running deep and keeping a chip lead

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thefwa

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So yesterday I ran super deep in carbons 40 k gtd. There were around 5k entrants. And I had been first for a solid 2 Hours. (From when there was around 600 left to when there was around 90 left). After that I just could not get a hand to save my life. I mean I probably could have opened a wider range. so then my stack got pretty average. My shoving range in lp is pretty wide, and I was only at 12-14bb so I went for it with 98s and got called by new chip lead with AQo in the sb and lost. I placed 25th of ~5k
The shove was totally out of mesh range but it was the best hand I had seen in around 30 mins.

I can never manage to keep a solid lead when it reaches final 2-3 tables. But can do so prior When given the opportunity. How can you keep a chip lead for that area of the tournament?
 
ZekeRam

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In my experience, depending on the size of the tournament, 6-4 tables left is the optimal time to start creating your foundation for the late stages and FT of the tournament. Whether you're sitting on 20-30 bigs or sitting cheap lead, it's grind time from that point to either secure the lead, or get ahead of the pack. It's usually around bubble time at that point where you can start picking on shorter stacks, and it's also a time where blinds aren't too overwhelming.


The one thing to keep in mind at this stage of the tournament is first place. As long as you're keeping your eye on the prize, taking risks is perfectly rational. You'll find that more players are trying to move up the pay ladder and playing more of a tight game. Obviously, each table will be different but in general, it's best to open your range extremely wide late position. Be the aggressor and take chances. Steal pots and make moves, what you're aiming for is a top 5 stack when there's 3 tables left and you're in prime position to tighten up to make the final.
 
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wowasenotrusov

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just need to steal the blinds more often in favorable situations and then stay afloat.
 
naruto_miu

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just need to steal the blinds more often in favorable situations and then stay afloat.

+1 Stealing the blinds helps keep you at a safe pace vs the blinds and antes, even If you don't get hands, that doesn't mean that you need to tighten up your range so much so that your folding everything, just steal alot more wider in L.P from shorter stacks/average stacks (when you have the C.L)
 
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thefwa

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In my experience, depending on the size of the tournament, 6-4 tables left is the optimal time to start creating your foundation for the late stages and FT of the tournament. Whether you're sitting on 20-30 bigs or sitting cheap lead, it's grind time from that point to either secure the lead, or get ahead of the pack. It's usually around bubble time at that point where you can start picking on shorter stacks, and it's also a time where blinds aren't too overwhelming.


The one thing to keep in mind at this stage of the tournament is first place. As long as you're keeping your eye on the prize, taking risks is perfectly rational. You'll find that more players are trying to move up the pay ladder and playing more of a tight game. Obviously, each table will be different but in general, it's best to open your range extremely wide late position. Be the aggressor and take chances. Steal pots and make moves, what you're aiming for is a top 5 stack when there's 3 tables left and you're in prime position to tighten up to make the final.


The bubble ended when there was around 1k players left, since it was a big tournament, bubble play went away long before that. Now that I think about it, I really didnt play aggro enough because I was starting to get anxious about making the FT, and possibly ~$2-8k for 5th through 1st. I didnt like my play when there was around 60 players left to the end. I tried to get fancy in one spot (3 bet a LAG monkey in position with A5, and got called, he checks, bet flop, he shoves, im down 12 of my ~40 BB) and then had to put my tail in between my legs after the fact and played solid straight forward poker, but wasn't getting enough good spots. I'll note it for future play though.
 
ZekeRam

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The bubble ended when there was around 1k players left, since it was a big tournament, bubble play went away long before that. Now that I think about it, I really didnt play aggro enough because I was starting to get anxious about making the FT, and possibly ~$2-8k for 5th through 1st. I didnt like my play when there was around 60 players left to the end. I tried to get fancy in one spot (3 bet a LAG monkey in position with A5, and got called, he checks, bet flop, he shoves, im down 12 of my ~40 BB) and then had to put my tail in between my legs after the fact and played solid straight forward poker, but wasn't getting enough good spots. I'll note it for future play though.

Ouch, I tend to avoid 3-betting with Ax, even in position, unless it's a premium. It's a really tough hand to play unless the board really dries out. You can't do much against a 4-bet and you're really hoping for showdown value if you pair up, giving villain a chance to draw out if you hit bottom pair.

