get low, you pretty much have to switch to a relentlessly aggressive strategy, that involves lots of raises in late position to take down the blinds. A more conservative approach is usually not successful, as your stack will just bleed away.