Ariston - No time for a multi? STTs are the future

Types of STT available:

• 10 seater (buy-ins of all sizes) - this is a 10 player tournament where the winner gets 50%, 2nd gets 30% and 3rd gets 20%. The other 7 get nada/zilch/nowt. It is like any other tournament apart from one major thing - the blinds go up every 10 hands - there is no clock.
• Sixpak - 6 player tournament (not just a clever name then) where 1st gets 75% and 2nd gets 25% and the other 4 - quack quack oops. Blinds go up every 12 hands.
• Satellites - various formats both 10 seaters and Sixpaks where the winner gets entry into a target event (usually one of the big MTTS) and 2nd usually gets money back for another go (and maybe a little profit, but not much).

Tactics to play STT’s

The 10 Seater

There are several ways to approach this format of poker but the 10 seater is like an MTT on speed. If you read the series of articles on the 15k that I wrote earlier in the year then the tactics should be similar but on a quicker timescale. I would suggest that you play very tight for the first few levels and only open up when the blinds get big enough. So many people get knocked out at level one with trash hands like AJ etc. If you play only premium hands until say level 4 or 5 then you will find that you will be getting close to the money. After level 5 or 6 you have no option but to play as you will be shorthanded and the blinds will be big. When you reach level 7 or 8 folding isn’t really an option as you may find 40% of your stack in the middle on a blind therefore it doesn’t matter what 2 cards you get, you have to call the inevitable raise.

The 10 seaters are fun but aren't my favourite STT as they suit a very basic style of poker- tight first, open up level 4 and keep firing until its over. When I say open up, I mean get your chips in first when at all possible. I am not suggesting you start calling peoples all-ins with junk - you should wait until level 8 to do that. So many people play this way it is possible to take the opposite approach (I have spotted quite a few players doing this) and attack from hand one. If you have reasonable player notes you can push people around from the start - if you know your opponents are tight early then why not keep forcing them off pots? This may lead to more early baths and less cashes but it will also increase the number of 1st places you get. The players that have the best results in these seem to play to a plan, they don't just wing it, they play one way or the other. It may be an idea to try playing both styles and decide which suits your game best (I prefer the tight first tactic myself).

The Sixpak

Sixpaks should be the same as above you think? ooohhhh no, these are a different beast and suit real poker players. You are starting shorthanded with small blinds, which allows you to dance in a few pots. Many people play these the same way as 10 seaters and get upset when they get outdrawn but in a Sixpak anything goes from hand 1 as far as I am concerned. You all by now know my views on playing the game - I am not a caller, I am a raiser/re-raiser so don’t call off your chips. As the payout structure is so lopsided (2nd gets you your buy in back +1/2 a buy in whereas 1st gets you 4 1/2 times your buy in) you play for 1st and not to cash. If you have a draw, get your chips in there. If you have position, get your chips in there. If you have no hand, no draw and are out of position get your chips in there first (not every time obviously). I feel the best tactic for these is to be aggressive from the start and don’t ever let up - imagine a Rottweiler with a bone or Dubai with a kebab. They will be aggressive and never let up on their prized possession!

The Satellites

Very short and sweet advice - there is one prize!!! You can wait for cards if you want to but don’t wait too long, in an STT the chip leader is king. Get a move on, get the chip lead and punish the short stacks at the higher levels.

Advanced tactics for STTs

This is something I do in some big live tourneys, why not set aside 20% of your original stack as "gambling chips"? These allow you to play plenty of pots (suited connectors etc) and try to build an early stack. When/if you get down to 80% of your original stack just rock up and wait for a real hand.

I am not going to repeat all the previous advice I have given in other columns on blind steals, bluffing, position etc because you should have already read it!! Click list all articles at the top of the page and find my other stuff as I am not one to repeat myself or talk too much (he he).

Fun in STTs

Why not play an entire STT blind? If ever I am bored of the game I do this and believe me when I say it sharpens up your reading ability of the game. Stick a post-it note / msn box over your cards and play the whole tournament in the dark. This is pure poker as you are playing your opponents only not your cards. The only information you have is how other people are playing pots. You will soon find you will spot when players are betting draws or betting weak (i.e. re-raise will win you this pot). There is no better feeling than winning one of these things never having looked at a card (NB there are plenty feelings better than this obviously but this is a family forum...).

You will also find if you do this a few times you will get a natural "feel" for people’s hands. You will just know when someone is at it on your blind and you will be able to run a play on them. It also sharpens up your representation betting skills where you bet the correct amount each street to make your opponent believe you have what you are telling him you have. All these skills will come in useful in other games and imagine how easy it will be to win one of these when you can actually see your cards.

See me in the Aussie Millions STTs

I told you it was going to a brief one this month as I have had a lot on (well done dpommo by the way) and am off again for another festival now. I expect to be playing a whole lot more online in December during the 12 plays.

See you at the tables.

Ariston

Ariston has just won his package for the Aussie millions in January.