First tournament cash in a while - feels good - NO LIMPING!! (1 Viewer)

[upNdown]

I made the final table at an 82 man NLHE tournament yesterday. When it got down to 6, we chopped. Sure, I'll take better than 4th place money for being the short stack!
But the point is, I got there because I specifically addressed a weakness in my game and it totally worked. I'm embarrassed to say it, but last week, just thinking about my past few tournament losses, I realized I'd been limping WAY too much. I have no idea how that awful habit developed; I certainly don't play cash that way. I think a combination of factors led to it, but the point is, I identified the problem, I eliminated the problem, and I cashed, and it felt damn good.

 

[ledge4131]

I made the final table at an 82 man NLHE tournament yesterday. When it got down to 6, we chopped. Sure, I'll take better than 4th place money for being the short stack!
But the point is, I got there because I specifically addressed a weakness in my game and it totally worked. I'm embarrassed to say it, but last week, just thinking about my past few tournament losses, I realized I'd been limping WAY too much. I have no idea how that awful habit developed; I certainly don't play cash that way. I think a combination of factors led to it, but the point is, I identified the problem, I eliminated the problem, and I cashed, and it felt damn good.

Congrats! Now it's time to spin it into a WSOP cash/win, and you're good to go!

 

[detroitdad]

Congratulations sir. I fixed my Tourney leak, I quit playing them j/k . Just kidding about not playing them lol

 

[Jambine]

I made the final table at an 82 man NLHE tournament yesterday. When it got down to 6, we chopped. Sure, I'll take better than 4th place money for being the short stack!
But the point is, I got there because I specifically addressed a weakness in my game and it totally worked. I'm embarrassed to say it, but last week, just thinking about my past few tournament losses, I realized I'd been limping WAY too much. I have no idea how that awful habit developed; I certainly don't play cash that way. I think a combination of factors led to it, but the point is, I identified the problem, I eliminated the problem, and I cashed, and it felt damn good.

It's sometimes easy to forget the basics.
I think it was Brunson (or maybe Sklansky) that pointed out "it takes a stronger hand to call, than it does to raise".
I also find myself limping and then regretting it. Damn it, why don't I play my hand?

 

[upNdown]

It's sometimes easy to forget the basics.

There are SO many things to focus on in tournament poker, that I wouldn't even try to list them. Half of them probably happen subconsciously.
I think in this case, one of the things that drew my attention is that the last few tournaments have had ante's, which I'm not used to. And so I realized I needed to be in more pots, to collect those antes. But limping isn't the way to do that!!

 

[Wils]

>> so I realized I needed to be in more pots, to collect those antes. <<

Also, more money in the pot usually means better pot odds, usually means more reason to play more hands.

 

[AceFour]

Congrats! I am reading Gus's Every Hand Revealed book now. It is a interesting read, especially if you look at the hand and ask what you would do vs how Gus played it.

 

[MatB]

I made the final table at an 82 man NLHE tournament yesterday. When it got down to 6, we chopped. Sure, I'll take better than 4th place money for being the short stack!
But the point is, I got there because I specifically addressed a weakness in my game and it totally worked. I'm embarrassed to say it, but last week, just thinking about my past few tournament losses, I realized I'd been limping WAY too much. I have no idea how that awful habit developed; I certainly don't play cash that way. I think a combination of factors led to it, but the point is, I identified the problem, I eliminated the problem, and I cashed, and it felt damn good.

Nice one Rob, where were you? Hampton?

 

[upNdown]

Nice one Rob, where were you? Hampton?

Yup. The 1:00 yesterday. I would have been happy to play it out, but by 11:00, the table was getting tired and wanted to chop. When I'm the short stack and looking at $200, it's tough to argue with an offer to take $500.

 

[upNdown]

Finally got back to NH yesterday. Seabrook. First tournament was a 100k deeeeepstack. The blind levels were fast but the increases were reasonable. Only 3 tables registered. My table was a maddening mix - a few calling stations, one guy playing like a pro, one guy who was a crazy blend of TAG/reckless aggressive. I had well-sized preflop raises called down by K6, 10-5, and 7-3, and lost all those hands. Made me crazy. I lost.
But the next tournament was starting!
This was a more typical 12k stack with 20 minute blinds. 95 runners! I was playing well, had just about doubled my stack after 90 minutes, when I again got called preflop by 7-3 (3.5 bb raise) and they beat my jack's, halving my stack. Holy crap! And the guy actually said "they were suited" which at first I assumed was a joke, but then began to suspect it wasn't.
Somehow, I got over it, recovered, and was probably 5th out of the final 7 when we chopped. Why chop? Well, the blinds (which were increased quite reasonably for most of the tournament) had just gone from 5k/10k to 10k/20k to 20k/40k. Imagine that? 7 people left, average stack of 160k and the bb is 40k? Awful. @BGinGA
But bottom line is any day I make final table out of 95 and chop for 4th place money is a very good day.

