Burst the Bubble

[cdubs03]

I really like PokerJonny's response. I couldn't agree more. It depends on who you're playing with in my mind. BUT...I think overall to have good success in MTT's or SNG's, you have to play to win the whole time. If you play to last, thats all you do and your profit won't be as great.

[wixx]

I play top ten hands all in still, but I fold a lot more on the bubble I think. No chasing when the cash is close...usually

[NoWuckingFurries]

So you know something that Sklansky doesn't, clearly.

[Poker Orifice]

Umm.. which Sklansky book are you reading?

I totally agree with poster just above here. If you're playing MTT's the bubble is the time to consider widening your range if anything... not tightening up to just make it ITM (unless you're table is doing the same,.. then obviously you need to tighten up).

Earlier in my online poker experience there would be MTTs I was playing that I had satellited into and at that time it was of utmost importance to just get ITM and then worry about moving up the money ladder. I'm sure I missed many oppurtunities back then for running deeper in the tourneys than I did. Oddly enough though, for awhile there I did run ITM at 40%, lol... go figure.

Object is to not let your stack become depleted so that you will still have fold equity. If you're picking up monsters on the bubble, this is the PERFECT time to be making re-steals.... they won't even be 're-steals' cuz you've actually got the goods. It doesn't get any better than that!!!! Also, after doing so multiple times, your 'supposed' resteal is going to look exactly like a 're-steal' and you might even get called. All the better. This is giving you an awesome oppurtunity to double up your stack as you go I.T.M and then will greatly improve your chances of making a play for the final table.
Not to say that you should become reckless, especially if on a smaller stack. I've actually had some great results when I was down to less than 2bb's on the bubble. I picked up KK and managed to double up. Three hands & less than 5 mins. later I was actually sitting in 10th place of a field of around 700 players & ended up in 4th. Was sweet but is was the extreme exception and not the rule.

And... yes... the payouts are very small in MTTs until you actually do go deep in the tourney. If you're always playing to just make it into the cash, for sure you will be a losing player over time.

[OmahaOne]

GypsyTea,

I too have tried this and for the most part I've been lucky when I've pulled the leaver... (Small buy-in only). I try not to make it a habit so when I do play larger stake games I don't just give my money away. Although I do that well on my own anyway...lol

OmahaOne

[Poker Orifice]

I personally like to play more hands. It is usually the only time in poker when people will fold A rag. I will try and see and flop with suited connectors or higher connectors just because you see everyone fold to the bb. Then again who knows

Try to see a flop?... so you're suggesting "High Blind Limping"? I'd suggest you take a serious look at that as it is a HUGE LEAK in SNG play.

Also.. poster above folding AA, KK on bubble of a SNG?? You've got to take any +EV situation for sure.

To PokerJonny's comment above.... I'd like to say " +1 " I agree 100%.