change in strategy when stakes are higher?

**Shadypac** · 03-01-2005

hey guys im new to these forums been browsin the site lately, good job on it.
Anywayz in bigger tounrnaments (lets say 100+ people) ive been placing usually in the top 15 however i notice i fall behind when the blinds get big not sure whether its that im scared to bet on hands i normally would when the blinds are smaller or im treating the betting not as i should. I notice when it comes down to higher stakes at the end or even in single table when im head to head i tend to fall behind too. I was just curious what kinds of changes in strategy some of you use when it comes down to this. Any tips would be appreciated.

**Girevik** · 03-01-2005

In a tournament with a lot of people, I think you need to continue to play strong hands, but push them hard and try and double up when you can. Online, the blinds rise so quickly that you need to take some chances to stay ahead of the game.

In a single table tournament (or the final table of a big one), you need to losen up as people drop out. At a full table, you would folds stuff like A6, where if you get down to 3 people you need to raise with it since it's likely the best hand.

**Beavis68** · 03-01-2005

You need to play position strongly, stealing pots becomes more important, especially if there are antes.

This is why I like to try to build a big stack early.

**mxp2004** · 03-01-2005

Hi Shadypac....

I started a thread on this topic a while ago just before I played in my first large tournament. I got some great advice that really paid off (I would up finishing 2d). Here's a link to the thread:

Tournament Advice

In case I haven't posted the link correctly, look for a thread started by me under the title, "Tournament Advice."

Good luck!

**the alex** · 03-01-2005

All of the books that you'll read will tell you to survive, survive, survive. Survival is still important, but positional plays, taking pots, and avoiding putting a lot of chips in the middle are necessary to finish in the spots that really pay (top 3-5). You do need to take some risks in tournies as the game has changed dramatically over the last 6-8 months. Playing top 10 hands only force you to depend on getting lucky to win money. You're better off sticking to cash games, if you can't get out of that box.

Getting out of that box is what I've been working on and over the last 4 months, I have a lot of final tables, 7 top 3's, and 1 win. I am only at a small profit though because of all of the non-cashes, bubble finishes, and mini-cashes. Read up on Daniel Negreanu's Card Player articles.

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