 

[detroitdad]

Finally got back to NH yesterday. Seabrook. First tournament was a 100k deeeeepstack. The blind levels were fast but the increases were reasonable. Only 3 tables registered. My table was a maddening mix - a few calling stations, one guy playing like a pro, one guy who was a crazy blend of TAG/reckless aggressive. I had well-sized preflop raises called down by K6, 10-5, and 7-3, and lost all those hands. Made me crazy. I lost.
But the next tournament was starting!
This was a more typical 12k stack with 20 minute blinds. 95 runners! I was playing well, had just about doubled my stack after 90 minutes, when I again got called preflop by 7-3 (3.5 bb raise) and they beat my jack's, halving my stack. Holy crap! And the guy actually said "they were suited" which at first I assumed was a joke, but then began to suspect it wasn't.
Somehow, I got over it, recovered, and was probably 5th out of the final 7 when we chopped. Why chop? Well, the blinds (which were increased quite reasonably for most of the tournament) had just gone from 5k/10k to 10k/20k to 20k/40k. Imagine that? 7 people left, average stack of 160k and the bb is 40k? Awful.
But bottom line is any day I make final table out of 95 and chop for 4th place money is a very good day.

congrats

 

[kk405]

Finally got back to NH yesterday. Seabrook. First tournament was a 100k deeeeepstack. The blind levels were fast but the increases were reasonable. Only 3 tables registered. My table was a maddening mix - a few calling stations, one guy playing like a pro, one guy who was a crazy blend of TAG/reckless aggressive. I had well-sized preflop raises called down by K6, 10-5, and 7-3, and lost all those hands. Made me crazy. I lost.
But the next tournament was starting!
This was a more typical 12k stack with 20 minute blinds. 95 runners! I was playing well, had just about doubled my stack after 90 minutes, when I again got called preflop by 7-3 (3.5 bb raise) and they beat my jack's, halving my stack. Holy crap! And the guy actually said "they were suited" which at first I assumed was a joke, but then began to suspect it wasn't.
Somehow, I got over it, recovered, and was probably 5th out of the final 7 when we chopped. Why chop? Well, the blinds (which were increased quite reasonably for most of the tournament) had just gone from 5k/10k to 10k/20k to 20k/40k. Imagine that? 7 people left, average stack of 160k and the bb is 40k? Awful. @BGinGA
But bottom line is any day I make final table out of 95 and chop for 4th place money is a very good day.

I understand the logic of chopping in certain situations, but I never chop. I always play to win and if I end up getting 7th place money, so be it. I also see it as a good practice for future possibilities of being in the same spot when there is a lot more at stake. You do need to gain experience of playing 4 handed, 3 handed and heads-up, even when blinds are astronomically high. Well, especially when they are astronomically high.

 

[upNdown]

I understand the logic of chopping in certain situations, but I never chop. I always play to win and if I end up getting 7th place money, so be it. I also see it as a good practice for future possibilities of being in the same spot when there is a lot more at stake. You do need to gain experience of playing 4 handed, 3 handed and heads-up, even when blinds are astronomically high. Well, especially when they are astronomically high.

I agree in theory. But unless I'm some kind of giant stack, I'm never going to be the lone hold-out. It's a social game, and if 6 other people are in favor of it, I'm not going to argue.
And it seems to be the norm at these NH card rooms. In the past few months, me and my buddy have cashed 8 tournaments and every one of them was a chop.
When in Rome . . .
I haven't been doing this for very long, but I did take 3rd at a tournament at the Mohegan Sun back in the fall, and there was never even a discussion of a chop, which was fine with me. I'd rather spend time at the bigger casinos, but for now, NH is much more convenient.

 

[SwampYankee]

I cashed at Seabrook the one time I played there. Same as you, when in Rome. I really didn't want to chop because I felt I may very likely win and wanted to know. It's not the WSOP, so effit. ; )

 

[detroitdad]

You do need to gain experience of playing 4 handed, 3 handed and heads-up

I agree with this statement. The only tourneys I play in are 20 player NLHE home games. I always offer to chop. I just want the damn thing to end so I can get some PLO and SOHE in before the end of the night.

even when blinds are astronomically high. Well, especially when they are astronomically high.

I disagree with this statement. I personally don't think any experience whatsoever is gained from playing the lottery. @upNdown post below makes it sound like that is exactly where the tourney was at.

Finally got back to NH yesterday. Seabrook. First tournament was a 100k deeeeepstack. The blind levels were fast but the increases were reasonable. Only 3 tables registered. My table was a maddening mix - a few calling stations, one guy playing like a pro, one guy who was a crazy blend of TAG/reckless aggressive. I had well-sized preflop raises called down by K6, 10-5, and 7-3, and lost all those hands. Made me crazy. I lost.
But the next tournament was starting!
This was a more typical 12k stack with 20 minute blinds. 95 runners! I was playing well, had just about doubled my stack after 90 minutes, when I again got called preflop by 7-3 (3.5 bb raise) and they beat my jack's, halving my stack. Holy crap! And the guy actually said "they were suited" which at first I assumed was a joke, but then began to suspect it wasn't.
Somehow, I got over it, recovered, and was probably 5th out of the final 7 when we chopped. Why chop? Well, the blinds (which were increased quite reasonably for most of the tournament) had just gone from 5k/10k to 10k/20k to 20k/40k. Imagine that? 7 people left, average stack of 160k and the bb is 40k? Awful. @BGinGA
But bottom line is any day I make final table out of 95 and chop for 4th place money is a very good day.

