MTT Strategy

I havn't posted much strategy lately but I've had a lot of success getting deep in MTT's the past few weeks so I'm feeling a little inspired tonight. Keep in mind that I'm going to post about how I would normally play in a multi beginning to end. That doesn't mean I play this way every time so don't go crazy and say you saw me do the opposite. I'm telling you right now I just may do the opposite at any moment but here is a solid strategy to get you going if you are struggling to money in these things.

Step 1: You first need to be honest and qualify yourself in to one of three categories. 1:Novice with not very strong post flop play 2:Intermediate with average post flop play 3: Advanced with good post flop skills

Category 1: This is what I would do early. Look for a chance to get your money in early with AA, KK, AKsuited. Don't slow play these hands. Play them strong when you get them and hope to get some action. Medium pairs are good to raise a 3 or 4 times the blind and try to get a good flop with. Be a little cautious if you get pressure or "played back at" after the flop, be wiling to get away from these hands if you didn't hit a set. Small pairs and suited connectors are good to see a flop with if you can get in with 3 or 4 players or in the blinds with no big raising going on pre-flop. If you hit 4 to the flush on the flop and you are in this category, I would go ahead and get my money in on the flop. If you hit a set, a good check raise can get you some action here. I would stick with this stategy until you get to the first break. At this point, you need to take a good look at your stack size and put yourself in one of three categories.
1: Big Stack Being a beginner I would stay tight and stick with your strategy. Take out a few of the riskier moves like shoving on a flush draw at this point. You're in great shape. No need to take this kind of gamble but I would still look for big action on your big hands. Stay away from the trouble hands: KQ , QJ. These hands will get you flops that you aren't ready for.
2: Medium average stack Same as above; you have plenty of chips and you're OK. A lot of beginners will feel the pressure of so many stacks bigger than yours. Don't worry, you still have plenty of time to hit some big hands and become a contender. Pay attention to the other players at your table. Try to pick out a big stack that is over-aggressive. Hopefully you will get a chance to isolate this player when you get a big hand and let them double you up.
3: Small stack or half the average stack or less: Look for a chance to get your money in there; good places are late position with AJ, AQ, AK, or any medium pocket pair. AA and KK are good from any position....just shove it in there....don't worry, the big stacks will double you...they can hardly resist.

Category 2: You've been playing no limit hold em for a while and know how to avoid some basic traps. Get in there and mix it up a little in the early going. Work on expanding your range of hands from late position. Identify some tight players and if the table isn't too aggressive get in there and pick off some blinds. This will get you a little more action on your big hands. Start setting some goals break to break and see what works best to get you to these chip counts. Pay close attention to the other players and don't try to get too fancy. Work on getting your draw cards cheaply while giving yourself the chance to pick up a few pots even when you don't have the mortal nutz.
Try to work your average chip stack up until you are sliding in to the money fairly regularly. You will probably find your stack being lower than the average when you get to the money. Work on ways to loosen up your game a little without getting too crazy. Work hard on figuring out what other players have. Learn to have fun and not let the bad beats tilt you.


Category 3: Here we go folks. The real deal. You've progressed through the ranks of Categories 1 and 2 and have a lot of experience on your side. I'm going to assume you can stay tight and get to the money fairly often and sometimes when the cards are hitting you in the head you get pretty deep. How do you handle the final stages when you get to the border of the big money? I'm assuming you're not playing for 30th so lets break this down in to a few categories here and get to the meat: Category 1: Big Stack Category 2: Average Stack Category 3: Small stack

Category 1: Be careful not to get winner's tilt. It's easy to donk off big chunks of chips with less than premium hands. Stay smart and use your weight to pick off some big blinds pre-flop and stay loose enough to get action when you do have a big hand. Don't show any hands if you can help it. The re-raise against the medium stacks works well here.

Category 2: Remember the money is at the final table. The difference between 30th and 11th is probably not that much so look for big opportunities to use your favorite moves and get a few big pots. Stay focused and try to get your chips in ahead. You can probably pick out a big stack or two that will double you up if you are patient and play your cards right.


Category 3: Get em in there before the blinds eat you up. You can't sit there all night...hehe.

Good luck everyone. I know these are some very broad pointers as they are intended to be. If any of you have any specific questions or are struggling with a particular thing about your MTT game, I have probably been through that struggle myself and would gladly try to help you work through it. Let me know.........surf