Just got in on this perhaps.

Key things.

Get your mind focused on playing poker.
Don't get hung up about rebuys.

Tourney play.

With 200, and 20 tables in play you have no need to rush into action. The maniacs will do that for you. The first 20 minutes or so could be frantic or it could be quiet depending on your table.

If it's frantic - then be prepared to going all-in pre-flop with several others. You need luck. A lot of players try and build chip piles early and take risks. If they succeed then they sit back until the freeze-out.

If it's quiet - you need patience, but loosen up your hand requirements considerably. Take a chance at the low blind levels and try and see flops with just about anything that could be a winning hand if it fills e.g. top straight or flush. Kx suited is a favourite of mine - you're hoping for a flop including the A of your suit.

Aim to get to plus 4,000 minimum at the break (this will fluctuate according to the blind increases) - at 50-100 before the break this is good enough. You won't be anywhere near the lead, but it is a workable pile. However, don't get too hung up about it or you will lose focus.

2nd stage. Almost always the hardest. Be patient. Guys with short piles will 'gamble' them. Try not to get too involved for the next 30 mins or so, just keep ticking over unless you can take one of these guys out.

Then you have to 'play' with blinds increasing - so your hand requirements come down a notch. You must take more chances - but try and do it on your terms and resist gambling. Whatever edge you got, use it. This will either set you up or have you go out - there are no alternatives - sometimes it's your day and sometimes it isn't. Be prepared to be in one or two 50-50 situations with all of your chip pile at risk.

3rd stage. Play sensibly. You're getting closer to the pay-out spots - but whatever you do - do NOT force the game (with a reasonably working chip pile). Let the opportunity come to you - it will. Be aggressive with premium hands. If you have a hand bet it.

4th stage. You have hit the pay-outs maybe at 20th spot. Now you can loosen up a little. It become more physcological now with slow playing, check raising and bluffing coming up. Unless you're getting premium hands you have to duck and dive a bit. Just don't do anything stupid that will risk your entire chip pile.

Final stage. Hopefully you're at the last table. Now it's fun and the guys are all happy. Expect to see the lowest chip piles eliminated and down to around 7 when there could be an offer to split the prize money anywhichway - so that everyone left walks away with a piece of cake. This split could be the lot or part. Now everyone is in demob mode and at the end of 5 hours quite tired and drained. I have found that the ones with most energy left (with similar chip piles) most likely end up winning - so it is essential at ALL stages of the tourney not to use up too much adrenilin. Drink plenty of tea or coffee AND water. Get up often, walk around a bit, freshen up your hands and face in the john, stretch and relax between hands.

Hope that helps
Steve