Large Stack Dwindles After Break

[raykdogs]

I am a pretty tight player. I enjoy watching the players fade in an MTT. I sometimes find myself lucky enough to be large stacked, but after the halftime break, my large stack slowly dwindles until I have less than a single BB left. Do I need to call those stupid pre-flop shoves more often? Should I be more aggressive after the break? Does it pay to shove pre-flop, which I really hate doing (unless I have AA, or AKs).

 

[MAFNL16061986]

just sit out after break when got big stack and start playing when got in the itm

 

[Noodeloo]

Sounds like you need to learn some preflop shoving range charts because you should be getting all in hoping for a double up before blinding out unless you are in the situation that calls for it such as being severely short stacked on the bubble. Realise that people will call you with worse hands a lot more than you think and that shoving to realise your equity is an exploit you need to understand as a short stack. Sub 10 big blinds on the button and its folded to you. what is the bottom of your range to shove all in ? I would be shoving as low as T9 and possibly even 98 suited + any pair or broadway - loosen up a bit and learn how to build your stack in the early parts of the tourney - take calculated risks against the fish on your table and dont be afraid of the people who blast at you - often they are giving you chips if you choose not to fold. Good luck at the tables finding the winning play for you.

 

[puzzlefish]

What's this half time break you are talking about OP? Sounds like maybe you are trying to make your game as long as possible without taking risks. Not going to work out unless you get lucky.

The game is not over until the final table and heads up for 1st and 2nd is done. Unless you are playing a satellite game, your big stack means nothing until there are no other players remaining.

 

[Claudiunm]

If you've built a large stack, what you should do is defend that stack. Don't get involved in marginal hands, but when you have a decent hand, don't be afraid to call it. Just be aware of your position and play accordingly. If you're playing too tight, other players will read that and pressure you to fold. So playing tight all the time isn't a good option.

 

[Roller]

That’s a really thoughtful question — and a situation most tournament players have faced at some point. What you’re describing is super common for tight, risk-averse players who build a stack early but bleed chips later when blinds and antes climb.

 

[SpanRmonka]

You should def be shoving way more often than only with AKs+

I don't mean to sound harsh, but if thats what you are doing, then its terrible terrible play!

Especially with a big stack you need to be taking advantage of the other players, who don't want to bust, putting pressure on them and hopefully building your stack even more

 

[machinm19]

I know exactly what the OP means I’ve done this a lot too. There is nothing wrong with being tight but you also have to have guts and defend blinds or shove your button open with trash sometimes. Obviously their will be times when your 98 runs into the big blinds aces but that’s poker the maths is in your favour.

 

[martDdart]

Never let your stack become less than five small+bigblind is my advice.If you have 5 sb+bb in your stack there is only two options fold or allin.

 

[Kasztor007]

That’s actually a spot I can really relate to as well. I play mostly micro stakes and tend to be pretty tight too, and sometimes I realise I’m just waiting for premium hands while my stack slowly melts after the break. I do try to steal blinds on the bubble sometimes when I’m surrounded by tight players — those spots can be great for picking up chips. Reading through all your comments, I think I’ll start experimenting with widening my shove range a bit and defending my blinds more actively. It’s tough to find the right balance between patience and aggression, but that’s exactly the part of MTTs I want to improve at. Thanks everyone for the great insights!

 

[eetenor]

I am a pretty tight player. I enjoy watching the players fade in an MTT. I sometimes find myself lucky enough to be large stacked, but after the halftime break, my large stack slowly dwindles until I have less than a single BB left. Do I need to call those stupid pre-flop shoves more often? Should I be more aggressive after the break? Does it pay to shove pre-flop, which I really hate doing (unless I have AA, or AKs).

It sounds like you are not playing situational poker --you are just playing hands as dealt to you. Situational poker means finding spots to win pots that you do not showdown. Without having the best hand.

Get GTOWIAZRD for free and start studying preflop 3 bet spots bottom of range to get an idea of how to steal pots. You get 1 full hand -postflop- everyday so tag your hands and use the solver to look at potential alternate strategies.