Adjusting for number of MTT entrants - advice please

BigBluster

I reckon I've played well over 2,000 MTTs on Sky and have won as many as anyone, particularly MTTs with less than 150 players. However, I've never won the Open (came 2nd once) or got anywhere in the Primo.

I've had a think and reckon this is because of the style of play in larger fields - everyone seems to call 4BB raises early on with any 2 suited, 8T off etc, hoping to hit it big, whereas I generally tend to avoid multiway pots. In the first quartile of these tourneys, it's almost impossible to 'pick your spot' when you get 5 callers no matter how big a raise you put in!

With 100 player tournaments you can sit back while 30 or 40 people quickly donk their chips off playing this way, but in 500 player tournaments after sitting back there are still 340 players left! So the basic way I play just isn't suited to larger fields and I need to change it.

So what's the best strategy adjustment to make:
1. Should I play them at their own game, by calling more often pre-flop with hands like K3 suited (the hand that knocked me out the Primo last night when the flush hit)?
2. Or would it be best to play more aggressively from the get-go and hope to double or triple up, then play my more controlled game?
3. Or even just wait for a premium hand and shove pre-flop - death or glory?

Thanks.

Dudeskin8

In Response to Adjusting for number of MTT entrants - advice please:

I reckon I've played well over 2,000 MTTs on Sky and have won as many as anyone, particularly MTTs with less than 150 players. However, I've never won the Open (came 2nd once) or got anywhere in the Primo. I've had a think and reckon this is because of the style of play in larger fields - everyone seems to call 4BB raises early on with any 2 suited, 8T off etc, hoping to hit it big, whereas I generally tend to avoid multiway pots. In the first quartile of these tourneys, it's almost impossible to 'pick your spot' when you get 5 callers no matter how big a raise you put in! With 100 player tournaments you can sit back while 30 or 40 people quickly donk their chips off playing this way, but in 500 player tournaments after sitting back there are still 340 players left! So the basic way I play just isn't suited to larger fields and I need to change it. So what's the best strategy adjustment to make: 1. Should I play them at their own game, by calling more often pre-flop with hands like K3 suited (the hand that knocked me out the Primo last night when the flush hit)? 2. Or would it be best to play more aggressively from the get-go and hope to double or triple up, then play my more controlled game? 3. Or even just wait for a premium hand and shove pre-flop - death or glory? Thanks.
Posted by BigBluster

You can't make a fish fold mate.

OMahonyO

I wasnt aware there would be different strategies for bigger fields, ultimately you are only playing the players at your table at that particular time.  Couldnt it just be that it is harder to win a tourney with a bigger field, because it has a bigger field if ya know what I mean.

unknown_username

I don't pay much attention to the field for a couple of hours. Contiuously monitoring your position in relation to the field isn't very productive IMO. Early chip leaders rarely go on to win or high-place. Steady progress is the way regardless of the field size. It's important not to get too out of touch with the average stack size but being the CL with a couple of hundred players still in can bring it's own pressures.

Play every mtt as a single table tournament is as good a strategy as any in a big field. Harringtons' books give a great insight into general strategy for tournaments, if you haven't read it, read it. If you have read it, read it again.

A factor of very large fields is the ability to stay focused throughout. I've dozed off in many large field mtt's and even went on to win one after sleeping for about 20 minutes. If you're getting jaded sit out a while if you can.

BlackFish3

Hi I think none of the 3 options you listed are how you should play mtts. IMO you should play very tight in first 2 levels of blinds (playing premium hands, suited connectors in limped pot in position and pairs). When the blinds hit the 3rd level onwards forget suited connectors unless you still are deep stacked and ramp up the aggression each level of blinds as they become more and more valuable. Make sure you are aggressive with good hands though and play in position by raising with any ace/pair as well as KQ, KJ... QJ KT QT are pretty useless though. The number of players shouldn't matter though as it has already been pointed out that you are playing with 5 other players at your table.

BlackFish3

Oh i also should add that dont just think raising pre flop is to win the blinds. Early on this is almost useless... you want weaker hands to call you and you want to be able to narrow down there hand range. Also quickly throw away top pair if there are made straights/flushes possible and the action gets too hot... always look to find a 'better' spot to get it all in where you have a very strong hand.

BigBluster

In Response to Re: Adjusting for number of MTT entrants - advice please:

A factor of very large fields is the ability to stay focused throughout. I've dozed off in many large field mtt's and even went on to win one after sleeping for about 20 minutes. If you're getting jaded sit out a while if you can.
Posted by elsadog

Thanks everyone for the comments. I think this is apposite as I'm really struggling with concentration and discipline nowadays. I'm getting bored with the game, surfing the internet, betting on skybet, doing anything but concentrating on the table. I'm even writing this while playing in the Open!
Maybe that's the real problem with 500 player events - the lack of concentration.

MH45706

Yeh your too busy posting sarcacting and negative posts on other topics