when to change play for the bubble in a tournament?

Question

I usually play tight aggressive, but I've relised its better to loosen up a little and become even more aggressive, to take advantage of people who become too tight open to sit and wait for the money in, but is there a point when my play should change to take acount of this, what would this be?

probable options seem to be, assuming the bubble is the 4th player:

1. When there are 5 players left
2. When there are 3 players, plus the bubble left

PS: This is hold'em, either limit, NL or PL

Answer 1

Skilled experienced players tend to tighten up near the bubble, but they also know everyone else thinks this too. At 5 players out, stick with the style that got you there, if you are above the chip average in your table. If not, try to make the bubble at least. Better to cash than not, of course.

If you are short stacked and the blinds are getting near, well, you just have to take your best shot,

Never get loose in first or in early position anywhere near the bubble. Too often an "action flop" comes along. (If you don't know what an action flop is, do an internet search: action flop paul phillips)

When you are at 2 players before the bubble, look for opportunites to steal the blinds, or to run a strong semi-bluff. Don't lower your starting hand standards unless you are on the button with no prior raises or calls. Then loosen your play.

Another note here, too. When you pass the bubble, some of the short stacks will get very loose. They made it and now will try to get lucky. A lot of tournaments are won at this point by picking up chips with a tight/very agressive style.

If you want some more poker strategy, check out my website and the poker strategy section:

http://www.thedoverpro.com

Answer 2

If the bubble is #4, are you playing a Single Table? In my experience, you won't get a lot of bubble action on a single table tourney. The idea behind bubble paranoia is "I've worked too hard to get this close and lose!" In a Single table, it's just not painful enough to take 4th or 5th. Most decent players won't tighten up enough.

As far as how close to the bubble to get in a larger tourney before you open it up, you have to take a look at three factors to make your decision:

1. Are there enough players at your table in fear of missing the $$$? If only 1-2 players at your table are in danger, most of the table will be hunting same as you. The last thing you want to do is draw a bead on your victim, just to get raised by 2 other guys who have your stack covered.

2. Can you maintain pressure until the money? If you start your aggression too soon, some of your victims will get fearless. After all, they can do math too. If you're too quick to start bullying, they'll soon realize that they CAN'T make the $$$ without a win, and they'll make a stand.

3. Is your table image really tight aggressive? If you recently joined the table, or have been pulling in a lot of pots with great hands, but no showdown, your intended victims may have you pegged as a bully already. Just your luck, you'd stumble into a short-stack with testicles on your first attack.

There are other factors as well, but what it comes down to is that there IS NO right time to start loosening up. It's dependant on your table image, your opponents' table images, everyone's chip stacks, and the relative 'pain' of barely missing the money.

{Side note: The only real difference between NL and Limit in this scenario is that you'll have to get closer to the bubble before you start pulling the trigger in Limit. You can't threaten every stack you have covered with an immediate exit, unless the Blinds of gone supersonic already, so the likelihood of players getting super tight is a LOT lower. Most players will realize they can absorb a loss or 3 and stilll be safe, so they won't tighten up until they're VERY at risk.}
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EDIT: I just finished reading James' quotes from 'Learn To Win Holdem'.

Man, is that some crap or what?!

I can't imagine trying to play THAT tight in a tourney of any type, and having a shot at the money. You'd have just as much chance if you just sat at the rail and watched to see if the field busted before you were blinded out!

Answer 3

Depending on how big the original field was you could loosen up even sooner. If the bubble is 4 you could loosen up at 6 or 7 left. This also assumes you're in pretty good chip position and there are a few shorter stacks around you. If you're in any danger yourself and start loosening up, they're gonna love your play and probably come after you. (This is all for NL or PL play.)

Answer 4

This is copied from Sit N Go section of Learn To Win Holdem. The strategy applies to SNG or MTT's. Hope it helps.

Sit and Go: The Early Stages

In the early stages of a Sit and Go tournament the strategy should be to play tight (remember tight is right), but aggressive when you get a hand. You are looking to avoid action unless you find yourself with AA, KK, QQ, JJ, and AK, suited. Never limp in bet 4 to 5 times the Big Blind and if you get re-raised go all in. Everything else you fold. Do not play problem hands such as K2 through K10 off suit!

Here are some key points to remember at this stage...

*

Play tight, but be very aggressive with premium hands.
*

Fold trash hands.



Sit and Go: The Middle Stages

The middle stages of a SNG tournament is when the field is somewhere between 5 to 7 players. By this time there will be chip leaders and you ought to be in a good position especially if the tournament leaders are not quality players.

Still maintain the tight aggressive play as in the early stage with one exception; if your stack is less than 10 times the Big Blind you need to become a bit more aggressive with lesser hands like AJ, AQ off suit, A10, KQ suited and start raising with them. Be careful,raise as close to the dealer position as much as possible.

One of the things you should do with AJs, AQs, or KQs when close to the dealer's button is raise in order to get position. You will be surprised how often you can do that with success and enjoy a real good chance to win the pot. This stage of the SNG is survival time and that is exactly what you want to do - SURVIVE!

Here are some key points to keep in mind...

*

You should know who the Maniacs, Rocks, Fish and Pros are.
*

Continue to play tight aggressive.
*

Remember this is survival time!



Sit and Go: The Late Stages

If you reached this point, you are either on the bubble or in the money. Now your strategy is to WIN BABY WIN! At this stage of the Sit and Go tournament if you are the chip leader, youcan loosen up your starting hand requirements and become aggressive.

Here is an example: You've got 8, 8 under the gun. Throughout other times in the tournament, you would either call with the hand hoping to flop a set or fold it instantly. This is not the case here. Make a strong pre-flop raise, and play aggressively post-flop regardless of the flop.

Don't "muck away" your blinds otherwise, you will be in trouble of blinding out. The blinds are high and throwing away your cards could leave you short stacked. During this phase of the game, you can't afford to wait for premium hands. Be aggressive! Play the player rather than the cards.

Here are some key points to bear in mind...

*

If you are the chip leader you need to attack and play super aggressive the 2nd and 3rd place players, who are most likely folding away their chance to win the tourney
*

When you have an average stack, you can't wait for the "monster" hands. This is the easiest way to "muck" your way out of the tournament.
*

If you're short stacked, you need to take risks! Play aggressively to try to double up
*

Never flat call a bet, either raise or fold.
*

Always raise with the "monsters", never call.

Answer 5

Also, pick good spots to make moves. I sometimes like to fold a weak hand on the button to show that I play good hands, and then try to make a play in one of the next hands when there are no raises before me and not many limpers.