Tourney Strategy With Three Players Remaining

dedmony · Tweet this Post! #1 02-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Hello,

I've started playing one-table NLHE home games with a group of local players. About half of the players are stronger than I am. While I'm enjoying the challenge of playing with this group, I've noticed that my comfort level at the table when there are three players remaining is much lower than with any other number.

In our last tournament, once we were down to three players I realized I didn't have a good strategy to handle the table dynamics. To elaborate, the big stack and strongest player was to my left. The big stack was playing very aggressively while the short stack began to play super tight, apparently hoping that the big stack and I would battle it out and the short stack could back into second place. The short stack almost always folded the button leaving me with SB vs. BB decisions against the aggressive big stack player.

I initially got into several confrontations with the big-stack player and realized I was likely to bust out in third if I didn't back off and wait for chances to pick off the small stack.

The game then slowed to a crawl as I started to dump my SB to the big stack, unless dealt a strong starting hand, while trying to go after the small stack's BB when I had the button.

I've read numerous books on poker strategy, but don't recall anything in particular for three-handed play. Should I have continued with an aggressive / mixed strategy leading to confrontations against the big stack and strongest player? Are there any particular tips or guidance for three-handed play? I haven't felt this level of doubt and discomfort with four people or more at the table and very much enjoy HU play, but three-handed play left me in the dark.

I apologize if this is a silly nooby question, but I would appreciate any insights into the "mysteries" of three-handed play you could provide.

mipevi · Tweet this Post! #2 02-14-2009, 03:17 PM

The payout structure is important for your strategy, 3-handed or not. If you know ICM, apply it (if you don't, learn it) and you should do fine.

whataboutj · Tweet this Post! #3 02-14-2009, 03:18 PM

It would be helpful to know the chip stacks. If you had enough chips to make a dent in the BB chips then all in when you are the SB is a good strategy to put him on a decision. I wouldn't do that every time but often enough that it makes him think.

Does the payout only go 2 spots?

dedmony · Tweet this Post! #4 02-14-2009, 03:28 PM

The payout structure was 50 - 30 - 20, so all three of us were in the money. I'm not sure why the small stack went into a shell at that point.

The small stack hovered around 10 - 15 BB's. I had about 25 BB's and the big stack had about 60 BB's.

I recall in prior matches I was also the least comfortable with three-handed play. I'm wondering if there are particular tips for three-handed or if I should play the same way I would with four players. Maybe it's just my imagination, but three-handed seems awkward to me and very different from playing with 4 or HU.

mipevi · Tweet this Post! #5 02-14-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedmony

The payout structure was 50 - 30 - 20, so all three of us were in the money. I'm not sure why the small stack went into a shell at that point.

The small stack hovered around 10 - 15 BB's. I had about 25 BB's and the big stack had about 60 BB's.

Challenge the big stack for the win since you have 20 in your pocket already and the shortie wants to blind out. Open up your game and kick a$$.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedmony

I recall in prior matches I was also the least comfortable with three-handed play. I'm wondering if there are particular tips for three-handed or if I should play the same way I would with four players. Maybe it's just my imagination, but three-handed seems awkward to me and very different from playing with 4 or HU.

I'm not sure why it's awkward for you. Compared to 4-handed I think you just need to open up your game a little and play more from the blinds.

whataboutj · Tweet this Post! #6 02-14-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mipevi

I think you just need to open up your game a little and play more from the blinds.

Agreed. Just keep in mind that in 3 handed or HU play you need to open up your range a lot. in reality an two cards are playable (almost). This is where hyper aggression works well. Worst case you bust out with mony in your pocket

dedmony · Tweet this Post! #7 02-14-2009, 04:05 PM

Thank you for the comments! I think I focused too much on eliminating the small stack before going after the big stack. I'm not sure why three-handed play feels so different and awkward to me. Perhaps I just need more experience.

I hadn't considered the ICM aspect and will definitely focus on this next time. I'll also pick up a good SNG book since my other poker books are MTT.

Reading your comments made me realize I was giving the big stack way too much respect which caused me to tighten up at exactly the wrong time.

Not that it matters to my initial post, but I ended losing to the big stack in HU. Afterwards, he said my play changed completely once the third player was finally eliminated and that I became much more aggressive and tricky.

Thanks for the insights as I now feel better prepared when I next get into this situation.

Cheers,
Steve

unvmyset · Tweet this Post! #8 02-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Would have to agree, if you're in the money anyway, put the pressure on the big stack and go for the win! With 25 BB to his 60 BB, he still has to respect your stack, because if you double through him that puts you in the chip lead. I have to tell myself this often (my natural tendency is to tighten up as well), but someone's going to be worried, and it might as well be him