Joined: Mar '08
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 46 (M)
Posts: 6714
Befor the game. Make sure you have time Be sure you want to play to win, not just play. Know that it is unlikely to win, but have a great chance of cashing in.
Early stages.
Rely on card strength and position(TAG), be patient and dont try to chase the chip leader. Dont bluff Start taking notes ANd be patient again
Mid game
Play tight, dont get too involved with the panic players pushing all in, these are just the donks who managed to survive or ppl who no longer want to play. Dont be put of by big stacks but be aware of there position(and small) chances are they were just a lucky or lose player dont give them too much credit. After the the donks have had there fun open up a bit: 3 bet stael blinds If short stack, dont get blinded, find a spot to steal(pre-flop)
Late stage
Play the high cards stronger, try avoid flops If short stacked then push with nearly any 2 cards(only if the dubble wont make much of a diffrence in stack size/blinds) if you can hold out and give yourself a chance do so. If big stack or medium then try not getting involved(if you want to see a flop, dont)only play hands you will go all in with. Follow up pre flop raises with a c-bet add pressure
Joined: May '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 6197
At final table:
Play extremely aggresiv, many players tighten up, you play 2 win! So dont be scared to raise it up in a unraisen pot preflop, push/shove whenever you can.
Thanks to both. I ususally try t play as you described, taking care not only to have enough time but not to be disturbed by other situations ( wife, children quarrelling, phone rings ). I try to avoid to be involved in coin flips in mid stage ( sometimes I fold 1010, JJ, AK, AQ and AJ too )
Joined: May '09
Location: India
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 4873
I want to add just one thing ( not sure if its right one, lol) If you playing in a big tourney(particularly freerolls) and end up with a bad run of cards, chances are you will endup with a short stack on a table with big stacked donks pushing allin preflop with whatever they have. i 'll try avoiding them as (although you might have 70%- 80% chances to win against crap they go allin with) you might need to do 2-3 allins before you survive the bubble and this increases your chances to lose. for 3 such allins, chances to survive(with individual 70% preflop winning %) - 70x70x70 = 35% almost equivalent to going allin with a bad hand.
So don't be tempted by those donks for a double up, instead concentrate on playing poker
