How do I keep focused to make it through large-field tournaments?

[Lousel]

I have been a poker player for many years but I still can not find the formula to win a good tournament of 5000 participants. The moment always comes when I lose focus and I throw away the tournament that advice can give me to continue advancing in my game and to win a great tournament

 

[MattJM68]

I recommend, as long as you can do it, maybe practise multitabling some cash games, playing multiple tournaments simultaneously to avoid boredom when you card dead and thus overpaying hands and costing yourself chances at succeeding. Also if you are losing focus you may be playing at too low stakes and therefore do not care enough, try to find a balance between good bankroll management whilst playing at a level that keeps you interested.

Good luck!

 

[eberetta1]

Well, in a 5000 player tournament you have a .0002 chance of winning, 1 in 5000. The best way to increase your chances of winning a 5000 player tournament is to play that tournament 5000 times.

 

[n3rv]

My tip would be to work out how long the tournament lasts for the winner. E.g. 3-4 hours.

Then plan to play Poker for 3-4 hours, reward yourself at every hour break. This is the key to long-game success. Think in terms of time as your goal, not prize money or individual hands.

 

[blanktheman]

Best advice i can give is take note of how many places get paid.
1. Also realize that it is actually possible to get into the money because many before you have done so.
2. Don't worry about number of players but how you playing.
3. When you very close to the money, try play a little tighter.

I used to worry about number of players in a tournament but what helps me is looking at the number after 10 minutes, you'll find so many people get kicked out quickly.

 

[Ranish625]

I usually try in between to get distracted by something else, because I really it is difficult to keep concentration on the game.

 

[dbchristy]

1 Netflix and chill
2 I play candy crush on my phone when Im playing too many hands I play neutral agressive

 

[DougPkrMonsta]

Staying focused is one thing... playing multiple tournaments at the same time used to help me, but if you are getting bored/tired and just going crazy randomly it is going to be difficult to be consistent.

I don't get bored anymore just because I find it interesting trying to figure out how my table is playing and the best way to counter them as discussed below.

As for making it through large fields... learn the strategies for playing different stack sizes as the tournament progresses.

As you start to get deep in a tournament and the average number of blinds gets lower, constantly track your number of BB's and the BB's in your opponent's stacks and think about how you and they should be approaching the current level and future levels.

Play A LOT of tournaments within your bankroll and practice doing this for several months. Start a thread and ask about any hands where you are unsure in the tournament forums to improve your play.

If you play enough you'll eventually get very far and potentially have some big scores if you play well and don't get discouraged by bad beats.

Good luck to you!

 

[Peppinotom]

if you get bored, just take a break, sit out and do something different.
A snack, a walk, a call, whatever. After the break try to find out what's goping on at the table, maybe it's interesing again. If not, depending on your stqack, watch a movie until you are taken to another table.:bandit:

 

[wildjoker68]

I can help you a bit with this. at the beginning play real tight, also never play out of position to the button without monster hands. don't chase the river on a draw hand, because most likely your chips will be down the river, try to steal the blinds or a pot 1 out of every 10-15 hands. play tighter than 2 midgets in a pair of fundies" lol..
Good Luck" and Happy Bank Rolling..

 

[seve13061984]

try to play Sng's ,it's the same concept of mtt but with smaller nr of players. It' s hard to win a mtt with many players and u must have luck to win one. try to mix up a little and play sng of 180 players turbo or regular at witch stakes do you feel comfortable and tournaments in the same time. There are lots of site who run those Sng's. have fun

 

[Fernando2904]

Always compare the BB with your hand. 20 x BB or more you are good. 10 x BB or less start being a problem.

If you just want to get some money it is ok to keep your play nice. But if you wanna try to be at the last table and with the bigger prizes you need to be a little bit aggressive sometimes, with attention and cautions. And knowing that sometimes the luck will be against you. (For me the hardest part is be aggressive at the right way.)

 

[CallmeFloppy]

Use the breaks. I will physically get up and away from the computer during those breaks. I hit the bathroom, grab a snack, a drink and think about something other than poker. Play a quick game on my phone. That pause from the game helps me to come back and be more mentally fresh.

 

[fernandoprrt]

A game.

 

[Amanda A]

I get very excited as the field gets smaller. I have to calm myself down, shake off the nerves and focus. I tell myself I'm doing well but it doesn't mean anything until you are in the money so FOCUS and then how much you win really matters too. I have different goals - make it in the money, then top 30, final table etc.

 

[Tommyc9494]

This this is all supper advice I to struggle with deep tournaments I make the bubble occasionally but I never get deep enough to win anything decent

 

[Pickat]

Try stepping away during breaks . Do something that will take your mind off the game . I know it's a short break but taking your mind off the game ,even for a short time , will allow you to come back to it and focus. Good luck

 

[Evtimiv]

I prefer to wait till 1/2 are gone . That's the time your self-esteem gets higher. And to calm down you can turn on some of your favorite songs till your cards come and with a little luck you can continue in the tournament .

 

[Mateo]

I find that distracting myself with something non poker related helps. I still am concentrated on the game, but can kind of autopilot through the first couple of hours until games get interesting on and after the bubble. This doesn't really work if you want to play multiple tourneys however

 

[radartodd69]

Some good music and multi tabling. That and take up needle point. (That last part was a joke)

 

[hugh blair]

Ask yourself would coach make this move I am about to make right about now
take some time on each decision really think.

https://youtu.be/yX39J_YyKbs

 

[karl coakley]

I think the best way to stay focused is to be fresh. The only way to do this is to take a break.

I see way too many players fixed on a game for hours only taking a 5 min break every hour. This really wears you down. I pick spots and take an extra 15-20 mins where I'm not even watching the screen. You will be surprised how little you miss, how little your chip stack moves. Until the antes and blinds start getting significant plan out a spot where you can just walk away. 5 mins before and after the break is usually a great spot. When I chip up I will sometimes take 10 mins before and after each break.

 

[mariale_1990]

I have also played for years and I have not found the formula to win a tournament of 5000 participants, it has happened to me that I lose in control, I always say that a point arrives that I do not know with which it is good to bet, I suppose I must see how the players play. pro or the people who have more experience and knowledge than me:driver:

 

[Miguel Chacon]

the best you can do to stay focus is don't pay atention to de number of players left or your position you're only playing with the ones in your table so FOCUS ON YOUR OPPONENTS On the TABLE whaever happens on the other tables the're literally nothing you can do about it ... also a good advice is prepare yourself for a long session 5 to 7 hours of poker ... you can practice with SAG to focus on your table and get used to play 1 or 2 hours first so you can last longer each time ...

hope this helps!

 

[BnaD]

I find that talking myself through each hand, even if it's an easy fold helps me to stay focused. I'm the type of person that has trouble sitting in a chair for man hours so I make sure to make the most out of the breaks in play. If I make a silly mistake sometimes I make myself to push-ups =]