Advice for playing the 100K

Advice for playing the 100K?

I won a ticket to Bovadas weekly 100K. This is HUGE for me! I've never played a tourny with a buy in bigger then 20$. I typically play 10$ tournaments. I made about 4 final tables in my life, one of which had about a thousand players in it and I came in 3rd winning 1100$. I feel like that win was mostly luck, in fact, I know it was luck because I drew out on the river with several major hands that I would have lost otherwise.

Anyway, I imagine there are going to be much stronger players then I am use to. The idiots who throw their stacks away will likely be nonexistent, and my only chance at getting deep into the tournament is real solid play. Thus, I'm planning to hold onto the ticket for a while until I feel confident enough to step up and take the shot. I'm really excited about this but do not want to go in unprepared.

So, what should I do in preparation?

So far my plan is to Finish reading Dan Harrington's "Harrington on Hold em". I already finished volume one and already feel like I have learned a lot! Then I'm going to play a tournament at my local Casino. I figure that is the cheapest way to get into a tourney where I will see the kind of players I'll be seeing at the 100K (I understand live players tend to be tighter then online). I'm not too worried about winning when I play that one, its buy in is much higher then I'm use to but my main focus is to learn.

Any other suggestions on books I should read, or things I can do to get ready? Also what kinds of difference in play can I expect from the 10$ tournies I'm use to?

Thanks!

You could check out some mtt tournaments on youtube with hand analysis. There's a few pros on there with free info. Go to "vodsinfo Pearljammer Sunday Million" I think he finished 3rd or something and reviews his hands and thought process throughout the entire tournament.

SicKBeATz said:

You could check out some mtt tournaments on youtube with hand analysis. There's a few pros on there with free info. Go to "vodsinfo Pearljammer Sunday Million" I think he finished 3rd or something and reviews his hands and thought process throughout the entire tournament.

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Woh! Didn't think something like this would be out there. Thanks for the heads up!

Honestly, I dont think you should play too solid or too loose. Just stick to your game and see what happens. All the preparation is good but when it comes to actually playing, you have to figure out your opponents and play accordingly. Play tighter in the early levels and then loosen up and build your stack. You can't win a tournament early but you can definitely lose one.

IMO play exactly the game that helped you win entry to this tourney...one mistake I made in my first tourney that was way over my normal level was to play way to tight...gl hope you do well...

I'm not the suggesting what books you should read. All just say this, try to get in some earlier games, the day you might be playing on Bovada. See if your catching cards that day. If you're not, don't play, if you are, give it a shot.

Your going to see the same exact play you would normally see at some of the lower level MTT's (10$ + buy ins). Plenty of donkeys in the beginning. Just like any MTT the deeper you go the better the players will get. Try to think of it like any other tournament you would normally play.

I suggest reading super system by doyle brunson and yes try to double up early on donkeys when u have big hands just push all in earlier u usually will get callers .

Play aggressive and try to build a big stack. Play to win, not to cash.

You are wrong about one thing. There will be plenty of idiots that will throw their chips away. If you're in the tournament I'm thinking of, a lot of guys get into it by winning a ticket in a new-player freeroll.

Here's hoping they throw their chips your way

first hour play solid, first hour tends to have the players that want to get a big stack or bust, and knowing you may be at the table with the same players study your players and how they play...which players call down, which players raise on buttons, which players are tight you can play against and tend to bluff them when you can and such so. if you can get through the first hour you tend to see play slow down and if you can a good stack you can play your game!

I'm glad I made this thread, I'm starting to feel a lot more confident. I assumed only players who really know what they were doing would risk a 165$ buy in, good to know I wont be the only amateur there. Also after watching pearljammer's video commenting on his tourny I saw first hand how average the play is.

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys. I'm almost done reading Harrington on holdem, after that I'll read super system and play a few more of my 10$ tournies for practice and then I should be ready to take the plunge.

OniGamer said:

Also after watching pearljammer's video commenting on his tourny I saw first hand how average the play is.

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I hope that video brings you some run good like it did me. I finished 1st in a 50$ donkament (freeroll) right after I watched it and I won the same tournament about 2weeks later
GL GL GL

Keep calm and play smart with, don't be affraid.

i had won a 100k freeroll ticket to lock played so tight i had never been in a tourny like that was scared i guess but now i know if you play like that never a win win

Congrats! Bovada 100K is my dream and I have never played in it yet...

Did you win it in the new comers' freeroll?

The bodog $100k has to be the weakest play for a larger online buyin MTT.
Seriously, you'll be shocked. My guess is > it attracts ALOT of weekend fish who don't normally play very much online.
I'd say a $10 mtt on Stars has better play than the Bodog $100k.

Poker Orifice said:

The Bodog $100k has to be the weakest play for a larger online buyin MTT.
Seriously, you'll be shocked. My guess is > it attracts ALOT of weekend fish who don't normally play very much online.
I'd say a $10 mtt on Stars has better play than the Bodog $100k.

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Bodog and Bovada are the same thing rite?

So, the only good idea is play the same style as you win on the final table. you are definite a winning player then why change?

but there do something I would consider when play in high buyins. you know, first the player from higher level will be more aggressive than lower level.

so if I were you , i will try to prepare to dealing with their potential aggression.

best luck! LOL

JUDGE1018 said:

I suggest reading super system by doyle brunson and yes try to double up early on donkeys when u have big hands just push all in earlier u usually will get callers .

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Don't set this man up, there's nothing in this book that relates to tournament play or online play for that matter.

Join a training site and watch some videos online. Don't go the poor's man route. Play your game and don't be scurred. Keep in mind that you will have to adjust as the levels progress. Just stay ahead of the structure and you'll do fine. Oh, and some run good always helps.

JUDGE1018 said:

I suggest reading super system by doyle brunson and yes try to double up early on donkeys when u have big hands just push all in earlier u usually will get callers .

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LuckyBundy13 said:

Don't set this man up, there's nothing in this book that relates to tournament play or online play for that matter.

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this ^
Don't bother reading Doyle's book. (huge waste of time)

& yes, Bodog & Bovada are the same (as far as the players & tables you see on the screen goes)

Alright, taking the shot tomorrow. Wish me luck.

OniGamer said:

Alright, taking the shot tomorrow. Wish me luck.

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Best of Luck!

I'm dead, been card dead pretty much all game then tossed it on bullshit...
God damn I'm pissed at myself.

First couple orbits were good, hit some nice hands, and then nothing!

one spot I had was when 44 hit a set while I was in big blind. I didn't get much action, might have over bet.
caught 44 again in 5th pos but didn't play because 2 raisers in head, it hit a set and would have paid me if I actually was in the hand!

With blinds creeping up I decided to try some maniac move with KQ...
I mean, I haven't played a hand in like an hour I and I get called down with a pair of sixes. BAH! I'm dumb, oh well maybe there will be other chances.
Just cant beleive he called with that...

Oh well, anyone got advice for when that happens in the future? Being card dead...