My name is Penguinfan........

[Reel Deal]

I don't know if this will help you any and I'm not professing to be an expert, but you might find this interesting... these are some of my stats last night from the Stars 20 table $20+2 where I finished 12th (at one point when we were down to 2 tables I was 7th in chips):

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You finished in 12th place (eliminated at hand #2994510596).

186 hands played and saw flop:
- 3 times out of 25 while in small blind (12%)
- 7 times out of 23 while in big blind (30%)
- 16 times out of 138 in other positions (11%)
- a total of 26 times out of 186 (13%)

Pots won at showdown - 7 out of 11 (63%)
Pots won without showdown - 20
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What I found interesting is that I played extremely tight (saw only 13% of all flops), but you'll see I won 20 pots w/o a showdown and 7 of 11 showdowns. So, as you can see I didn't get involved in many pots, but when I did I aggressively went after them and/or made sure I had a hand that would hold up at showdown.

[humpty99]

I've never seen you play, but you sound an awful lot like the the kind of people I like to see at a NL tourney: very predictable! A guy who plays a lot of high cards is awesome to take chips from because he will raise, then I call. If the flop comes with low cards, unless he hit trips, he probably hit nothing. These players will most likely then take a healthy stab at the pot no matter whether they are first or last to act. Put in a healthy raise, and they almost always fold. If they call, they probably are drawing to one of their hole cards. If it hits get out. If they raise, they probably have a huge pair and you can ditch your hand. Although a tad risky early in a tourney, this simple yet effective move can net you MAJOR chips to get off to a good start which I think is critical. The last thing I want to do is wait three blind intervals for a premium hand, and already be fighting with people that have me quadrupled in chips.

Also, look at other peoples stacks. Try your hardest to get into hands with people that have less chips than you. Its not always possible if you get AA, and the leader is the only other one in the pot, but just do what you can. Like TP said, going into a pot with KJ against the chip leader can often be a death sentence. Play VERY safe when your opponent can send you home. Play VERY aggressive when you can send them home.

[Reel Deal]

Was that directed at me?

[Talking Poker]

I'm sure it was for Penguinfan.

[humpty99]

It was for Penguin fan. Like I said, I was only going on what he said. He sounded like he was frustrated about people with crappy cards winning, which is what a lot of "high card only" players get mad about. I have no problem with people winning or losing on low hole cards; however, when they are drawing to ridiculous odds against correct sized bets it is very un-nerving. When I'm in a game with very bad players (min. bets, raises, etc) I will often play junk because I know they will let me draw for next to nothing.