Bubble? what's a bubble. Only kidding. I have had a difficult time with bubble until I realized something very important in tournament poker. All players that are winning in MTT's have absolutely no fear when it comes to the bubble. Bubble play can be exploitative and can be seen very easy.
Thinking of the bubble in a way like you have a cut on your leg and you are in the ocean swimming in sharks? Anxious? yeah. The problem is many players who are winning are looking for that very blood and stomp.
Now with that said, I would say that . you want to be the shark, you don't want to be the person cut on the leg. I used to be that guy with the leg cut. The problem is it took me awhile to change roles to be honest and didn't come easy.
I have figured something out though. By the time of the bubble, be aware of your opponents and how they play? To make it easy, watch the play, when do they typically open first or when the call or 3 bet. Note it. (This is where HUD is helpful). IF the opponent opens a lot in early position but they call in late position and fold to cbets a lot, this is the player that you can prey on and swirl around especially at bubble time. They will open up early position for their play and you apply pressure on them and boom, you will get chips.
Here is who to look for....
opens a lot in UTG (Under the gun)
cbets in early position and then folds on the turn
avoids playing button and cutoff (yes, there are people will avoid being the "last to act") (THIS IS not just a cut on the leg, it's a leg that just cut off and blood spewing).
With just a little attention to the table in that scenario especially in micro games will take you far into the final table. You will run across these folks at bubble time, its one or two or three of the eight other opponents.
Chow!
weee3eee