I, Guru, moved this here from PMs

Posts: 2913 · Posted: 14.05.2009, 05:00

Our cocakolaKid is doing us very, very proud again!

This question was in my PMs, but it definitely, along with any other strategy questions, belongs among our lessons.

Here is what the Kid asked me:

Hi Guru...

Presently, May 13th at 10pm (EST), I'm playing in a WSOP Satellite to Step 2 tournament at Pacific Poker. It's the 3rd break and I'm in 13th position with 45000 chips (1st has 63000) with 220 players remaining. I've always noticed change in game play during this stage...the big stacks come with alot of aggression...however I'm not sure if that tactic actually works as for the most part i've seen these guys from being in the top 10 to completely being knocked out. Does your game play change throughout the diffferent stages of the tournament? Also, this tournaments payout is quite different - out of 2000 players - only 2 get paid = 1st - seat to STEP2 satellite to WSOP - 2nd $17. So in this case would you also have a different stratedgy? * Please move this to an appropriate area in the forum - and I will post there from now on.

Thanks,

cocakolakid

Now, I would like for this to be a discussion question, with everyone chipping in their thoughts. We have some very advanced students who are in their 4th year with me ..... and they have opinions just as good as mine.

Kid, as a general rule - yes, strategy has to change when you get near the final table.

You really do have to become a little more aggressive or your stack will get eaten up in no time by the high blinds alone!

Where a lot of people make their mistake is that while trying to become more aggressive, they overdo it and start playing like the "maniac" discussed a couple days ago.

This is a time to keep your cool, and it is the most difficult time to keep your cool!

We have one husband and wife who are both two of my very best scholars -- and when she gets near the final table, she turns the game over to her husband ..... because she has a very difficult time knowing how aggressive to be. I am speaking of Char and dalesr and I hope they will respond here with their ideas and opinions.

I, myself, find this to be the most troubling time of a tournament, but I have an excellent scholar or two for whom it is their favorite time. One of them is Team Captain Bower, who I also hope will join the discussion.

I'm sorry I have no cut-and-dry answer for you ..... because there is none. But hopefully we can all learn more from a good discussion here.

So speak right up, my scholars!

And thanks for the question (I think LOL!), Kid.

Your Guru

Posts: 3276 · Posted: 14.05.2009, 15:01

First,congrats on getting to this point.With about 200 left I'd still be playing my normal passive/aggressive game.Position at the table determines a lot of my plays at this point.If in late position with little or no betting I'll be semi-aggressive to test the others and hopefully get rid of the players on draws.It's wrong but a fact that a lot of players won't take on the big stacks at this point.You can take advantage of this once in a while if the situation presents itself.Once in a while I'll participate in a hand I know I'm losing,with a smaller pot,just to show I'm willing to play weaker hands.This helps you when playing a strong hand.Most of the maniacs are gone by now so play smart and watch other players closely.Be aggressive with the weaker players,they're nervous at this point and will fold more easily.Identify the "trappers".Be careful when playing them.
Hope this helps you Coca.
RELAX,THINK,RELAX,THINK
Bower50

Posts: 846 · Posted: 14.05.2009, 15:47

This is probably way late, but with first being the only prize you're really after you have to play to win....if you think you have the best hand you have to be willing to be aggressive and take more chances than you normally would if there were better payouts at placing lower in the tournament. Third place gets you nothing in this case.

Posts: 387 · Posted: 14.05.2009, 16:56

Knocked out! Dealt pocket 5's - raised $12000 w/ one caller pre-flop...

[img]http://poker-crush.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=33[/img]

The way I read the play...was he called my $12000 raise..with high suited pocket cards...therefore seeing the flop I didn't fear him hitting for a pair..and so if had clubs for a draw...I wasn't going to make it cheap..here I went all-in..he called....*sick...He called with a 6-7 diamonds...hits a 7 on the turn...river was useless...I'm done.

