Playing the bubble doesn’t make me nervous. In fact, it’s exciting. Most players, not everyone but most, have the tendency to tighten up on the bubble. I like to use that to my advantage to build up my stack. If I bubble, which also happens then it’s on to the next one. No risk= no reward
For novice players, the bubble becomes a real tragedy. If they don't get into the money, they go home with nothing, but sometimes everything happens much worse: they always tell their friends that they don't understand anything about poker, and in general are losers and losers. For pros, the bubble is usually the time when they can best perform and lay the groundwork for winning the tournament. If you think that winning a tournament is determined only by playing at the final table, then you are wrong. Of course, you have to play really well to win the tournament, but very often the beginning of the victory is reflected in the bubble stage.Doblador bus said:
The first rule is to find a balance between calmness and lack of fear. Easy to say but difficult to do. But this is the key to surviving the bubble. To understand this a little better, you need to grasp the following idea: getting into money should NEVER be your only goal. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to get into ITM in situations where it is possible - this is crazy. I'm talking about the fact that on the bubble you have to set yourself up to win the tournament. If you just aim to hit the money, then too often you will hit the minimum ITM. This sounds good, but ultimately has a negative effect on the overall profit.
When the bubble bursts, you have even fewer chips, but the competition for higher-paying seats will be higher. I have to say that most people understand this concept, but here's the problem: those players who think they are not afraid of the bubble still do not play it properly due to fear of leaving the tournament with nothing. This is a clear emotional reaction to the game. We don't want to feel like a loser. Nobody wants to tell their friends that he won nothing. So this reaction is quite reasonable, and the bubble can cause such a reaction.
The goal of the tournament is to win, not simply to cash. The bubble is the best time to step up the aggression and build a big enough stack to win the whole tournament. I usually don't pay much attention to trying to advance spots until I reach the final table when the money goes up quickly as the final table players drop out.
This post was excellent for me to read. I have gotten nervous around the bubble but so many comment above remind me of the true purpose “to win” not try to get the minimum cash. Keep my eye on the prize and take advantage in this stretch of the game. Thank you for all the wealth of knowledge, that’s what Cards Chat is all about 🙂.
I try to get as high as possible in a tournament. As mentioned earlier in this thread, you have to be aggressive just before the bubble. Many players fold during this period with only one goal, to hit the bubble. In the meantime you can supplement your stack nicely.
why be nervous at all..??
if i am very short stacked at the bubble...less than 15 bbs...i am just looking at all in / fold.
other than that i try to exploit the fears/ nervousness of other players at the bubble...esp if i have 500Bbs +.
the bubble is an illusion...a min cash is a fart in the wind...meaningless...unless it's in a big tourney that one won a ticket to in a satty for example, where a min cash would represent a big boost to one's roll.
or if it is a freeroll..and one is broke, and even a min cash for a dollar would represent a big win...and there is no shame in that..no no.
if i am very short stacked at the bubble...less than 15 bbs...i am just looking at all in / fold.
other than that i try to exploit the fears/ nervousness of other players at the bubble...esp if i have 500Bbs +.
the bubble is an illusion...a min cash is a fart in the wind...meaningless...unless it's in a big tourney that one won a ticket to in a satty for example, where a min cash would represent a big boost to one's roll.
or if it is a freeroll..and one is broke, and even a min cash for a dollar would represent a big win...and there is no shame in that..no no.
There really is no reason to be nervous, you play your cards and take your chances, if you start to get nervous and players pick up on the fact, they will punish you by raising and re-raising every chance they get.
I have often taken advantage of players not wanting to go out before the bubble, raising some times with complete air, knowing they will fold to any bet, unless they had a monster hand.
That's Poker!
When the fun Stops, STOP!
I have often taken advantage of players not wanting to go out before the bubble, raising some times with complete air, knowing they will fold to any bet, unless they had a monster hand.
That's Poker!
When the fun Stops, STOP!
In a normal, slow speed tourney, under 10 BB, plenty things, push allin, get called, and relegate with preflop 85-15% to me. No cards coming at all, and I must go 1 more time allin to reach ITM. The stealer machines, if they do not have stack or anything else reasonable, so I must fold cards, mostly because the situation in the tourney, nothing else. the first, does not matter how, but relegate in the top3 non-paid position... (fortunately, happens very rarely...)