X-Post from Books: Discussion about Poker Tournament Formula

[Lloyd]

For the record, I didn't think your posts were "superfluous". But as soon as "Radar" started posting things went downhill fast in that thread.

And I was actually going to make the point that even Harrington understood that faster blinds (due to fewer people at the table) had an impact on "M" and that it's not a tough leap to go from that to "M" being impacted by the structure. But you beat me to it.

I'm not convinced either way but I will probably buy this book as I think it's at least something to think about.

[BigAlK]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not convinced either way but I will probably buy this book as I think it's at least something to think about.

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that even those who don't think tournament structure should impact strategy might still get some value from the book, especially relative novices like myself.

Anyone could potentially benefit from his formula for quantifying the "speed" of a tournament. He provides a method for comparing 2 tournaments with different structures so that you can answer a question like "which of these two tournament choices is the best." He also has a method for estimating how long a tournament will last and what the size of the average chip stack will be at the final table.

His discussion of what he calls the 3 sources of power - chips, position, and cards - will drive home for a novice that there are more ways to win than showing down the best hand. This might also get more advanced players thinking about things from a different angle.

The only item I found that jumped out at me as less than accurate (not that I'm the best judge of that) is a chapter he has on chopping at the final table. Since the book is aimed at playing tournaments with fast structures his advice assumes that by the final table everyone will be shortstacked and playing it out will be a "crapshoot." I felt that his examples of a reasonable chop of the prize fund when you had a significant chip lead were giving up too much equity. He agreed that his advice might have been too conservative in that area.