MTT CHIP LEADER strat?!

**Holis** · 04-05-2005

Due to the nature of my current playstyle, I would like advice on playing with the chip lead.

I find myself not pushing anyone around and slowly losing this advantage.

Should I raise with position no matter what I have ?

I see a huge flaw in my game in that I cant seem to bluff effectively.

I tend to fold decent hands if I miss the flop and pressure is applied (This applies only to MTT)

Help me obi wan!

TIA

**Beavis68** · 04-05-2005

I have only had a decent chip lead a few times.

My theory:

You have excellent tournament equity when you are the chip leader, and there is no need to waste it.

By the time you have a meaningful lead, antes should have kicked in so pots will be big.

I raise more hands, either behind limpers, or when opening, even hands like A9s.

I try to target my raises as enough to scare the short stacks out, show the other big stacks I am serious, but enough that I can dump the hand if someone with a meaningful stack comes over the top at me.

You will inevitably get put into a spot where you will have to call a short stacks all-in with a hand you which you would have mucked due to the pot odds, but you have to make the call to let people know you are serious, and you should be getting good pot odds.

**the alex** · 04-05-2005

How early are we in this MTT and about how large is this lead over #2, #3, and average stack?

**Holis** · 04-05-2005

my last example was way early, got aa on the 1st hand , then qq 2nd and tripled up.

**Beavis68** · 04-05-2005

I wouldn't change my game too much, just play with less fear.

**Marm** · 04-05-2005

A true CL is most usueful when you have 75-150bb's and the avergae stack is like 30bb's. Not like where you are describing, where the average stack may be 1000bb's at the beginning of some events. To me, people who build big stacks that quickly ealry just seem to be targets to me. Ealry CL's almost never win the events because their early success is usually luck based. That said, as you said, AA first hand does pay off frequently. ITs the ones who triple and quadruple up in like 2 rounds that are luck based.

How to play though. This stack is yours. Protect it. Dont get stupid. You need these chip slater in the event. Don't tighten up either, use these chips smartly to push others off pots, but dont make your self a target by playing every pot. Be aggresive, but be smart about it.

**the alex** · 04-06-2005

I have you.

What's the total field when you get to this point? How many people are entered in? I'm assuming that this is a freezeout, not a rebuy.

Your chips, whether you're CL, 2nd in chips, or biggest stack at the table means little. Your chips relative to the amount of chips in play is what strengthens your stack or deceives you into thinking your stack is strong or not.

**Holis** · 04-06-2005

Total field was like 25 , It was for a seat in a wsop tourney.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

**KINGJACK** · 04-06-2005

I would say you dont change anything... Even maybe tighten up a bit for a few blinds level. There is no rush considering the blids dosent hurt you at all.

Then you can start to push poeple out when you have the position...

KJ

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