STT question

[thetank]

For those who play their single table tournaments all tight at the beginning, and then start making moves when the dynamic shifts and the blinds get larger.

Do you favour a gradual loosening on starting hand requirements, as it becomes more and more necessary?

Or do you prefer a sudden shift from one style to the other?

[Ginger]

Personally I go with the sudden shift, not got time for a long post as I'm off out for lunch. Will post more later....

[The_Diamond]

In general its a good idea to alter your preflop strategy slightly for every player that gets knocked off, but your approach in general should be reactionary as every table is different. On level one I actually play quite loose passive preflop because there is huge value in seeing lots of cheap flops, and taking advantage of the fact that many players don't want to commit too much of their stack early. It's not going to put a huge dent in my stack and the vaue of getting a chip lead early is huge. After that I generally play quite tight unless the table is playing weak, in which case I'll just keep applying pressure when I have position. By the time we get shorthanded I know which blinds to atttack and would have a different gear to be in for each hand depending on my position and the players involved. A lot of people think there are 2 gears to be in for STTs but in fact you should have about 6.

[Highstack]

The big difference between sites on these is huge. Blind structures, hands or clock per level and height of buy in, which can mean (crypto) you get more starting chips at a higher level.

Personally, I always treat around 20% of my starting stack as play chips. I see plenty of flops, steal what I am allowed to and see what I can accumulate. I try not to get pot stuck without a big hand. Providing that you have enough chips to make your opponent think and not make an auto call, then rocking up if you lose that 20% is not a problem as you can still get into push or pass mode when the blinds increase. So many players are so passive, that the key is strength and getting them in first. As the blinds go up, then get em in first and keep getting em in!

[KeithyB]

In answer to the original specific question I'd say that I tend to go with the sudden shift option.  The timing would usually be when blinds reach 100/200 or 150/300 and are worth winning.  It's amazing how many players seem not to notice the blinds have just gone up and they will still fold as if they are at a low level.

Actually, thinking about it, after this short burst of aggression I quite often then go back into tight mode for a time.  Hopefully my play/steals/reraises so far have left me comfortable enough to watch the carnage that tends to take place between players shortly after this point of the game!

Whilst this is my general answer, obviously ultimately it can change dependant on number of players left, chip stacks, player style etc etc

[jezza777]

I think a sudden gear change has to be the way to go. After all the tight early / aggresive later strategy is all about building up a picture of your play , or at least telegraphing that you use super tight hand selection to your opponents. You trade on your early tightness to pick up blinds and dead money later on . If you gradually increase you aggressiveness then your oppo's may not notice, and therefore not give you enough credit for you "hand".

On a related matter, I am not convinced that this strategy is the way to go . If you ask yourself where your edge comes from (in general) then surley it comes from playing better than your opponents ? So if you feel you can stand up against the field you should want to play more pots with them so your edge can be maximised?

[Dewi_cool]

a) Yes
b) Yes

[thetank]

I mention it coz someone asked me the other day at what blind level it is best to start "playing" in STTs. I sent them this reply.


It's fluid, depends on a whole bunch of factors.

The main ones being how many are left, and the size of your stack.

How many are left

If theres a full table, I might start playing at level 4 or 5 (150/300)
The blinds come around slower, so you can afford to wait a little longer.

If we have a lot of players out early, and we have 4/5 players left, I mihgt start playing at level 3 (50/100)

Size of your stack

If you've already doubled up, you don't need to start playing until you're in danger of slipping into 4th chip position. Sometimes this will take yu into the money without doing anything.

If you've lost a few chips early on, maybe by playing JJ or AK or other such pisch (stop doing that) then you'll have to start it up earlier.




If you've started playing and one of these factors changes (like you come into a load of chips) it's not against the law to tighten up again.

The dynamic changes from hand to hand in STTs, you need to keep on top of it.

Good luck

[thetank]

The thing is though, I'm also a fan of the sudden shift, for reasons Jezza mentioned.

Ideally you want to get in a few blind steals straight away when you shift from tight. Before anyone realises you've changed gears, you have the free chips nice and safe in your stack.

The question is though, can the two maxims co-exist?

When best to push may be an arbitary line, but after a succesful steal, the dynamic is different (you have more chips bascially) so a push isn't as necessary. From the sudden shift point of view though, now may still be the best time to get in one or two more steals.

[jezza777]

Tank

1st hand of a 9 handed STT you have 67s on the button , there are 4 limpers . What is your move?
( I think I know the answer)

[Highstack]

Jezza; I know this was directed at Tank, but doesn't everyone limp here with atc? 67s is much more than I need.

I rarely advocate limpingh, I like to enter pots with a raise if it has not been opened before me, but here it is usually 15 from a minimum 1000 chips and I couldn't pass for anything in position.

[Wardonkey]

Tank

1st hand of a 9 handed STT you have 67s on the button , there are 4 limpers . What is your move?
( I think I know the answer)

Pass.

Pass KQ, QJ etc as well.

Jezza I think you are mistaking STTs for poker games. The skill factor has little to do with correct poker and everything to do with correct strategy and application of game theory.

[jezza777]

I think Tank passess here all day, I think he passess JJ too.

[thetank]

I pass of course.

Depends on the structure and the payout thuogh naturally.

If it's a slow slow structure or winner takes all payout, my style won't work as well and playing more hands early on might be a better way to go.
I don't buy into these kinda comps though. Pass pass pass, once every day of the week and twice on a Sunday.


67s is a hand that builds tempting looking draws. A good way to leak a lot of chips that are more valuable than the ones you might win, aswell as leaving you with a stack which is low enough to get called when you'd rather it wouldn't.

[thetank]

I think Tank passess here all day, I think he passess JJ too.

Shhh, don't tell anyone. I'll stop getting payed off.