[Yearbookpoker]

Like a few said the basic strategy in tournaments seems to be slow at first allowing the bad players to get knocked out then coming on. I my cards that I play in the first 20 minutes and then after are so very different. In the first 20 minutes your called by everone no matter what it seems so I don't play unless I am strong. After that time though I can play everyhand depending on the scenario. Like BSgutshot said too once I have cashed I usually pick up the play even more. Sometime though if I am huge chip leader I step back after initial cashing.

[touche]

In a tournament style I will always look at...

1) The cards people will take to the showdown. I focus more on the losing hands if you get to see them. You can learn alot about someone by what they won't let go of. You can get important information that can help you later when you are in the hand against them.

2) Betting patterns. These can be some of the easiest tells to pick up quickly. Most people don't vary the bets or plays. Some will never bet when on a draw or will overbet to try and steal when on a drawing hand. Some tight players will fold to any reraise unless they have the nuts. Helpful to steal hands and blinds.

3) Every chip counts. Those marginal hands that you called early and then were forced to fold can haunt you later when the blinds go up.

4) The power of the reraise. Most people hate it and can get you lots of hands or get people out of a hand quickly. Most people get scare when one raise happens let alone someone comes over the top.

[greendrag00n]

Originally Posted by sijiawu89

I wait for a good hand and push it all in, in the beginning someone is bound to call it.

I agree aggression is key but poker is a little more complicated then that and you cant play poker by theory you have to evaluate the sitaution if you dont do that then you will most likely lose a lot.

[doflovespoker]

Strategy, I should have a strategy. That sounds like a good idea.

Seriously, the plan of attack is first based on the type of tournament, the number of people playing, the % payout, my knowledge of those playing, my investment (time and money) and type of play (fixed, pot, no limit).

With so many variables it is hard to always say what I would do. As I think back on my play I try to play good hands aggressively and I stay away from investing to much in straight or flush draws.

The result has been good. Recently I have averaged about $200 a month, without any real financial investment. (A lot of that success has come as a result of what I have read on this site - ty). I have won some freerolls ($20, $25 for 1st place) and placed high in others. To do this though, has taken a lot of time and I think I might need to move on to more buy-ins to continue my bankroll with less time involved.

I have only played for about 10 months so I am a little hesitant to go to far, but I have the funds to try my hand at another level.

[spresso81]

I think in those big games you should play looser but with hands lie A9 and above. Do not go all in on 38.

[hayden1009]

I think as more people enter the poker world your only recourse is to play quality hands ...some people just refuse to be bluffed and many have only the tv poker as a guide as how to play and if you dont keep that in mine you will get outdrawn more often then not.

[ad1129]

Originally Posted by hayden1009

I think as more people enter the poker world your only recourse is to play quality hands ...some people just refuse to be bluffed and many have only the tv poker as a guide as how to play and if you dont keep that in mine you will get outdrawn more often then not.

lol? I disagree. Just becaue somebody refuses to be bluffed doesn't mean that say 45s can't make you a ton of money. No need to only play quailty hands its all about your style. You can play like a completle idiot and still be a winning poker player. I personally play TAG and LAG throughout a tourney; i'm not a fan of SAG/UAG too many flops and way too many tough decisions you have to be faced with.

-ad

[sensei24]

Originally Posted by hayden1009

I think as more people enter the poker world your only recourse is to play quality hands ...some people just refuse to be bluffed and many have only the tv poker as a guide as how to play and if you dont keep that in mine you will get outdrawn more often then not.

I think the numbers of players that begin to play online poker has doubled in the last year.
Poker becomes more and more known.
That is way the tournaments, especcialy the freerolls becomes harder to get down.
The players learn quicly just playing alot or they learn from others.

[salva1msk]

tournament play???
All I can say about that is just play real tight or your out within minutes