Speed tournament strategy.

[nothumb]

I've never played one of these before, but I'm registered for one on Party starting very shortly. Anyone ever play these, any general thoughts on how they play and how to adjust? Is there a thread on this that I missed, not being a MTT player or reader?

Thanks
NT

[Ryan11]

I played in my first one today and ended up winning first. $20+2 and I cashed for $2650. It appears the strategy is to stall as long as possible when the blinds get huge. People were constantly stalling as long as possible and using their timebanks. It got to the point where the big stack couldnt even cover the BB. It would routinely go up a blind level before the hand was even over.

Basically stall till the money and then it turns into a crapshoot, this appears to be the standard strategy.

[yoadrians]

Another way to play is to treat the first half hour of the speed tournament like the first hour of a rebuy. Sure, you can stall into the money ... and maybe you cash. But since it's such a crapshoot at that point with the blinds covering the average stack, why not take some real risks early - pushing even the smallest of edge - and either doubling up or go home.

This is the strategy I've used. And, yes, I've busted out early more than a few times. But, lemme tell you, it really pays off to accumulate a bunch of chips early and be able to stay ahead of the blinds for as long as you can.

Like I said, I've busted out early. But the times I haven't - using the double-up or go-home strategy - I've wound up at the final table ...

And we all know that's where the real money is.

To each their own. I'd rather cash big or bust out early in these speed tournaments, though.

[eMarkM]

I've played a few of these, though not too many. Blind stealing is everything in the later stages. Play fast in the beginning and be willing to put it all in on decent pairs, AK, etc. But once you build a decent stack the blinds are still going to be large relative to everyone's stack, even the biggest. You basically would like to steal anytime it's folded to you in LMP/LP. Really, any two will do at some point. It does not pay to play tight in these. Keep in mind, open raise with your loose plays, don't make loose calls

[shmahappens]

These tournaments are the closest thing you can do to playing roulette at a card table. Complete luck, as the big stack is all-in PF before you even make it to the money.

And the whole concept of 'speed' is destroyed as everyone stalls 30 seconds, therefore it's 5 minutes between hands and 2, yes TWO FRIEKING LEVELS between each hand. No I'm not bitter at these. They're just pure gambling, no skill.

[Ryan11]

Party needs to limit the time to 10-15 secs and do away with the timebank for these tourneys.

[shmahappens]

I e-mailed them about it, along with a number of other players but it doesn't seem like it will be changed any time soon.

[zipppy]

[ QUOTE ]
And the whole concept of 'speed' is destroyed as everyone stalls 30 seconds, therefore it's 5 minutes between hands and 2, yes TWO FRIEKING LEVELS between each hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

The "speed" adjective in these tournies refers to the time between levels. It does not mean that player will or should play fast, or even that the tournament will be over quickly.

[ QUOTE ]
They're just pure gambling, no skill.

[/ QUOTE ]

I certainly hope you're kidding.

[Ogre]

is $30+3 as high buy-in as they go?

[juris]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
And the whole concept of 'speed' is destroyed as everyone stalls 30 seconds, therefore it's 5 minutes between hands and 2, yes TWO FRIEKING LEVELS between each hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

The "speed" adjective in these tournies refers to the time between levels. It does not mean that player will or should play fast, or even that the tournament will be over quickly.

[ QUOTE ]
They're just pure gambling, no skill.

[/ QUOTE ]

I certainly hope you're kidding.

[/ QUOTE ]


No, I don't think he was and I agree. Fewer hands + faster escalating blinds=less strategy.