Folding too much?

2+LOU · #1 08-16-2006, 10:50 PM

Hi,

I'm not sure exactly how put this. But I've been wondering if I fold some potentially winning hands a bit too often.

The majority of the time I'm playing a conservative style of NL. This style works for me and wins for me. Though I've noticed that for this to work I generally need to see 19%-23% of flops during the first 3/4 of the the tournament. Since I'm playing good cards, if I'm running card dead and only really seeing 10% of flops, then the blinds are all over me during the tournament, and I get into push/fold mode faster than I'd like due to my low 'M'.

So, I'm wondering what other conservative styled players do if they get into this mode. Is it simply a matter of having to take a medicore or less than medicore hand and run with it, since better cards are not coming?

Thanks,
Lou!

Webster · #2 08-17-2006, 07:31 AM

talking SnGs?

Just hang on. remember - SnGs are not about cards, it's about money management and playing conservative is the way to go. Card dead happens.

Don't change - better cards will show up.

I have been In the Money MANY times because I have one only one hand. All it takes is for you to win one hand to get at least 3rd.

The key is NOT losing a hand. It's not about winning hands.

2+LOU · #3 08-17-2006, 08:58 AM

Yes, SnGs on PokerStars. The $5 game. I'll finish in the money about 75% of the time. But I get frustrated when I'm card dead, and because I play tight I wind up folding a million hands. Once in a while I'll try make something happen with a marginal hand and it'll just blow up on me and do more harm than good.

I guess it can be said that I shouldn't expect to finish in the money all the time!

Lou!

canada_dry · #4 08-17-2006, 11:09 AM

How can you be frustrated if you make the money 3 out of 4 times. Gimme a break.

2+LOU · #5 08-17-2006, 08:15 PM

Relax.

Maybe it's not that good...maybe that's selective memory...maybe it's better to say 60-65%.

Either way, I suppose my root question is: How does the conseravative player deal with going card dead in either a SnG or MTT? At what point do you have no choice but to get aggresive? Is it all simply based on "M"? That's how I go about it at least.

Going back to what Webster said. If SnGs are about money management, then how does the strategy for MTT contrast with that?

Lou!

Kaeser · #6 08-17-2006, 08:32 PM

Try multi-tabling. Start with 4 tables at a time. It's hectic at first but after a few days it's just as easy as playing one table. With 4+ tables you won't even notice if you go card dead on one of them.

2+LOU · #7 08-18-2006, 12:25 PM

I've been under the impression that if you get short stacked in a MTT you have to push sooner and with less quality hands while short stacked since you really need those big stacks to win.

In a SnG where everone starts with 1500 and 10/20 blinds, even if you're still at 1500 when it gets to 100/200 blinds, it's not so bad since by then you're probably in a bubble situation.

But in a MTT, if that same thing happened, you'd have to get it all in there much earlier since the blinds are going to get much higher at the final table.

Lou!

Acein8ter · #8 08-18-2006, 12:50 PM

I typically play the same way.... fairly conservative through 3/4 of a tourney. IMO, if you start playing a bit loose, you should have a really good post flop play.

That strategy also keeps you from being dominated which is good. I'd just try to play more hands when your on the button or near it... (C/O or late mid pos)