[img]http://poker-crush.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=34[/img]

If I didn't get to the two screenshots of the hand replay..they are in my personal photo album...visit and take a look

Sorry Guru, you're gonna knock me one once read this...but it's time like this...when I wish I followed my gut feeling (Force) vs try to play by the book....previous to this hand...there were 5 hands in row...after the 1st two were dealt...and I noticed that had I played in those hands instead folded..and held steadfast (calling whatever even all-in) - I would have made them sick...and right there I felt it...just go all-in..with whatever you got cause it's gonna win...for the past 3-4 months I've stopped listening to those feelings..and played like i think one play...and so I backed down...and tell you the truth..had I listened....the next 3 hands were mine...LOL!!! I'll try to see if i can find those hands in the history to show you..but here are two i clearly remember = dealt 10-2 (i folded) - FLOP 10 - 9 - 2, turn 6, River 10. Next one...dealt 6-2 (folded) FLOP - K-10-6 River 6 Turn 8...both times player in the hand were all-in....

Posts: 240 · Posted: 14.05.2009, 20:16

. I agree with Bower on this one....especially about the trappers...I'm a bit of a trapper myself...and have been known to wipe out the odd bankroll or two!! LOL Jump

Posts: 1825 · Posted: 15.05.2009, 02:23

Well there have been many many hands I would have wiped the table with if I had held them. BUT they were NOT good hands preflop and in the long run I would lose more than I won playing them.

Remember.. basically once the hand is done... FORGET IT .. play each hand not ones previously or get in the shoulda coulda awoulda cycle... it will make you got TILT and you won't be able to think right.

It will make you start second guessing yourself and your playing will also go TILT.

Follow the Guru's plan and you will win.

Posts: 2913 · Posted: 15.05.2009, 03:54

cocakolakid wrote: › Knocked out! Dealt pocket 5's - raised $12000 w/ one caller pre-flop...

[img]http://poker-crush.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=33[/img]

The way I read the play...was he called my $12000 raise..with high suited pocket cards...therefore seeing the flop I didn't fear him hitting for a pair..and so if had clubs for a draw...I wasn't going to make it cheap..here I went all-in..he called....*sick...He called with a 6-7 diamonds...hits a 7 on the turn...river was useless...I'm done.

[img]http://poker-crush.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=34[/img]

If I didn't get to the two screenshots of the hand replay..they are in my personal photo album...visit and take a look

Sorry Guru, you're gonna knock me one once read this...but it's time like this...when I wish I followed my gut feeling (Force) vs try to play by the book....previous to this hand...there were 5 hands in row...after the 1st two were dealt...and I noticed that had I played in those hands instead folded..and held steadfast (calling whatever even all-in) - I would have made them sick...and right there I felt it...just go all-in..with whatever you got cause it's gonna win...for the past 3-4 months I've stopped listening to those feelings..and played like i think one play...and so I backed down...and tell you the truth..had I listened....the next 3 hands were mine...LOL!!! I'll try to see if i can find those hands in the history to show you..but here are two i clearly remember = dealt 10-2 (i folded) - FLOP 10 - 9 - 2, turn 6, River 10. Next one...dealt 6-2 (folded) FLOP - K-10-6 River 6 Turn 8...both times player in the hand were all-in....

Hi Kid!

Congratulations on doing as well as you did!

Don't get me wrong, Kid. I realize that there are a few people (very few) who do have exceptional psychic and ESP powers in this game. If you are one, then you should take MANY ESP tests, and if proved to be, then you have a choice of two winning ways to play, where almost all of us have only one - my way (strictly logical, analytical, and well-proved and tested with evidence laws!)

I appreciate honest posts so much, even if they TOTALLY disagree with me! It opens up a true learning experience for SOMEONE!

Members who are posting - my honor scholars - are doing an excellent job! It is excellent reading material! So far this has been a very good and most enjoyable edifying discussion! Let's keep it going!

Post some more, everyone!

Your Guru

Posts: 505 · Posted: 25.05.2009, 18:24

I have not been playing as much as I used to but when I get to a final table I tend to play a bit more aggressivley...I find that at this point everyone wants that final prize so "most" play a bit more conservative.. I have made it to the end of a few good trnys... don't know if that helps out or not but that is what I do... I am getting ready to play in a 250k stake trny now for a seat.. I will post on how I do and what I did should I get to the end Smile

Posts: 2913 · Posted: 25.05.2009, 18:33

GOOD THINKING, Beckie!!!!!!

Your Guru