Do you keep track of average stack?

[BetterNot]

i dont really car about the biggest stack in the tournamen, only the biggest stack at my table. I do look at the average stack so i know where im at compared to all the others.

 

[cracker]

Average stack size is just a curiosity. I've finished 1st in tourneys without ever having a larger than average stack size except for when you get to HU.

 

[Lheticus]

For some reason, I could swear that in a lot of events I've played, there've been periods where only about...I dunno, maybe 20%? of the players still in a tournament have had stacks above average. As for playing based on it, I'm not sure what the best way to do that would be.

 

[mariale_1990]

honestly I almost do not, I try to concentrate on the game and sometimes I say one step at a time

 

[NickNation]

i always kept track of average stack even before using tracking software... anyone notice that PT4 averages are sometimes different than the ones straight from the client?... ive been noticing some discrepancies lately

 

[Shrops]

Yes

I do check it throughout the tournament. I think it is a good gauge to see how you are doing. I don't think it is everything. I use my stack to number of big blinds also.

 

[Poker Orifice]

It's not written by Phil Hellmuth. I didn't read every letter in the book so I guess I didn't really read it no. Just the 95% that's important.

So you didn't read the cover? Or the foreword? (or table of contents). Just surprises me.. I have never heard of anyone reading a book & thinking it was written by someone else. I'm learning something every day.

 

[Poker Orifice]

bbennie1, the reason I'm wanting to show the difference is because the Kill Phil series (including 'Kill Everyone' & 'The Raisers Edge') is actually a good series of books. Phil Helmuth's books suck! (as in... really, really bad). And yes, I've read them (I think I might still even have a Helmuth book buried somewhere down in the basement)

 

[fadisn]

For sure, anyone must always check on that. its nice to know what shape you are in compared to the blinds, plus in many tournaments when you run of time, so it is always better to leave with high stack taking something than risking and leave just before the awards start line !

 

[UM3SH]

I always keep a track of average stack.

 

[AKQ]

no I do not keep track of average stack sizes
Theres no point as to me its just about how many BBs my stack is

 

[NWPatriot]

Interesting array of answers here.

I do think that stack in bb's is an important element to direct our play. This may tell us how we should play, which is important.

Average stack for me is important as it describes the level of urgency there is or isn't. For MTT's, I have created a goal for myself to get to a stack which is 6x-7x my starting stack. In a field where 15% are paid, this will be the average stack at the bubble (a 10% payout would require 10x stack). If I can have the average at the bubble then I am still able to play poker and am probably not limping across the bubble with just a handful of chip. Keeping up with the average stack then is a way to monitor if I am tracking to my goal or not.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Afsearcy]

My strategy

I’ll keep an eye on the stack sizes when I’m nearing the money and from that point on. However, I won’t allow myself to be rushed into play if my stack size is below the average. I’d rather not push my stack on blind hope because I’m below the average and I’m feel the pressure. There’s a lot of intimidation behind a well played small stack siz . I’m not sitting around just hoping for the right cards to come along but I am waiting for the right moment to play whatever my specific tournament situation is. The stack average isn’ the most important information when I decide how I’m going to adjust my play but it’s definitely useful data.

 

[RimworldDoctor]

I play almost exclusively with blind-converted values these days (which are available in the options). They provide a good framework of when I need to be shoving (sub 15 BB), when I can be tight/aggressive (16-50 BB), and when I can be super loose (50+BB).

Average stack size just puts extra pressure on for you to be consistently making chips when that's not really how poker works. You tend to win your money in chunks at a time.

 

[Bricxjo]

I was annoyed at first when I saw someone bumped a thread that was from 2 years ago; in general, please don't do that.

It's not a bad thread though.

It is interesting to see that my opinion has changed in the past 2 years and now I almost never check my stack to the average stack. It really doesn't matter during most of the tournament, the bigger tell of how you are doing is your stack compared to the blinds and you don't need to see the average stack for that. As far as comparison to other peoples stack; just look at your own table, those are the people that will be having an effect on your stack. The big stack 3 tables over can't do anything to your stack until they are moved to your table.

I guess I only check the average stack when I am registering late, but now I might just rethink that and check how many BB I will be coming into the game in my stack.

So after some consideration, I don't mind the bump of this really old thread (but please don't do that).

 

[No Bologna]

No Bologna

I check it occasionally as a bit of a gauge to let me know if I need to loosen up and play more hands. Mainly, I play my own game but don't want to have a small enough chip stack to be bullied.