multi table events - low stack syndrome

[RayPowers 0]

This sounds really generic so I don't know if there's really any good advice to give, but I'd like to hear it.I seem to be able to make it very deep into No Limit, low buy in tournaments, getting to final table more often than not, but I always, without exception, sit down at the final table short stacked. It very much seems like I'm good at accumulating chips early, but then I start to drain them back off again mid to late event. I appear to play fine short stacked at the final table, and have good results, but I'd really like just once to walk into the final table not having to worry about when my best shot to double up is so I can get back in the game.Any thoughts?Ray

[HoosierAlum 0]

This was a vague post, so I will give a vague answer: Gamble more during the late stages. The chip leaders of tournaments have to gamble to accumulate chips. Don't be afraid to flip coins. You have to get lucky in tournaments.

[RayPowers 0]

This was a vague post, so I will give a vague answer: Gamble more during the late stages. The chip leaders of tournaments have to gamble to accumulate chips. Don't be afraid to flip coins. You have to get lucky in tournaments.

Yeah it's really vague, but its not like every event is the same so its hard to give specifics. Is it really just willingness to go in for more coin flips though? I'm wondering if there is just more of Doyle's "ebb and flow of a tournament" that I am not adapting to or something.Ray

[Atlanta Fats 0]

This was a vague post, so I will give a vague answer: Gamble more during the late stages. The chip leaders of tournaments have to gamble to accumulate chips. Don't be afraid to flip coins. You have to get lucky in tournaments.

I disagree. If he's consistently final tabling, why switch it up?sooner or later, if he keeps making FTs, he'll find a few big hands, and take one down. I'd rather flip one, as a short stack at the FT, Then as mediem stack with 20 tables left.

[blakheart 3]

One possible thought.Low buy in tournaments are filled with many poor players. In the begining a solid player will begin to build a nice stack by playing consistently well. When you get to later stages in these tournaments, only good players are usually left. If you don't vary your play, they will figure you out and start to eat into your stack.Are you adjusting your play at all as the tournament goes deeper?

[GrinderMJ 0]

Just play well early, let all the fish basically give you their money with their atrocious plays, and then when the blinds get big and the antes come in, don't be afraid to try to steal blinds and antes when you have good position. Eventually they get so big, that it's vital that you put in raises to help you accumulate. When I get late in a tourney, unless i have a monster, I pretty much only play small pots, just trying to pick my spots, and slowly accumulate. If you can manage to take a few pots here and there when the blinds are large, you should be able to final table with a decent sized stack.

[lboarts 0]

I have the same problem as the OP, I wind up at alot of final tables as one of the low stacks.Oh, wait, this isn't a problem....nevermind....Seriously, though, don't worry about being the low stack at the final table, when you're there so often. Most of those large stacks your facing don't final table half as much as you do, and most of them aren't making 1/2 the money you are at MTTs. It sounds like you and I have the same basic style. My main goal when an MTT starts is to get to the final table, then its game on. If your short stack game is sound, then this shouldn't bother you at all. One drawback to our dilemma is that we must catch a good hand and double up early, or steal alot of blinds quickly early on to go deep at the ft. Stealing just one set of blinds from LP means you bought yourself another 9/10 hands to find that monster you can double up with, assuming the blinds don't increase during this period. ALWAYS watch the time left in the level when you're in this situation. It could determine whether you should all in with Ax or fold it.

[KC in KC 0]

I had the same problem for a long time. I wanted to make the money so bad I'd play very tight to do so. I read Mike Sexton's Shuffle up and Deal and it turned a light on. Tight players do not win tournaments. You have to gamble to win and accumulate chips so you are in decent position when you get to the final table. Good Luck.