dreamer13
Legend
Loyaler
Note that the later the stage, the closer you are to the prize zone or are already in it. Therefore, as they approach the prizes or when they are distributed, many opponents will change the strategy of the game in order to get to the win or take a higher place. It is necessary to observe the behavior of opponents in order to distinguish between those who are willing to take risks and get what they have, and those who play too carefully to advance further.
takinitSLEAZEE
Legend
Bronze Level
Playing looser in the early stages/limits of a trny is the norm since everyone is, usually, playing hundreds of bb's. This is really the time to try and mass a small army of chips to be able to bully and defend in the bigger limits where only stronger hands are more likely to be played more often. Once the blinds go up to around 500/1000 the action will often tighten up since some of the smaller stacks are looking to shove all-in. This is where the bigger stacks will often call a big pf raise w/89std or something similar, like in the early limits.
aquilex2799
Rock Star
Bronze Level
The strategy changes during the tournament because the tournament demands it. It's not a choice. Blind levels, amount of chips and proximity of prizes change the dynamics of the game. I would tell you not to swim with the fish, I mean, playing loose at the beginning and tight at the end makes your game predictable and exploitable.
Igor G
Legend
Loyaler
I'm lazy and usually never want to change anything. I play as usual, relying on my skills, experience and, of course, luck. But sometimes at the final table I can slightly change the style of my game, and these changes will primarily depend on the situation and on my opponents.
GNuTTz
Visionary
Bronze Level
Depending on weather its a freeroll tournament or if you are financially invested (paid) makes a difference. Lots of people jam frequently early on in freerolls. Not so much when your bankroll is involved. As soon as you are ‘in the money’ some players lose up a bit. I play aggressively all the time 🥳
rvnhss
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Hello there
It makes sense to play looser early on when the blinds are low and the stacks are relatively big. Play more speculative hands when the "cost" is low. Then play tighter near the end when a mediocre hand can cost you most of your stack.
It also pays to play aggressively near the bubble as a lot of players will fold strongish hands just to get in the money.
Another time to up aggression (if you make it this far) is the final two tables. This is a rare time in the tournament when the tables will have fewer players than usual so your good hands have higher equity. It's also a nice time to build your stack moving toward the final table.
It makes sense to play looser early on when the blinds are low and the stacks are relatively big. Play more speculative hands when the "cost" is low. Then play tighter near the end when a mediocre hand can cost you most of your stack.
It also pays to play aggressively near the bubble as a lot of players will fold strongish hands just to get in the money.
Another time to up aggression (if you make it this far) is the final two tables. This is a rare time in the tournament when the tables will have fewer players than usual so your good hands have higher equity. It's also a nice time to build your stack moving toward the final table.
Luvepoker
Lost in the twilight zone
Community Guide
My strategy depends on many factors and can change often during a tournament. Some of it is the hands I am dealt where most of the time it depends on the table, the action before me and players left to act. I can play like a NIT if that's what is best that moment and a maniac when its proper.
mattiebumpo
Legend
Loyaler
Definitely have to change strategy based on chip stack size, blind levels, other players at your table, your position at the table vs better or worse players in the blinds...so many factors to consider. That is what makes poker so interesting!
R.Holynskyi
Visionary
Platinum Level
Most players in the early stages of the tournament play more aggressively, because the blinds are small and the stack is relatively large. But already at the later stages of the tournament, basically everyone plays tightly and does not take risks without reason. And this is a completely reasonable approach.
H
hardfloor
Rock Star
Bronze Level
I adapt to the stages of the tournament and to the field, this aggregation at the beginning is due to the large stacks, the people do not have much patience, for example in freerolls or micro tournaments, the people spew too much, making bad decisions.
phases: EGame, Mgame, bubble, Fgame: I play plus the value of my hand at the beginning as a hand that makes sequences two pairs, three of a kind and hand shows preflop allin vs 2 opponents at most.
As the tournament progresses the strategy changes with stealing blinds and cebets more often that will check more.
in the end I say the line of the phases of the tournaments.
phases: EGame, Mgame, bubble, Fgame: I play plus the value of my hand at the beginning as a hand that makes sequences two pairs, three of a kind and hand shows preflop allin vs 2 opponents at most.
As the tournament progresses the strategy changes with stealing blinds and cebets more often that will check more.
in the end I say the line of the phases of the tournaments.
F
fundiver199
Legend
Loyaler
Yes you need to change your strategy thoughout a tournament to adjust for changing stack sizes and ICM. In the early phase of a tournament, ICM is still not important, so you basically play the same way, you play in a cash game. Your only focus is winning chips, and if risk taking result in you busting, then you just reenter or play another tournament. Just like you reload in a cash game, when you get felted. But as the bubble get closer, you need to start making adjustments. Both to make it into the money yourself and to take advantage of other players, who become risk averse, because they want to make it into the money. At the same time blinds also go up, and the strategy for playing a 20BB stack is different from the strategy for playing a 50BB stack or a 100BB stack.
iwont20
Legend
Loyaler
It's usually the exact opposite and is supposed to be this way - tight in early stage and the late stage is the loosest stage.
Of course, there are cases and players who sit tight or nit through the late stage too and just wait for a good hand - double up and sit against as a nit. They even can win a tournament or a few. But they won't reach a lot of final tables this way, they will bust a lot in top 30-50-100, because this style of play will be relying way too much on luck. To win even 70vs30 all-in preflop luck is also needed, as well as how often you receive premium hands.
Of course, there are cases and players who sit tight or nit through the late stage too and just wait for a good hand - double up and sit against as a nit. They even can win a tournament or a few. But they won't reach a lot of final tables this way, they will bust a lot in top 30-50-100, because this style of play will be relying way too much on luck. To win even 70vs30 all-in preflop luck is also needed, as well as how often you receive premium hands.
M
Macaroon
Rock Star
Silver Level
Certainly I change strategy - as players fall out and the blinds go up each hand becomes more valuable than when the table is full. The ultimate example is when it's heads-up. Then a hand like Q8 becomes much more bettable than it would be on a full table at the start of a tourney. So I USUALLY become more aggressive as the tourney goes on.
