bobbysands90

How do you approach the early stages?

Generally, I am a bit looser at the start of tournies. I will play lots of hands hoping to catch on the flop.

I suppose it depends on the players I am up against but If I can view the flop for the price of the blinds, I will take it every time. If not, I will wait.

I rarely lead after the first break. Usually end up about a 10th of the chipleaders stack. No big deal, they always come back to the field but I want to know how they get there.

donktheclown

Very good thread.

There really are 2 strategies that work. That is from books + personal experience.

#1: Starting conservative and loosing up as the tournament develops. This is the "Harrington" strategy. Advantage is you should make it far in many tournaments, but disadvantage is you'll always be short stacked and you will be forced playing all-ins mid-late in the tournament.

#2: Starting loose with a "I get a chip lead or lose quick" attitude. Whether you lose in 2 minutes or in 2 hours make little difference. I mean, unless you make the final table, payouts usually suck. So the strategy here is to play hands and be aggressive. You lose some tournaments quickly but in some others you get a nice stack and then you can bully your table opponents.

Both strategies are employed successfully by different players. I guess it comes down to using the strategy people feel most confident with.

Biscuit

The type of tournament usually influences this as well. If its $1 R&A, then I can count on the other players being fairly loose and crazy early on. I tend to tighten up some on the lower pp and suited connectors, but will push or call a push with TT or higher. Same with freerolls.

If it's a regular $10 tournament (or higher) then the play tends to be more conservative, and I try to limp in more often to try to make a big hand.

__________________
They can take our payment processors, but they'll never take OUR FREEEEEEDOMMMMM!!!!