Question on rebuy strategy

[twoakers]

I initially posted this in the "Poker Theory" section, but have gotten only one reply of the 56 views so far. Hopefully this forum will yeild better results.

Tonight (Monday) I am playing in a B&M tourney. $110 buy-in with 1 $100 rebuy within the first hour, no add ons. 30 players, 2000 chip to start, blinds start at 25 & 50 and double every 15 minutes for the first hour, every 10 minutes thereafter. Three qualifying tables (4pm, 6pm, 8pm), 10 players per table, top 3 from each table make the final table, which plays on Tuesday evening. During qualifying, play ends when there are only 3 players left at the table, chips carry-over to the final table. $1k added by casino, pays 5 spots, 45%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%. I estimate 1st place will pay approx $2k.

This casino usually only has $3/6 limit games, which are disgustingly loose. From what I have seen, most players don't know what they are doing, and play pretty much everything. I suck, but I honestly think I am probably in the top 5-10 players, simply because I work at it somewhat, and spend time on 2+2 learning. This is the first NL event held at the casino, and I am guessing it will be very loose, just as the limit games are.

Questions:

#1). My plan is to play TAG as I usually try to do, but during the first hour, even more tight than usual. From what I have read, this is the optimum strategy against a very loose game. Do you agree?

#2) (More importantly).. How do I deal with the re-buy option? I have debated playing very loose early on in an attempt to double up a time or two. If I bust, I can always re-buy. Also, when rebuy time comes, how do I determine if I should rebuy? If we get $2k in chips for the rebuy, what amount of chips do I need to have to make re-buying a good move?

All info is appreciated.

[Moose747]

1) When the game is loose and blinds are low, I like to play quite loose preflop--call with any pair, semi-suited connecters, two broadway cards. Look to hit a flop and stack someone.

2) You probably want to take the rebuy, assuming you're a better than average player. If you can take it immediately, I'd probably do so; otherwise take it whenever you can.

[AceLuby]

[ QUOTE ]
semi-suited connecters

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this two black or red cards?

[ QUOTE ]
You probably want to take the rebuy

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't agree w/ this. I say play normal poker and if you need a rebuy take it. If you can take it right away, you should do that, but I couldn't tell from the OP that this was possible.

I think since everyone is playing loose you should tighten up (not loosen up) and play your big hands strong. Blinds are moving quickly, so you aren't going to see many cheap flops anyway. If you see people folding constantly to your raises, then loosen up, but play tight until you have set your image. Personally I like to play the opposite of how everyone else is playing.

[Moose747]

At a loose table, you generally want to bluff less frequently, but you can lower your value-betting standards considerably, since weaker hands are more likely to be ahead of opponents' ranges. Playing tight against a bad loose table is safe and profitable, but IMO not as profitable as loosening up just slightly less than the rest of the table and not bluffing.

Semi-suited connectors are the nuts.

[twoakers]

I believe that rebuys can be purchased at any time up to the one-hour break. I have seen two theories on rebuying.

#1) Rebuy immediately and use the extra chips to bully smaller stacks, or;

#2) Don't rebuy until you get down to where you are "short stacked." This theory keeps allows a loose all-in move or two, but doesn't risk your tourney life because you can fall back on the $2k chip rebuy if you get whacked. I am struggling as to which avenue to take.

[boo5000]

This is practically a turbo tourney. Not a great poker playing structure. I would try getting a big stack quickly or go busto and play cash games...

EDIT: didn't see that it was a shootout. Still, blind levels are kinda quick.

[Moose747]

I've argued in the past that it's OK to not take a rebuy, particularly if there isn't a +cEV addon in the tournament structure, but I think if you're planning to rebuy at some point, it makes sense to do so as soon as you can.

Succesful poker means making +EV decisions, whether you're short-stacked or big-stacked. Assuming you're equally good at playing short and deep stacked and that you're a better player than average, the only difference between a big stack and a short stack is that with a big stack your +EV plays are more +EV.

For example, assume one bad player takes the rebuy immediately. Do you want to sit there and try to outplay him for half his stack? Or do you want to be able to outplay him for all his stack?

[Memphis Mojo]

I prefer freezeouts, but if I play rebuys, I always rebuy immediately. You're going to have to accumulate some chips, so start with the big stack. Don't use the rebuy as an insurance policy, but use it so when (after you play tight) you hit your hand and double up, it's worth it.