Joined: Jan '12
Location: Portugal
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 114
Hey MOB POSTERS!!
I created this new thread to read your tactics when your somewhere really near the prize-pool of a tourney.
I'm gonna share some of my examples but I'm hoping to learn more from you guys than you probably will with me.
So here goes: (* I'm imagining a tourney with no data on opponents, and a couple of super tight players and some regular aggressive one's spotted in previous hands)
10 seats for the BUBBLE:
LOW STACK - SHOVING TIME: In the UTG I fold hands like AQ off and pocket's under 8. All the others I raise or even shove if I have AK, QQ, KK, or AA. On cutoff, I try to avoid limping players unless I have suited AQ, AK or pockets over 8. If no one limps or raises before me and I have less than 10 BB I will definitely shove hands like A10off, A8s, QJs, KQs, KJs on the cutoff. From the BUTTON to the BB and as desperation needs action I will shove hands like K10off, A2s, A7off... if really desperate like less than 7BB I will definitely shove k4 and similars
Of course every situation is different... these are not standard rules... I will try some double-ups to grant myself a seat on the FT. If my stack is way too short, I go for ITM trying step by step get a higher prize once already inside the BUBBLE.
Will appreciate your comments and suggestions on this one...
Joined: Jan '12
Location: Portugal
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 114
Posted by waoz: Pushing all your chips is the most recommended, you eliminate the good players who limp and grab the desperate players to fold and enter the prize.
I definitely agree with you. Limp = shows weakness on the hand, raise may cause someone to push putting yourself in a hard choice. By shoving you have fold action. And I don't mind shoving pocket's against bigger one's 'cause it's always a coin flip. This is a game of luck and sometime's this is a crucial factor to take you to a final table.
Maths is important, knowing ur opponent as well but without that tinny bit of luck you can be shoving KK, get an A7 call and that A coming on the river
Of course, slow down the game and expect to lose when other players are one of the tactics .... but if you go one of the first and a lot of chips, that is the meaning of intimidating players with big stakes ... in general, in different tournaments and different positions, my tactics change
Joined: Jan '17
Location: Lithuania
Age: 66 (M)
Posts: 1756
I know this is not what I should be doing but i mostly just easte time as long as i can use all timebank and wait for other players to lose and be eliminated, open other tables and shout for other players supporting them when small stacks call or go allin
Joined: Jan '12
Location: Portugal
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 114
Posted by Gerimantas: I know this is not what I should be doing but i mostly just easte time as long as i can use all timebank and wait for other players to lose and be eliminated, open other tables and shout for other players supporting them when small stacks call or go allin
If i am near the bubble i mostly base my decision on my stack size, if i have tourney average or more, i tent to keep it safe and don't put my tourney at an unnecessary risk, i play a hand here and there, but don't go after the all-ins or put massive pressure on mid stacks.
Joined: Dec '12
Location: New Zealand
Age: 33 (M)
Posts: 504
Posted by waoz: Pushing all your chips is the most recommended, you eliminate the good players who limp and grab the desperate players to fold and enter the prize.
this is definitely a good tactic if you have the balls. as I usually fold fold fold at this time of the tournament. but you will occasionally get someone who calls so you have to be prepared for it - otherwise its a fantastic time to steal large blinds
To me I find most important is what is the buying of the tournament, what bankroll do I have and what is the prize pool. If I have low roll, I tend to keep it safe, if big money is possible, then I might turn on aggression a bit. So no one real answer, depends on situation
All depends on the Dynamics of your table if it's tight table then it's a good time to steal some blinds of course it's also depending on your stack size in relation to your opponents if you're sitting at a table full of maniacs then you should tighten up your game like i sayed allways depends on the situation
Joined: Mar '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 7371
I have always played these hands very cautiously whenever i am anywhere near the bubble. I have folded Aces and Kings before and just prefer to wait. You have probably played for a few hours when the bubble approaches and it seems folly to play for so long and not get anything
Posted by doubletop777: I have always played these hands very cautiously whenever i am anywhere near the bubble. I have folded Aces and Kings before and just prefer to wait. You have probably played for a few hours when the bubble approaches and it seems folly to play for so long and not get anything
Of course it's very insulting to fly out of the tournament just before the start of the prize payments ... and it is possible even with the best card ... especially if there is a demon with a big stack sitting at the table and painlessly makes any bets ... even the most insane
If you are low or medium in terms of stack then I would recommend to play only premium hands like AA, KK or QQ. You should fold AK for example if you are early in position but of course it depends on what tournament you're playing as you will not play same in bubble time in a tournament of $200 buy in compared to a $2 buy in one...
Joined: Jan '17
Location: Lithuania
Age: 66 (M)
Posts: 1756
I like to play hands near the bubble because I had a good tournament because I am so deep in the tournament it is bubble time. So anyway you play the hands I think ma in goal is to stay in the tournament and win some money, no one strategy here.
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
i understand that this is a poker strategy thread and i am supposed to put in my input to help out other duded and dudettes who are reading this thread and all of it's comments very thoroughly, but i cannot remember the last time i was actually anywhere near the bubble... usually i'm out in first few hands, so i guess the first thing is to create a thread on how to get to the bubble...
Joined: Jan '12
Location: Portugal
Age: 41 (M)
Posts: 114
Posted by pochui: i understand that this is a poker strategy thread and i am supposed to put in my input to help out other duded and dudettes who are reading this thread and all of it's comments very thoroughly, but i cannot remember the last time i was actually anywhere near the bubble... usually i'm out in first few hands, so i guess the first thing is to create a thread on how to get to the bubble...
tx for reply, and well thinking... I will post my Tourney Strategy soon
Joined: Jan '17
Location: Lithuania
Age: 66 (M)
Posts: 1756
Yes like pochui u too very often cannot get to the bubble, sometimes i go out un 1st few hands, sometimes after some playing but still early in the tournament, I think i reach the bubble in more than 100 player tournaments maybe in only 5 to 10 times.
Posted by Calmplay: If you are low or medium in terms of stack then I would recommend to play only premium hands like AA, KK or QQ. You should fold AK for example if you are early in position but of course it depends on what tournament you're playing as you will not play same in bubble time in a tournament of $200 buy in compared to a $2 buy in one...
AK cards are difficult to fold ... it's one of the best hands in poker and this card does not come very often ..... of course the probability of losing is also big, especially when the short stack, but ..... it's still so difficult ..... it's still so difficult..... it's still so difficult
Joined: Feb '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 59 (M)
Posts: 5712
There are different ways to play upon approaching the bubble and that generally depends on the format of the tournament in which you are involved. If the majority of the prize on offer goes t the winner and then the final table, then you should generally be aggressive approaching the bubble, especially of players with similar stacks, if you busto, then that is your attempt at winning! but if the tournament rewards everyone equally up to the bubble for example qualifier tickets, then play guardedly to protect your tournament life but don't get blinded away!
