Final Table big MTT

**Irexes** · 01-28-2005

I've made half a dozen final tables on big (500+) $30/3 MTTs.

My best is a 2nd (a long while ago), this week I've had a 5th and a 10th.

The good money (on Party) is for 1, 2 and 3rd.

The first one (5th) this week I played tight and watched others get knocked out (I lost with AJs to KJ that hit a straight).

The second (10th) I approached with a more aggressive mindset (not crazy, but prepared to venture more with less).

A factor in my approach was that in the first the big stack had half the chips in play, in the second we were all about even.

My question is, what's your approach, strategy for final tables and what factors come into play (particularly the payout structure)?

Thanks

Rex

**Irexes** · 01-28-2005

I just reread this and it looked like a bit of self-kudos. It's not, I'm happy with my play up to the final table in these things and then I kind of lose my way and either clam up or make pushes I shouldn't.

All advice appreciated.

**Cleveland OH B&M** · 01-28-2005

NJ!! Keep it up,

All Final table are diffrent, Sometimes u find a bunch of rocks, Then Steal steal steal, Fold to a reraise
Some time they r just happy to be there and get very loose, so tighten up then push hard with a hand.

So u must approce each one with a soild poker approch,

And as ev1 know SnG are GR8 pratice for Final tabe play

**Cleveland OH B&M** · 01-28-2005

o yeah, ALWAYS Play for 1st!! As u know thats were the $$ is

**Irexes** · 01-28-2005

Thanks,

I've heard the SnG comment before, and I agree it helps understand the probabilities of short-handed versus full tables.

However the nature of the betting seems to change so that getting involved in any pot results in committing a lot of chips (relative to stack) or being prepared to push.

Perhaps it's becase in a SnG the blinds relative to the stack are small at the start, whereas on a final table the blinds are represeting a significant factor to all but the largest stacks.

(Incidentally, since posting this I busted out after 40mins in a MTT so it's all moot at the moment anyway

)

**Beavis68** · 01-28-2005

I think you have to play much more aggressively in an MTT final table than in a SnG, the blinds are more significant and there are usually antes.

But I have not played enough MTT final tables to know any good tips.

**Steve Ruddock** · 01-28-2005

This really depends more on the payout for the next 1 or 2 spots up compared to your current payout if you bust.

for example $10 tourney

1st-1000
2nd-750
3rd-500
4th-250
5th-200
6th-175
7th-150

if you place 4th-7th the difference is $100, however getting to 3rd-1st is considerably more.

1st-1000
2nd-900
3rd-800
4th-700
5th-600
6th-300
7th-150

you would play this final table much differently from the first one since 7th to 6th to 5th is much more considerable

**Marm** · 01-28-2005

hmmm.... SNG's are good practice for finals.

Well, yes and no.

its the closest thing we have to a final table, but there is no pressure ealry like there is at a final. Maybe if somebody offered (please dont kill me for this idea) rebuy sng's, only for the first round of course, then you could get a better feeling of how final table play works. The equal stacks dont offer the same environment as a final. I'm not really proposing rebuy sng's, just the easiest way to get greatly varied stack sizes while maintaining a semi-full table.

BUt final table play is set up with FT bubble play, bringing a big stack to the table sure goes a long way.

**Beavis68** · 01-29-2005

There is a lot of other things to worry about at final tables, like folding equity, money to be gained by letting a short stack bust vs winnings gained by winning a pot and improving your position. The math becomes complicated.

OK everyone probably knows this already - sorry.

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