As others have stated, stealing blinds is nearly crucial at this stage. Having a read on your 3 left players is almost necessary. It helps you identify who you can steal blinds from or even outplay post flop. Having a compulsive defender isn't necessarily a bad thing if he constantly gives up on a c-bet.
 
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titomurcia1214

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Taking advantage in chips to keep the best is to steal those boats in dry board putting all the weight of your chips to the short stack, but do not pay allin with cards like 98s, 109s, etc. The important thing is to keep and add tabs
 
Mordecoke

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HI. What's your username on Carbon? I advise playing position more often and the small blind more aggresively if you are card dead.

Although in this situation you were short stack. So in my opinion you shouldn't be shoving a hand like 98s. Instead try shoving anything k9+

Goodluck:)

So yesterday I ran super deep in carbons 40 k gtd. There were around 5k entrants. And I had been first for a solid 2 Hours. (From when there was around 600 left to when there was around 90 left). After that I just could not get a hand to save my life. I mean I probably could have opened a wider range. so then my stack got pretty average. My shoving range in lp is pretty wide, and I was only at 12-14bb so I went for it with 98s and got called by new chip lead with AQo in the sb and lost. I placed 25th of ~5k
The shove was totally out of mesh range but it was the best hand I had seen in around 30 mins.

I can never manage to keep a solid lead when it reaches final 2-3 tables. But can do so prior When given the opportunity. How can you keep a chip lead for that area of the tournament?
 
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thefwa

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HI. What's your username on Carbon? I advise playing position more often and the small blind more aggresively if you are card dead.

Although in this situation you were short stack. So in my opinion you shouldn't be shoving a hand like 98s. Instead try shoving anything k9+

Goodluck:)



My username is maythefoldbewithyou

Also, I ended up placing second in a 1k gtd tonight, by changing my strategy when I was big stack. I realized my biggest mistake when being big stack was not being uber aggressive. It cost me a FT and possibly a huge cash.

So in this 1k gtd tournament upon getting chip lead, I didn't let it go. I raised nearly every pot to put pressure on the medium/short stacks, and would rarely get played back against. I wouldnt commit too many chips if I knew I was in a really bad spot though.

I realize that keeping a tight image has no merit when you have the chip lead.

While I didn't win the big $$ in the 40k gtd, I think the lesson I learned may eventually win me more money in the long run, if I am able to practice it the right way.
The anxiety of losing my chip lead eventually lost me my chip lead. There were plenty of spots where I could have stolen the blinds or made plays, but I was too nitty with a chip lead.

Overall it was a great learning experience though, I must say.
 
DonSifu

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i see lots of 'get aggressive' suggestions when you're the chip leader, but i think this can cause you to lose that chip lead, as other players will adjust to your new found aggression.
Of course aggression is key, but in my experience, you need to actually tighten up a bit; don't raise just because you can. Think about who you're raising; are you prepared to call a shove with your range? Is a three bet really advantageous in this spot?
I think to keep a chip lead you do have to maintain a certain amount of aggression, but it needs to be coupled with a tight, disciplined approach. Otherwise you'll find yourself falling short of your goals.
 
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i've done both the tight and short maneuvers as a deep stack. As with everything it depends on table dynamics, but most of the time I find it is good to steal fairly aggressively until the table sees what you are doing. pick on those middle-short guys who are waiting for a solid hand to double up from (and fold if you identify them and they play back at you.) stay away from the uber short guys who will get good pot odds to shove lighter unless you have something decent.

After they see it (and in my case I get called a donk by the other players. It's wonderful when they tell you when they notice), tighten and pray you get a hand soon as everyone will think you are stealing with crap and call/shove you light. catch a couple then open up some more and steal.

Going back and forth will keep people from easily being able to tell your steals from your solid holdings.

And if you get completely card dead which happens a lot to me, be patient and wait against the people you think will call and still try and steal some from those you think might fold. don't be too aggressive; you're not trying to chip up but rather maintain your stack or slow the bleeding until the cards like you again. Also doing so somewhat sparingly means people paying attention will give you credit for having better cards than you do (for instance, if I notice somebody who hasn't played a hand for 3+ orbits suddenly bets, I'm folding all but premiums unless they have gotten very short).
 
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