New to Tournaments

[SirTiltalot]

I'm sorta new to tournaments. Actually, I'm kind of new to poker, only really started playing it often over the last few months. I have a few questions. Is this generally something you can get into and actually win or is this more luck based (tournaments I mean)? I really like the tournament structure but from the stuff I've been playing on poker stars... it seems no matter how well I play, I'm either short stacked and the blind starts coming up or tools get really lucky calling large bets with trash. I managed to get second twice in a row on the SnG tourney things on poker stars (2 dollar buy ins or whatever) but since then, I just can't get anywehre. And it's getting frustrating. Is this just how these things go or am I just not playing well enough?

Basically, I've been only playing top hands being very tight but playing those hands very aggressively. Later on when the blinds are quite large, if I'm on the button or just right of the button, I'll raise the BB by 3-4 times and blind steal a nice pot with trash hands (A3o or something so I at least have a high card if someone with a low stack decides to get desperate and call). And that barely keeps me a live so I can have enough chips to keep holding out for the good stuff. Should I be a little bit more lose in my playing? Playing lose early on while the bets are low and tightening up as I go on?

Any place I can go to read up on tournament strategies and stuff? I've tried searching a bit but most of the stuff is for just normal ring games, not specifically tournaments.

Also what are the best tournaments or whatever to play on poker stars. I just play the 2.20/180 player ones and then maybe the 16 dollar/18 player turbo games. What do you suggest are the best to join up in?

[Felting]

If you are going to play tight, the worst thing you can play is a turbo.IMO, the tighter your playing style is the longer the blind levels and the deeper the stacks you want to play. If you're playing micro's, the 2.50+.25 5k gtd tournament that is played once a day is great because 1st is usually worth right at 2k. The next full ring 2.20 tournament after the 2.75 is also a good one, it's the only micro double stack(3k starting chips.)

Yes the micro's can be very fustrating, but you can win and build a BR if you play good sound poker. Couple of pointers. One, try to find more situations to look at flops early on when the blinds are small, specially from late position and the blinds. When everyone is limping or the bet is small enough, have a look at a flop with small pocket pairs, suited connectors and broadway cards(ie Q10 or KJ). Just know that in the multiway pots your not trying to make just a pair.

2nd, if you catch a big pair in the first blind level, you'll be surprised how often you'll get called if you donk shove.

[lwestatbus]

Excellent advice from Felting all around.

2nd, if you catch a big pair in the first blind level, you'll be surprised how often you'll get called if you donk shove.

When I get a monster in a multiway pot this is my favorite trick.

[Jauron]

If you are playing a SNG like a tourney you are in for some bad times. if you are playing mostly SNG's you want to read up on those, and you won't find much in books. 2+2 had a few decent posts about them stickied, least on the old forums.

Start with that, and if you are still around start posting hands here.