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One thing (by no means a holistic response) to consider is that in the long run, worse players give away their chips earlier than good player. Therefore, one could inuit that it may be advantage to engage early (perhaps in spots that you would not typically enter) with a player you know to be terrible.

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Very true. There is a lot to be gained by being able to play postflop in the early levels.

To the OP: Of course your play in the first two levels matters. If you can arrive at the bubble or near to it with a larger than average stack you will get more opportunities for stealing and be in better shape to finish ITM and win.