Rebuys

[DASH7]

What is a good strategy for purchasing rebuys in a tournament?

I have not played too many tourneys with rebuys but the couple that I have played in, I've noticed people will rebuy very early to build up their chips. I was wondering if it is a good idea to rebuy early or only if you run low on chips late and a rebuy might help get you into the money.

I've also noticed some tourneys will allow you to rebuy no matter what your stack size at a later round. Is this a must do or does it depend on where you are in the standings?

Final question:Are you at a huge disadvantage if you can't rebuy (no money in the account)? In other words, should you even be in the tourney in the first place?
Thanks.

[Tralfaz]

Hey Dash:

There are many theories on rebuy tourneys. Most allow you to rebuy if you are at or below your starting chip amount. They also allow a one time add-on of chips at the end of the rebuy period (usually the first break).

Some people believe that you should rebuy immediately thus doubling your chips. The problem with this is that people tend to play like morons in a rebuy tourney. So, you double your chips and then just lose them. If you play tight it is probably not a ba d idea, but remember that you may not be able to knock players off of a draw like you could in a normal tourney.

The most important thing is to have a plan before you start. Otherwise you end up rebuying again and again and just throw your money away. (ON Poker Stars you will generally see 2 to 3 times as many rebuys as there were original entrants). I always decide beforehand whether I will rebuy and how many times. This decision is usually based on the original buy-in amount.

For example, in a $50 rebuy tourney, I will generally not rebuy at all or use the add-on. I figure if I play tight I can pick up some chips. Also if you can survive until the rebuy period is over you can pick up chips as people tend to continue to play stupid. If I get knocked out - so be it I take my $50 loss and try again another time. Remember, if you lose all of your chips you are paying the original buy in amount to be less than even with your opponents. For example, If you started with 1500TC and lost it you are paying another $50 for 1500 more TC when your opponents have far more (because they took your chips).

I may also decide that I will do a rebuy immediately and the an add-on if necessary. However, I will not rebuy more than that. Also depending on my chip count I may not add on. (Once I had a 25,000 TC lead at the first break the add on was for 2,000 TC - I didn't feel it would make that much of a difference)

Anyway, I hope that this rambling response is of some help.
The condensed version is have a strategy and stick with it or you are just another fish throwing away your money.

Tralfaz

[Dave B]

Depends on the tourney, but I like to rebuy immediately. If I have the nuts and someone is betting into me, I want to take full advantage of that. Heck, in NL tourneys that is all you hope for, why let the cost of a rebuy limit your opportunities.

As far as add ons, I will buy if short stacked or just at my starting stack. Those blinds increase pretty fast and a rebuy can make the difference between seeing 20 or 30 hands.

When I sit down at a tourney w/ rebuys I have it in my mind that I will spend 3x the entrance fee. One rebuy before you even start if allowed and a second rebuy or addon if needed. If you think of the money as part of the entrance fee, then it doesnt seem so bad.

The rebuy/addon tourneys I have played the total cash is usually more than 3x the initial deposits.

Also-you will have some people going all in early w/ marginal hands just looking to double up. If they lose-then they just reload.