can't loosen up my game.

i always play ultra tight in the first hour of a MTT, i never deviate from that. after the first hour is up and most of the fish are gone, i can't seem to loosen up my game a bit. i think it's hurting my game. i used to play a bit looser and have had luck with it but now i can't seem to get back there. any suggestions would be great. thanks.

I've had the same problem in the past; I find myself playing WAY too tight in rebuys or other tourneys.

One thing I tried that worked well was playing a cash game for limits way below my regular level, and just playing like a maniac. Well a controlled maniac I mean. Try going Texas Dolly on the table and just try to dominate and raise a whole lot. You'll find it much easier to loosen up in tourneys when you go back.

i'll have to try that, thanks chuck.

anybody else have any suggestions, i'm open to anything at this point.

Maybe try out some low value sit and goes as well, that way you will be able to control whatever you spend, and try out different positions, Button steal etc.

Good luck

Study and gain experience playing. Realise when you need to loosen up. If you can identify situations where it is optimal for you to play loosely, and identify why the situation is one in which playing loosely is ideal, you've won a large portion of the battle. In some situations, it can be correct to play tightly throughout. In other situations, it is absolutely horrible and you should be loosening up somewhere along the line.

thanks guys, i knew i could count on you for some sound advice. i'll let you know how it goes.

I also find it tough to loosen up, probably because i havent been playing very long but i think Dorkus sums it up nicley thanks! Will put it tothe test!

me too!

beardyian said:

Maybe try out some low value sit and goes

Click to expand...

This is great advice. In a SNG, as the blinds rise and the number of players falls, you`re pretty much compelled to be constantly adjusting your game to the changing situation.

If you can reach the stage where you have a consistently positive ROI in SNGs, changing gear in MTTs should seem relatively simple.

As a starting point, try this article:

https://www.cardschat.com/low-stakes-sit-n-go-tournament-strategy.php

that's good stuff egon, thanks for posting the article.

i always play ultra tight in the first hour of a MTT, i never deviate from that. after the first hour is up and most of the fish are gone

Click to expand...

i think this thinking is flawed. you want to play pots with these fish before they bust. someone is going to get their chips, you should try as hard as you can to make sure its you

i agree with dingodaddy, of course MTT should be played tight but in the first hour of alot of these MTT's are when maybe playing a little looser will pay off...then tighten up after all the donkys are gone. Like dingo said someone is gonna get the money so it might as well be you...esp if you are a player who knows when to fold, then you probably dont need to worry about losing to much of your chips early when the pots arent huge anyway.

i make it into the money often but i have NEVER placed lower than 8th so i have alot of learning to do to my man but i can tell you i started having more success when i reversed my thinking about playing ultra tight in the first hour and loosening up a bit in the later rounds.

Also concider that if you are able to gain a few small victories early on when the conpetition is weaker you will have more ammunition when the competition is stronger.