On the final table each player busting will give everyone else a payjump, and for that reason ICM becomes a factor, like it is on the bubble. When ICM is a factor (there is risk aversion), big stacks can open up their game and put pressure on mid stacks in particular. Mid stacks on the other hand need to tighten up especially against big stacks but also other mid stacks. Big stacks need to avoid huge confrontations against other big stacks, since it would be a disaster for them to bust or lose most of their chips, when they could have folded their way to several payjumps.
Short stacks should play relatively normal but call off a bit tighter, especially if there are also other short stacks. Like you have 11BB, but two other players are sitting with 12BB and 14BB, then there is value in trying to outlast these two players. But if you have 11BB, and the second shortest stack is 29BB, then you are kind of selected to bust next anyway, and you should play almost like, it was a cash game (chip EV).
Short stacks should play relatively normal but call off a bit tighter, especially if there are also other short stacks. Like you have 11BB, but two other players are sitting with 12BB and 14BB, then there is value in trying to outlast these two players. But if you have 11BB, and the second shortest stack is 29BB, then you are kind of selected to bust next anyway, and you should play almost like, it was a cash game (chip EV).
In general as our stack shortens, we gradually lose our safety net against bad beats and suckouts, so get more selective with our spots, so our ranges don't change too much other than we will work in more folds from the bottom of these ranges. Until then we get to say 15bb where icm kicks in and desperation start widening our all-in range again, especially under 10bb.
I think you should play a little more careful near the final table, but not too tight. Pay attention to the stack sizes and the players around you. If you have a big stack, you can put pressure on others. If you are short, wait for a good spot and dont take too many risks.winner3699 said:
there isn't enough info in the 1st posted question to even begin to formulate an answer . you'd need to consider stack sizes and positions , blind levels and the timing of increases ,possible pay jumps and amounts , the skill level of you and your opponents, etc etc
This is too general a question to answer in detail, but in basic terms, the medium stacks should be extremely tight against the bigger stacks because of the ICM pressure that comes from having smaller stacks at the table.
If you really want to study this, I would recommend Gareth James' book "The Final Table". It's quite theory dense, so if you don't already have a reason understanding of game theory, it might be quite hard to digest, but it's still a great book.
If you really want to study this, I would recommend Gareth James' book "The Final Table". It's quite theory dense, so if you don't already have a reason understanding of game theory, it might be quite hard to digest, but it's still a great book.
It really depends a lot of the number of players that have started the tournament. If its a smaller tournament with say 7 payouts, then making the FT and 9th spot, is not really worth anything, apart from personal achievement. Here, you should be aggressive against players who look like they are trying to make the FT.
Similarly, when its a larger field, you may already be in the money, maybe the payout structure is paying 10-12th 13-16 etcso actually its not so much about just getting nearer, the payjump bubbles are last 17, last 13, then 10th for the FT, you should adjust a little bit to each of these situations. You can take more risks when you hit 16th, as ICM is now lower, due to no payjump until 12th
Similarly, when its a larger field, you may already be in the money, maybe the payout structure is paying 10-12th 13-16 etcso actually its not so much about just getting nearer, the payjump bubbles are last 17, last 13, then 10th for the FT, you should adjust a little bit to each of these situations. You can take more risks when you hit 16th, as ICM is now lower, due to no payjump until 12th