New to poker, need some advice for online tournaments

Doorhandle

Hey guys, so I signed up for pokerstars about 2 weeks ago and have been having a good time (playing only no limit holdem). I have done lots of reading and watching streams/videos and feel like I can grasp at least all the basic concepts.

However, I am still having a lot of problems in tournaments (I play micro stakes, less than a dollar buyin). Ive played ~20 tournaments, and cashed in 5 or 6 of them. Not sure if that's good or not but that's besides the point.

In the early rounds of tournaments, I try to play really tight. I generally only play top 15-20 hands, and even then sometimes I fold. The main problem I am running into are the constant all ins. Every 3 hands, someone goes all in. They either steal the blinds/raises or someone calls.

Sometimes it takes me 15 or 20 hands before I get a decent one. I then proceed to raise, and will sometimes call all ins, but I am so tired of having to call like 20 all ins every tournament. It feels impossible to win every all in even with a hand like pocket aces or kings.

I would like some general advice. I dont really have any options other than playing tight because hardly anyone ever folds to post flop aggression. Meanwhile, playing tight also feels super awkward because of how much money I lose just to blinds and ante after the first hour. I just feel completely stuck and am essentially relying on luck (which is NOT why I wanted to play poker). Thanks for reading, would appreciate any advice or tips (just give it to me straight).

moose

Sounds like you are playing turbos.

Doorhandle

Yeah :( It's all I can seem to find on pokerstars (for my price range).

moose

Well those are shove fests. All you can do is get it in with the best and hope to hold. Standard rule of thumb is you have to win 6 50/50 flips and get lucky twice when you get it in behind to win a tourney, while avoiding all stack killing suckouts when you get it in ahead.

GoldenAge

PokerStars does have some regular-speed 45 and 90-player Sit & Gos that are under a dollar. Definitely a different style of tournament than the turbos.

sn1perb0y

I think paying close attention to stack sizes ( in bbs) and know when to call with what hands vs different amount of bbs. Also it looks like you never steal which you should be doing a lot in late position.

jacksmith

Indeed you had done good amount of homework, however game like this cann't be mastered mere by watching/reading tutorials. I suggest not put your money on stake in initial stages. Just try to grasp more knowledge by trying online games in fun mode only. Just go for the one and enjoy your luck.

Monoxide

jacksmith;392454 wroteIndeed you had done good amount of homework, however game like this cann't be mastered mere by watching/reading tutorials. I suggest not put your money on stake in initial stages. Just try to grasp more knowledge by trying online games in fun mode only. Just go for the one and enjoy your luck.

Sry but id have to disagree, when i started in 2006 all i played were the $2.20 $11 sattys to the 100k on stars. I dont think ive ever played playmoney, i started with $50 deposit.

Games were way way way easier looking back but its super hard to get a real feel or knowledge of the game from play money. Micros are far superior because you get people that are actually trying and there is a monetary goal at the end, plus its way within a normal persons bankroll.

My advice if you are serious would be to look into a site like deucescracked and watch some videos, get an idea of what games you are interested in playing and find the cheapest ones pertaining to your bankroll.

philliivey

Monoxide;392459 wroteSry but id have to disagree, when i started in 2006 all i played were the $2.20 $11 sattys to the 100k on stars. I dont think ive ever played playmoney, i started with $50 deposit.

Games were way way way easier looking back but its super hard to get a real feel or knowledge of the game from play money. Micros are far superior because you get people that are actually trying and there is a monetary goal at the end, plus its way within a normal persons bankroll.

My advice if you are serious would be to look into a site like deucescracked and watch some videos, get an idea of what games you are interested in playing and find the cheapest ones pertaining to your bankroll.

See bold, man I miss those, Do they still offer them?

Monoxide

Haha yea they helped me so much initially, they have been pretty much replaced entirely by hyper turbos today. Hypers didnt even exist at any real level back then. Sad.

jacksmith

Monoxide;392459 wroteSry but id have to disagree, when i started in 2006 all i played were the $2.20 $11 sattys to the 100k on stars. I dont think ive ever played playmoney, i started with $50 deposit.

Games were way way way easier looking back but its super hard to get a real feel or knowledge of the game from play money. Micros are far superior because you get people that are actually trying and there is a monetary goal at the end, plus its way within a normal persons bankroll.

My advice if you are serious would be to look into a site like deucescracked and watch some videos, get an idea of what games you are interested in playing and find the cheapest ones pertaining to your bankroll.

Its seems like we both are talking the same, initially its lucrative and easy, however, progressively becoming more skill demanding when starting confronting the pros. I learned it from my uncle, latter started playing it online in fun mode. I usually play it on CasinoFloor, however, will surely visit deucescracked and watched videos to have an extra edge, You know.

compuease

Interesting to see where this goes....

GTA Poker

Spin spin spin!!!