Explanation: Let's face it, people like money! They like
winning too, but they really like money. When the bubble approaches,
there are two types of players:
1. "The Winner," who wants to well
… win. Duh. He's not content with finishing fourth and making some
money. He wants the title.
2. "The Hoper" or "Fish who never made
it this far before and is really nervous about cashing," is the type of
player just happy to make the money. This player is just happy to be
going home with a little more than he started with.
Which type of
player are you? Will you fold down A-Q on the button since there are
only two players left before cashing and both the blinds have bigger
stacks than you or do you push the hand hard, forcing the bigger stacks to make a big decision?
OK, let's look at what to do from the bubble with three different-sized stacks.
The short stack:
You have the biggest bull's-eye on your forehead than anyone has ever
seen. Everyone wants to knock you out, and you need to decide when the
chips are going into the middle, not vice versa. Find a hand that you
can push with when you're in position, but don't wait too long or else
the following may happen:
If you are truly hanging by a thread and
pushing your chips into the middle makes your opponents laugh more than
worry, you've got to pick your best hand in any position and go with
it. Got an ace? It might be time to kiss that chip stack equivalent to
the small blind good-bye. You will get multiple callers and hopefully
do more than double up.
As the shortest stack in the tournament,
you really can't take advantage by stealing blinds. Everyone is hoping
you get knocked out next and will probably call you with weaker hands.
Hopefully they do. For that reason you may be able to double up and
bring yourself back to an average stack.
The average stack:
The bubble is where you can take an average stack and make it an
above-average stack. If you are at the bubble, chances are the blinds
are high and stealing them will help you pad your chip count a great
deal.
Start playing more position and stealing pots when you can.
Remember that the short stacks are clinging to dear life, so you need
to make sure that when you put a raise into a short stack, you must be
willing to call the rest of the short stack's chips if he pushes and, of
course, if the math is right.
Although you are targeting other
players who have fewer chips than you, the bigger stacks will be
targeting you. Make sure you tread with caution in any hand you get
involved with, because it could be your last.
The big stack:
Nobody wants to mess with you. Sure, the short stacks are hoping you
make a big mistake and push when you shouldn't, but everyone at the
table knows that getting involved in a pot with you could mean the end
of their tournament lives.
By being the big stack, here's your
chance to greatly increase your chip count. Learn the word "raise" and
keep using it until someone puts up a fight. You'll be the table
captain, in control of all the action.
Steal from everyone at the
table, but mostly the players with the average stacks. By targeting
them, you won't get yourself into trouble where you could double up a
player who is very short stacked.
Make the right moves here and you'll be on your way to the final table.
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