Making Final Tables count!

[AllInKev]

Hi everyone. Im still a relative newbie here and a relative newbie in the poker world. First off, a mini introduction, im 21 - but look about 16 - but i'll come to that point later on. My name is Kev and i live (with the folks) in good old Sarfend, thats in Essex for those with poor geographical sense! I have been playing poker for 3 years and only in the last 18 months have discovered the fact there are plenty of opportunities to play Poker LIVE ( seems a strange thing when you had played online for 18 months and that was it ) I wouldn't describe myself as a great player but i think im quite knowledgeable as have done alot of reading on forums such as this one (and many others!) but i have never actually read a poker book! I know that some people SWEAR by reading Harrington's/Super System etc... but reading a book just isn't for me. I mainly play £10 re-buys and normally play fairly tight, in comparison to the rest of the table anyway. I do loosen up more than i normally would do online though.

Now recently, in the past month or so, i have been running really hot and have made 4 final tables out of the last 4 attempts. Before this, i have made final tables - including winning 1, coming second in another and a few other 5th-10th's - but i never actually felt like i was playing good poker and i thought that it reflected in my results. What i wanted to know is how can i make the next step up and start winning tournaments?! Do i have to put the ground work in early on during the re-buy competition and build a big stack up then!? Or is the crucial period period the hour AFTER the re-buy period has ended?! Or is it just a case of picking up big cards at the correct time and hoping to get a call and win some coin flips now and again. I have wanted to post this kind of thing for a while, but i wanted to make sure i could get to FT's consistantly and then i can progress. Im always willing to learn, take advice from anyone, in any situation and take that on board for the next time im in a certain situation. Back to my earlier point about how "young" i look! Now im sure that most on you fella's who post on here are older than 21. What are your opinions on someone like me, coming along and doing fairly well, especially when you see me play fairly tightly. If i was to raise, in lets say, mid position, and you look down at AJ. Would you be more prepared to play against me or less prepared as i haven't played too many hands and because i look "young" must mean i have a decent hand!? I pick up alot of small pots as i try to play as many pots as i can in position and i never limp into a pot. If im playing, im raising. I love hands such as 9T sooted as you can hit some nice flops and can get paid handsomely.

Yes, yes, im ranting on a little. But im just interested mainly about how i can turn my 4th to 7th's into 1st and 2nds. Any other thoughts/opinions/points are greaty appreciated and will try to implement them in the games i play!

Thanks again!

Kev

[rudders]

I found playing Sngs really helped my Ft play- it helps to get used to the changing dynamics of the table in terms of numbers at the table and nearing the money ( or in terms of FT getting to the significant payouts).

If you making the final tables consistantly then the wins will come. I know of a few players who consistantly Finaled but couldnt make the win for ages- and it really started to get to them ( to their detrimant IMHO), when the win came it was swiftly followed by others.

Also are you playing to limp into the money- then to climb the money ladder, and do this increases mean a significant amount to you? If so perhaps a change of strategy in taking more risks- pushing draws against weaker/tighter/limping into the money types, may be in order.

As far as playing against younger players- most of the so called "internet kids" tend be more oober agressive rather than tight so no assumptions on that score- Any decent player will have watched you and will make decisions based on hands played frequency and the quality of your hands shown/how well they were played rather than whether your balls have dropped.

Hope this helps

Rudders

[AllInKev]

What level SnG's do you suggest that i play!? $5/$10/$20/$50 or a mix of all?! I dont normally play alot of SnG's to be honest, but i did come 3rd on a P.S $10 tourny. I built up a big stack early on after hitting quad QQ's but then went totally card dead for 40mins and everytime i raised, someone seemed to raise all in and i just couldn't call. Ended up making a squeeze with  and got called by  and was out in 3rd. Will try a few more tomorrow as im off soon. Thanks for the advice rudders. Anyone else have anything to add?! Maybe someone else has had the same problem and have solved it recently?!

Kev

[AdamM]

I'd say play the highest level you can afford.

I find it easier playing $30 STTs than $10 STTs but of course a bad run will cost you more at a higher level.

proper bankroll management is the key, as I found out the hard way

[rudders]

I'd say play the highest level you can afford.

I find it easier playing $30 STTs than $10 STTs but of course a bad run will cost you more at a higher level.

proper bankroll management is the key, as I found out the hard way

totally agree

[AllInKev]

Cheers fella's! Im not going to be able to play ny poker over the next week; or so - so will give that a try after!

Thanks again

Kev