[King of the Farm]

Hey Folks,

I'm looking for some insight on strategy from you guys.

I have to play in a 7 man mini tourney in a couple weeks. The top five finishers will earn positions in a monthly home game tourney.

The guy who runs these at his house usually has 40 people but he's decided to trim the tourney down to 20 people this year. Everyone who won a tourney last year gets an auto bid and then the top point leaders with no wins were supposed to be added to make 20 total. Well, he changed the rules and only took the top 3 point finishers and himself as non winners. He's taking the next 7 people in points (from last year) and having them play. The top 5 will round out the group of 20... which sucks for me since I WAS in.

So I've already "voiced my concerns" (ok, I complained) about the change but I figure it's his house and his rules so oh well.

I figure with 5 of 7 earning a spot it will be a blind off-fest until two are eliminated. I consider myself to be a better player than 5 of the other 6 players but I want to play solid to make sure I finish in the top 5.

I should mention that I have a well known (& completely justified) reputation in the group as being extremely loose and aggressive... and sometimes impatient (I refuse to let myself get down to being blinded off, Less than 10BB's). To be honest, my style is much better suited for cash games and not tourneys... I don't consider myself a tourney player... I'm a cash guy.

What strategy would you recommend?

Aggressive to collect chips early? Throughout?
Conservative & to only get involved when I know I'm best? Thinking I might get paid off? or not?
Something else that I have not yet considered?

Thanks kids!

[King of the Farm]

Bueller... Bueller?

Anyone?

[A-Ro]

If you have the stigma of loose-aggressive and you persive this to be a blind off until 2 are knocked out, I'd suggest switching to tight-aggressive for this particular tourney.

People will think your trying to steal when you actually have a hand.

[jmc]

I'd say starting out with a tight/agg strategy would be good for your mini tournament. You'll get plenty of action on your good hands given your previous loose play. If you notice that your opponents are playing tighter than usual, you can revert back to your loose/agg style, but I would suggest making "small ball" moves -- be aware that your opponents may be playing very conservatively and calling to trap you with medium/big hands.

[WolfPack]

I would call for tight/agressive to start aso. If they think you are loose and call you down a few times to see big hands they will start to shy away and you can loosin up a bit.

[jojobinks]

the goal is to not be the first or second out. you should be able to do so by folding for an hour, probably.

if the table is supertight, then you can start stealing when necessary. but i see no reason in the world to do much more than maintain your starting stack, unless the blinds get out of control or you're playing with 6 tighta$$es.

if the former is true, then you should play tag. let others have confrontations, and stay out when you can rationalize it. don't speculate with suited connectors, don't call raises with hands that "could" bust someone, et cetera. don't play scared when the blinds get big, and train your BB to fold when you come in.

if the latter is true, then steal what you can, which should be plenty.