 

[kk405]

I agree in theory. But unless I'm some kind of giant stack, I'm never going to be the lone hold-out. It's a social game, and if 6 other people are in favor of it, I'm not going to argue.
And it seems to be the norm at these NH card rooms. In the past few months, me and my buddy have cashed 8 tournaments and every one of them was a chop.
When in Rome . . .
I haven't been doing this for very long, but I did take 3rd at a tournament at the Mohegan Sun back in the fall, and there was never even a discussion of a chop, which was fine with me. I'd rather spend time at the bigger casinos, but for now, NH is much more convenient.

Didn't realize it was somewhat of a social. Not too keen on the 'when in Rome...' thing. In cash games (regardless of time pot or raked), I never ever chop SBvBB. But more than 90% of the people I play with do. In tournaments, unless it's a friendly setting, I go with the no chop policy too. I just personally prefer to play until the end.

 

[kk405]

I personally don't think any experience whatsoever is gained from playing the lottery. @upNdown post below makes it sound like that is exactly where the tourney was at.

I think any and all experiences simply add to our arsenal of wisdom for the future. Gambling or not, if you play this game long enough, and are fortunate to make a few final tables, you will inevitably be faced with those 'gambling' spots. Lots of them.

 

[upNdown]

No more of a social than anywhere else. I just said it's a social game because that's one of the things we say. The atmosphere isnt really any different than a casino, but there are a lot of local regulars who know one another. But none of that means anything. Anybody has the right to object to a chop. And anybody else has the right to be out to get the guy who rejected a chop. Like I said, unless the offer is unfair, I'm not gonna be the only guy to reject it.
But to each, his own.

 

[SwampYankee]

No more of a social than anywhere else. I just said it's a social game because that's one of the things we say. The atmosphere isnt really any different than a casino, but there are a lot of local regulars who know one another. But none of that means anything. Anybody has the right to object to a chop. And anybody else has the right to be out to get the guy who rejected a chop. Like I said, unless the offer is unfair, I'm not gonna be the only guy to reject it.
But to each, his own.

I'll have to meet you at one of the NH card rooms... unless you want to come down to Twin Rivers. No tourneys there though.

 

[upNdown]

I'll have to meet you at one of the NH card rooms... unless you want to come down to Twin Rivers. No tourneys there though.

I've played cash at twin rivers a handful of times, but not for a couple of months. Did somebody tell me they were expanding their poker room? If so, I hope they add tournaments.

 

[Nex]

Limping and seeing many flops cheap is a great strategy for some cash games with certain types at the table... but for tournament almost never.

I've read Gus' book as well (German version though, but well-translated) and despite me not really being a tournament guy it did improve my play in the few tournaments I play. Can only recommend.

Well, the blinds (which were increased quite reasonably for most of the tournament) had just gone from 5k/10k to 10k/20k to 20k/40k. Imagine that? 7 people left, average stack of 160k and the bb is 40k? Awful.

Welcome to everyday online freerolls. Happy gambling...

 

[manamongkids]

Limping and seeing many flops cheap is a great strategy for some cash games with certain types at the table... but for tournament almost never.

I've read Gus' book as well (German version though, but well-translated) and despite me not really being a tournament guy it did improve my play in the few tournaments I play. Can only recommend.


Welcome to everyday online freerolls. Happy gambling...

Gus Hansen?

 

[Nex]

Gus Hansen?

Yep.

 

[manamongkids]

Yep.

this same Gus hansen who is the biggest loser in online poker history, who has lost most of money in PLO?

 

[Nex]

this same Gus hansen who is the biggest loser in online poker history, who has lost most of money in PLO?

Well, the Gus Hansen that had played and won the Aussie Millions and explained the very strat he used and thoughts he had when playing that very tournament. I don't really care if he's losing in PLO now, but his NLHE strat for the Aussie Millions obviously was a successful one.

It might not be perfect, and certainly quite a bunch of people know it and have adjusted to it. Many more others haven't... and here's where you can still profit. At least I have gained something from reading that book, but as said, I rarely play tournaments just because I never was too good at them and don't like the relatively high variance/gambling aspect of them either. Might be less helpful for more experienced tournament players. But it did improve my tournament play noticeably.

I was too shy to be aggressive in a lot of situations where it would have been mathematically incorrect but psychologically correct (expecting villains to play worse than optimal and turning the slight statistical loss into a slight statistical gain), and even some situations where it would have been mathematically correct.

 

[SwampYankee]

I've played cash at twin rivers a handful of times, but not for a couple of months. Did somebody tell me they were expanding their poker room? If so, I hope they add tournaments.

Don't know about that location, but they are working on a second facility in Tiverton RI which will have cards.

I have played there only twice, both this Summer. - 150 and +310.

 

[BUBBLE]

Congrats

 

[upNdown]

Well, the Gus Hansen that had played and won the Aussie Millions and explained the very strat he used and thoughts he had when playing that very tournament.

Sounds interesting. I ordered a copy.