Hi Hi
I read today a player suggesting that it is best to register for a MTT late - right before late registration ends
I am puzzled and hope some experienced players can give the pros and cons of this strategy?
thanks
These variables will determine the best time to register.
1. Are you playing live or online?
If you are playing live, it is best to register after the first 30mins to an hour or so.
This is because when live players first sit down, they are not emotionally invested in the tournament and are likely to play gamble a lot.
This might cost you a lot more than it's worth. Antes are not in play, and if they are they are not really worth fighting for. Players are calling raises with any suited Broadway plus connectors and gappers (Not all). They only continue when they have 2pair+ or draws thus you are more likely to win small pots and lose bigger ones.
Playing a little later on when players are emotionally invested in the tournament, they have narrowed down their ranges to what they normally play and fixed their fold buttons thus allowing you to
bluff and apply pressure.
In online tournaments I'd recommend registering when the starting stack gives you roughly 50bb. At this stage, you have chunks but there's also huge differences in stack sizes.
The shorts are really short and the big stacks are really big.
In most cases the fish that chipped up really early start dumping around this stage. This goes for any structure in my experience.
2. Are you saying for yourself or have you sold action?
If you have sold action, let your backers know if you will be doing the points raised in 1 or register from the get go to be fair to them or at least start when the starting stack is 100bb~ if you will not be letting your backers know you start a little late.
3. Stakes. The points raised in 1 apply mostly to live mtts, and <$27 mtts on stars.
So if you're playing $27+ it's probably commendable to reg quite early and take full advantage of the big stack.
4. Is it a regular tournament or bounty? If it's a bounty tournament. Always register early take advantage of morons who chase bounties in the early stages. Of course they might hurt you or send you packing but such is life.
And no you can't use the same logic for live play Krista.
Unless your local casino allows re-entries then that's it for you. Home time. On the plus side, that lasagne you made might still be warm soooo... silver linings.
5. Depends on yourself. Do you enjoy playing the early stages or do you prefer playing when antes are worth more?
Conclusion: Unless it's a bounty or tournament with a tough field. It's always advantageous to start a little late but early enough that you still have a lot of play in your stack. It's no use starting with sub 30bb because when the levels go up. You will almost always be left with a 3bet jam stack.
I don't know about you but I don't want to register for a tournament and immediately start looking for spots to double up /3bet jam.
That's just too many unnecessary flips if you do it for most or all of your tournaments
(Unless you specialize in turbo/ hypers, in which case have at it)