Shootout strategy

[robthedlphin]

I've won a seat at the qualifying tournament for the WPT Celebrity Tournament at the Commerce City Casino (worth $10,000). The qualifying tournament is a shootout, and I'm guessing I'll be up against 100-150 people. Because the radio station in which I won the seat is a rock-n-roll top 40 station with mostly younger listeners, I'm guessing the average player will be your typical online player (like me).

I've only played one shootout on stars and I hated the format. Can anyone give me some tips on strategic play for this format? Right now it looks like I'll try to play tight for the first few levels, and then slowly loosen up as the blinds increase. When we get to 3 players left at the table(s), I plan on being super aggressive. After all, as far as I know only the winning player at each table will move onto the final table. I haven't been given the blind structures or anything, so it remains a mystery how many seats we will have/starting stack/blind increase times.

Any comments? Can anyone give me some pointers/suggestions? Anyone seen a book on shootout strategy?

Thanks in advance all!!

[Zybomb]

Find out the specifics of this particular shootout first and I cant give more specific advice

Otherwise, generally its just a SNG that only pays out 1st place (assuming this is standard shootout, some allow top 2 or 3 to advance).

Play it similiarly to how you'd play a normal SNG with one noteable exception. You are playing to win! That means taking a risk a little more often (if necessary and if you are the one getting the $$ in)

Tight play is generally the optimal strategy early one, but play the opposite of your table -- if they will allow you to accumulate chips early with steals then do it -- just do so carefully.

More so than other times do not allow yourself to get short. Begin shoving with a wide variety of hands to pick up blinds as they increase rather than wait around for a big hand and lose enough chips where your double up isnt even meaningful anymore

[robthedlphin]

Thanks Zy, that's exactly what I wanted. Do you play the 1st table any different than the second? I'm guessing the 2nd table should consist of better players than the first, since they all won their tables.

[Zybomb]

Typically the 1st table is like a traditional SNG... 2 other good players and a mixture of decent and bad ones,

The 2nd table is generally 5 or 6 good players and a few lucky morons

I dont really play the tables differently, but I'll reserve my plays that only work on aware opponents for the more -- you know, aware opponents

[eejit101]

That is quality advice. I often try moves against players who dontr understand what im repping or not repping, and they do the opposite of the player the move is designed for.

Other than that, as i play a few shootouts, and as we dont know blinds structure, level times, or how many place, all i can offer is be agressive, witht he chip lead at your table its alot easier than chasing. Id race first hand to get a 2-1 lead over 2nd, just for the added chips you should be able to bully with your bigger stack. Final table will be better opponents no doubt, but one thing, evyerone who is at the FT wont want to risk their chance at winning, so stealing here will be easier.

Just gauge the table, and the opponents.

[Zybomb]

Mad props to anyone from the US who can explain to me what in god's name the bolded part is trying to mean

[lightfungus]

Look out for these and be prepared to take full advantage of the chips they will no doubt be spewing. You don't want others having the good fortune of getting their chips at the second table.

[GTDawg]

I dunno. I got attacked by flying commas and dove for cover.

[Talking Poker]

One minute, he saing that he's making complex moves hat his opponents don't understand. The next, he's suggesting getting it all in and gambling for the early double up on the first hand.

Gee, I wonder why those "moves" don't work later on.

[eejit101]

nooo, be agressive at the first table. I should sleep. Sorry

[robthedlphin]

I called the location today and the lady I spoke with didn't know much except there are 210 seats (who knows how many will actually show up)played in two sessions. The tourney is supposed to last 10 hours. I'm guessing that means this will be a double shootout? She didn't know the starting stack and the times for each level.

[Reel Deal]

If there's 210 in the field, it sounds like it might be a triple shootout.