The Poker Tournament Formula by Arnold Snyder...

[Leavenfish]

[ QUOTE ]
No, and the football analogy is flat wrong. Furthermore, it happens all the time when the score is tied in the fourth quarter. Good coaches won't deviate from their game plan.

[/ QUOTE ] - Mason

I think the problem is you both are playing different games and you are both correct...within your own game:

It seems to me that Mason is looking at 60 sec = 1 min; 15 min = 1 quarter; 4 quarters = 60 min (1 game).

In Arnold's football game, time moves like this: 60 sec may = 1 min; but 14 min = the first quarter, 11 min = the second; 7 min = the 3rd and 4 min = the 4th quarter.

Mason is saying that being down 30 - 21 going into the 4th quarter means you have to step it up but not altogether abandon your strong run or option game...though your are down 9 and will need to score twice.

Arnold is saying that you want to go to rather great pains make sure to not allow yourself to get down 30 -21 going into the 4th quarter in the first place. This is because in his football game, you will have a far bigger hole to dig yourself out of as you will have less time to make up the difference. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

----Leavenfish

[jackaaron]

Actually, I would say that Arnold is saying that people are gathering advice and reading books for a full 4 quarter game, and realizing (in the last few minutes) that the game they're in is only 1 quarter.

[Cactus Jack]

Guys, thanks for a great thread. I hope the discussion between Messrs. Malmuth and Snyder continues until we have consensus, because I really want to understand both positions.

Barry Greenstein says, "Tournament poker is a lottery with better odds and an element of skill." I hope to do what I can to increase the gap between skill and luck. I like the concept of "betting against their luck" which Mr. Snyder says. Anything that reduces the amount of luck needed and increases the edge in skill is +EV to me.

Funny, after years and playing in hundreds of tournaments, I never thought of a coin flip situation as coming down to luck. duh You think you know a lot... The fewer times you put yourself in this situation, the better, therefore, playing the player not the cards becomes even more important.

From reading this thread, I think Mr. Snyder is making an important contribution to my continuing education, as is Mason is getting him here and clarifying.

nh, sirs