WSOP Position Strategy - Day 2

[SemiEsq]

I was posting some WSOP positional info on our one of our members and it made me wonder what strategy I would use if at the WSOP in his position; namely:

1. Day two
2. Small stacks everywhere pushing with all kinds of hands
3. Have monster stack of 85k
4. Seated between two other chip leaders (right - 111k, left - 81k)
5. No information on how aggressive or passive these big stacks are

What strategy would you use going into day two?

[otbdave]

Let the small stacks eliminate themselves until some bigger stacks fill the seats.

Do not call a small stack all in unless willing to deal with confrontation from one of the big stacks.

[wreaks]

Try to avoid the big stacks without big hands, pick on the small stacks here and there (stealing blinds and antes), play position as much as possible.

[D-Nut]

Sounds like a scary table dynamic so early in the tourney......I dont like being between a couple of players with lots of chips, but I'm sure they aren't too happy with their situation either.....so playing around them is not an option for me. The player to the right is not going to be too excited to be raising into our hero, and especially facing 3 bets back.....so I'd definately dip my toe in to see how he reacts to a few 3 bets, especially since the blinds are so playable. But all the while, being very cognizant of the fact that our aggression could end up pricing us into some unfavorable situations with the short stacks at the table.....so I will probably be asking myself lots of questions throughout the day (am I ready to call an all-in from the short stack if I make this play.....is my 3 bet going to get me in trouble from the player to my left who also has lots of chips, etc.)

But overall.....I like my position at this point.....and while I want to be careful with my aggression, I simply cant sit back and be happy with 80K at this point......in the grand scheme of things, that is 4 buyins worth of chips, and we'll need lots more than that to be a player when it comes money-time.

I guess finally.....I never go into a tourney with a gameplan per se.....I always try to feel my way through the table. The games changes too much to go in with a plan, IMO.

So I suppose everything I just said would probably be trashed in 5 minutes anyways.....

[SemiEsq]

The problem I would be worried about is that there is only one hand every ten that you would have position on the big stack to your left - makes it hard to pick on smaller stacks. Also makes me wonder what I would do with a strong pp like KK or AA in the small blind if the big to the right raises his button and the big to the left has yet to act.

[otbdave]

Come back over top with KK or AA obviously?

The big stack to the left also equally fears your raises, he should not be 3 betting you lightly, he will probably be folding.

Like what Dave said, they are probably just as reluctant to tangle with you as you are to tangle with them, unless you determine otherwise. You really have to be there and know the playing styles of the biggies.

[D-Nut]

Also makes me wonder what I would do with a strong pp like KK or AA in the small blind if the big to the right raises his button and the big to the left as yet to act.

Hopefully the image of our hero would make calling out the question. Obviously flatting from the blinds is a -EV play, unless you have an excellent reason, and even then, I'm not so sure. I highly doubt that just by flatting, you will induce a squeeze from the BB, when you are dealing with such large stacks. The BB would likely have to have a hand if he is going to 3-bet this spot, and if that is the case, I'd want to project my standard play (which is to 3-bet the obvious button steal)

Not only that...but I think getting cute with a huge hand here can only spell disaster with a couple of players that can send you packing.

Just my opinion!

[wreaks]

The people who pick up big stacks after day one either a) were getting lots of hands, b) were playing very aggressively and getting lucky (betting draws, playing AK/AQ very strong, etc), or c) were at a very weak table (or tables) and were able to bully the players. If they do not adjust their play, they will be gone QUICK. If they're really aggressive, trap them with big hands, but play tight besides that. If they're playing smart, play your big hands strongly PF. Let them try to bully the small stacks all the time, and watch them get snapped off.

Picking on small stacks is good, but you have to be smart about it. If they're smart about it, then you know they understand stack sizes, and they'll be mostly avoiding confrontations with other big stacks too.

[SemiEsq]

Sorry Dave N - we were posting at the same time. I like your approach with the feeler bets - maybe after 10 hands or so when everyone has settled a little. I also like Dave W's idea to wait for a couple more stacks that would make the player on the left worry about someone else when in early or middle position. I love to plan out general strategies for tourneys - but agree completely that as i learn the table everything changes. By the way Dave N - I've read a lot of poker books and never run across "The Gentleman's Handbook on Poker" - is it any good?

[otbdave]

I have never read "The Gentleman's Handbook on Poker". I am just starting to read thanks to borrowing books from Derek.