Trouble at the Tournaments (Online)

I don't know if anybody saw any of my other posts somewhere down the line about always being at the bottom of the tournament placings, or struggling along with the raising the blinds.
I play a fairly tight game. I normally raise with Pocket Pairs TT and above, and I limp in with high, connected (suited or not suited).
Would playing suited connectors open up my game some more? I know that a lot of players like to play A8 or A9, something with an Ace, just because it is an ace. By suited connectors, I'm talking about cards like 56s, 67s, 78s, 9Ts, and up.
I'm trying to figure out a way to loosen up so I can be a part of the chip leaders and make my way through tournaments without a problem.

Even tonight I played in a poker tournament for my college. Out of 60 players, I placed 9th, but I got squeezed out by the blinds. I played 45 one time and got a straight, but I think that was total luck on the draw of the cards.

[odiggity]

read harington on holdem

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read harington on holdem

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Got 1 and 2 on order...but in the mean time...

I usually try to take flops cheaply with suited connectors when I have chips to play with. You could maybe play A8 or A9 from late position.
Just a question, do you consider your position at all when you determine your starting, your original post indicates you don't.

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I usually try to take flops cheaply with suited connectors when I have chips to play with. You could maybe play A8 or A9 from late position.
Just a question, do you consider your position at all when you determine your starting, your original post indicates you don't.

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I do consider position on every hand. Many times if I have a good hand, I will limp in on early position to see what everyone else does - almost like checking. Normally with pocket 9 and below in early position I will fold - middle position also if I think someone to my left is loose. When I'm in late position I am still tight, but a little loose based on my betting, be it 3-5x BB.

you shouldnt be afraid of getting into tangles with loose players if you only play these starting hands, i suggest you entice action on your decent hands when the loose people are yet to act, you will win more showdowns than not in the long run imo.

[The_Mush]

In response to what hands you play in early position, I think you are definitely being too tight. I consider play pretty conservative, and I am not folding 77-99 in any position if the pot hasn't yet been raised. You can limp with these hands in EP, but I don't think you can fold them if you want a shot at winning a big tourney. That's just my thinking though.

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I do consider position on every hand. Many times if I have a good hand, I will limp in on early position to see what everyone else does - almost like checking. Normally with pocket 9 and below in early position I will fold - middle position also if I think someone to my left is loose. When I'm in late position I am still tight, but a little loose based on my betting, be it 3-5x BB.

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Not a big fan of limping early. It tends to result in a squandering of chips. Usually one of two things happen.

1. Someone raises and you're faced with a decision (this is by far the most common scenario).

2. Everyone calls and your pot equity is small.

The bottom line is that if you're trying to see the flop on the cheap by limping early, it's probably not gonna happen. Save limping for late position when you have a hand that favors a multiway (suited connectors, one gappers).

If you're gonna come in early, do so strongly w/ a raise. Most people respect strength shown early. Often you'll end up against only one or two players, and you can take down the pot after the flop with a continuation bet.


PokerStars Tournament #16111085, No Limit Hold'em
Buy-In: $20.00/$2.00
180 players
Total Prize Pool: $3600.00
Tournament started - 2005/12/06 - 00:42:44 (ET)
Tournament finished - 2005/12/06 - 04:56:03 (ET)
1: gamblervpi (Blacksburg), $1080.00 (30%)
2: Foghatlive (NY), $720.00 (20%)
3: oatster (katy), $428.40 (11.90%)
4: moneyman11 (oakville), $288.00 (8%)

[beenben]

You cannot just think about starting cards. You must also consider position and your stack size relative to blinds and antes (M). If you are folding pocket 77 when its been folded around to you on the button because it's not TT or better, you're playing too tight. On the other hand, folding AJo or TT UTG could be wise.

You can add suited connectors but don't limp- raise. If you raise with big hands and limp with small, its obvious when you have which one.

Also consider your stack size. If you have an M of 10 or less, you need to pick some cards and make a move- preferably when it's not been raised in front of you, preferably from mid or late position, preferably with some kind of cards such as two suited connectors above 23, Ace almost anything, K8 or higher, QT or higher, any pair.

Also, if you have junk when your stack is above an M of 10, you can make a steal attempt. It's easier to lay down junk to a re-raise.

[odiggity]

i dont think he knows what M and UTg even mean. italion these types of posts do not get replyed to. just study any books u can find, play as much as u can, and read the posts here.