A possible winning/break-even strategy
this is a crap shoot. There is no poker strategy being played, you either go all in or lose your chips to BBs. Does anyone else play this particular tournament? If so, have you ever won and what was your strategy to win? I find this to be pretty much a game of luck.
I do agree this particular event is quite luck based. I have played in roughly 10-20 of them and cashed in about 10 of them. I think I have final tabled 4 coming in 2nd twice and won only once.
The nature of the event dictates that you win early with the blinds increasing quickly.
I tend to play a little loose early since the blinds are low, as long as the maniacs are not shoving every hand. Their are always several who risk tourney life shoving loose, and if they bust they just re-buy.
Playing loose early in this particular event = playing any suited connectors, suited one gappers and small pocket pair - from any position.
I ONLY min-raise "Preflop" ever. Yes this might be a negative strategic play to get info on where an opponent might be, but it tends to keep the pre-flop pot smaller, so I can get out cheaply if shoved on, or fold to a flop big bet if I miss the board.
Play premiums as you would normally, 3-4x raise is fine, but if you get multiple callers you risk bust out in one hand if you are called and miss the board, and float a cbet.
Fit or fold on the flop is a pretty good strategy imo for these. Only call shoves with pocket Qs or bigger. A/K is speculative, and if more than one person is shoving/calling a pre-flop shove - a player might consider folding. I can't :frown: but you might. Folding and realizing you might have won the pot is sick, but you are still alive and can pick another spot to chip up.
Late - it's a shove-fest - as you are obviously aware - fold all except premiums and play tight situationally. It is difficult to play connectors because most play is preflop, very little post flop play. If you play connectors and can get in cheap - do it. If you miss the flop and face a cbet - it's risky to continue. But the payoff could be huge if you hit.
Position is VERY important late in these events.
Lastly - I pay very close attention to ALL the hand and take LOTS of notes. Take notes on everyone. You will be able to see;
- Who folds on the flop when they miss.
- Who checks it back when they hit top pair.
- Who shoves light.
- Who continues with draws.
- Who donk bets when they miss.
- Who donk bets when an Ace hits the flop - and they DON'T have an Ace.
- Who min-bets with 2nd-3rd pair on the flop.
- Who are calling stations with draws and baby pairs.
Watch EVERY hand play out - and collect intel. All this info is very valuable in the current and future games of this nature.
