play safe or final table

[HEBRIDIAN]

When you reach the later stages and are approaching the bubble  of a MTT do you try to ensure you make the money or risk going out playing a strong hand.I tend to play my strong hands regardless of position as you will make more final tables this way and increase your winnings over the long term.:smileywink:

[FreedoM]

Learn ICM, pretty much you need to land in the first 3 spots :) to make the most money.

If youre a big stack pick youre spots and if youre small gamble :)

 

[Magicadil]

I actually tend to loosen up as bubble approaches and play more aggressive. Depends on chip stack, but I like to pressure my opponents. If I'm relatively low in chips however & there's players with less than me, I will try to creep in the money by playing tight. This doesn't mean I'll fold a monster, but I'll fold more speculative and mid range hands in early positions.

[Valkyrie]

It depends on the situation. If I already have a healthy stack when the bubble hits I can play hardball, but if I'm just hanging in there as it is I'll probably fold through most of it and hope for good hands on the BB. Another time I might do the exact opposite though. :smileytongue:

[radge1]

Cashing is always my first priority, no heroics until I'm through the bubble. :robotwink:  

[ChapInAChair]

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@FreedoM wrote:

Learn ICM, pretty much you need to land in the first 3 spots :) to make the most money.

If youre a big stack pick youre spots and if youre small gamble :)

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This.

I love winning outright but long term poker strategy should be about winning the most money, not winning the most tournaments - although obviously winning a tournament pays the most in one individual case. Every time you click a button in poker it has a positive or negative expectancy. It's particularly polarised around the bubble but learning ICM will help you make optimal decisions when you're short stacked.

There is a lot to be said about adapting your play too. If a table tightens up around the bubble then I'm going to open up massively. On the other hand if I'm desperately short of chips with no realistic prospect of recovery then I'm prepared to fold into the money if there are others in equally perilous positions.

[startelver]

I thjnk the stack will decide it for me , if I'm shortstacked I will wait until the bubble finished before I try to double up.  If I'm big stack I will not even think about it , just play my game.   

[JillianP]

Sorry to be a thickie, but what is ICM?  Something something management I'm guessing?

[polarbear]

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@JillianP wrote:

Sorry to be a thickie, but what is ICM?  Something something management I'm guessing?

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Chip_Model

 

you may try to find more if you google it . is the most important thing in sng +mtt

[JillianP]

Thanks  

So much to learn!