Blow, folds to any big re-raise after his pre-flop medium sized bet? What if you end up one on one at the final table, with Joe Blow and he makes a medium sized bet, and you are next to act, and you have Aj off suit? If you had made notes you would know that if you throw a big raise at him, there is a good chance he will fold, and you would have won the blinds and his chips that he bet.
If you hadn’t made the note, you wouldn’t have known and you might have folded, giving him your blind.
Another reason for making notes, is that you may end up playing the same people in another MTT or some other game. You cannot think that you will be able to remember what everyone does in any given situation. Thats why you make notes. In online poker, the software you use to play will have a facility for you to keep your notes on other players built into it. Use it!
Phases of the game…
A lot of people like to split their MTT strategy into three separate phases. Personally, I like the idea of a four phase split.
In my opinion the Four phases are:
Phase 1 – All play up to the first break. This phase is where you are allowed to rebuy if rebuys are allowed.
Phase 2 – All play from the end of the first break to the final table.
Phase 3 – All play on the final 2 tables until there are only 4 to 6 players left.
Phase 4 – All play from 4 or 5 players until you are either out of chips, or win the MTT.
Phase 1: – Mostly Tight/Passive Play
Play just to stay in the game. Only play the very strong pocket cards unless you are in the Big Blind and are not raised. The blinds are way too low in this stage, usually ranging from 10/20 to 40/80, in the first hour. These blinds are not going to make a big impact when you manage to steal them because you are not likely to steal them in the first place. In this phase, because rebuys are usually available, most people don’t mind throwing large percentages of their stack into the pot, in the off chance of doubling or trippling up on their chips. Making a big bluff – raise in the first phase is stupid, because the percentages of someone calling or raising you are that much higher. DO NOT bluff in the hopes of stealing blinds in the first phase!!! Not unless you want to spend a fortune on rebuys.
You may lose part or most of your stack in the first phase, but by playing only the very strong starting pocket cards, you may find that you actually are staying up with the average stack, or doing even better.
I have played tournaments where I had less than my starting ships up to the last 10 minutes of the rebuy period, and ended up chip leader going into the break, just by playing the best starting cards.
With around 10 minutes of play left, before the first break, you will find that some players will start to go a little crazy.
They will begin to play almost any pocket cards.
What to do:
If you…
…have fewer than your starting chips, and you haven’t used any rebuys up to now.
I suggest you make a big effort to win some chips. A lot of people at this point will be trying to double up so they can go into the break with a bigger stack. Loosen up a little yourself and play aggressivly if you hit a top pair, or better. If you win, you will be happy. If you loose your entire stack. Make a rebuy to get back into things and then make another rebuy to double up if you can, then tighten right up and only play the great pocket cards up to the break.
When the break comes you may be offered an addon. Take it if it is offered. This should add nearly the same amount of chips to your stack that you got in your rebuys.
…have a medium sized stack going into the break. By that I mean more or less the same as the average stack size.
You are doing pretty well. Just keep to your current tight game plan. Only play the best of the best pockets, and if you hit a monster hand on the flop get very aggressive and win as much as you can. Remember, people are going a little crazy trying to double up, so take advantage and add to your stack. Take the addon if it is offered at the break.
…have a huge stack at least 50% bigger than the average. Depending on the number of players, you should be in the top 20 at least. Sit back and wait for the break. That is unless you hit a monster hand on the flop. Never miss an opportunity to add to your stack. Never take risks in this situation. NEVER! You are in the top 20, you don’t need to risk losing a
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