Playing with a huge stack

westside8westside8
in Brags, Beats & Variance
Sitting at a table when you're 3X everyone else' stack. The table is consists of a couple of tight players, but majority of them are solid. Just how far do you use your chip stack as an advantage? Do you keep bullying until people start fighting back?

Comments

  • pkrfce9pkrfce9
    tell me more. are you talking about a nl tourney when you are close to the bubble?
  • westside8westside8
    NL, not close to bubble yet, but then again, I was pretty much in that situation from 1st break after the rebuy/addon until money, so I guess yes and no to that.
  • GTA PokerGTA Poker
    I was worried this would be a gay porn thread, but I couldn't look away.

    Carry on.
  • specialKspecialK
    it really depends wes, did you just get moved to that table or had you taken most of the chips from them? cause if you have taken the chips from the players at the table (which i'm assuming you have because you have some way to classify them ie. solid/tight) so i would take harringtons approach here (read this in harrington I), since you have such a big stack you must have had a nice rush of cards and been raising and reraising with good hands so your table image to those players is probably pretty loose... so you are probably going to get looked up more often when you are being aggressive with not great cards. since it isn't close to the bubble i'd either stick to the way you were already playing or maybe even tighten up a bit.
  • pkrfce9pkrfce9
    Well, I wouldn't be reckless but I'd take advantage of situations to continue building the stack.
  • Dave ScharfDave Scharf
    More and more lately I am searching for the balance between wanton aggression and preserving my edge. With a big stack you can afford some amount of attempting to steamroll the table. But, it's a disaster to get involved in a few pots and get brought back down into the land of the mortals.

    So... play small pots. Steal the blinds where possible. Execute a judicious re-steal when possible. Limp steal when possible. But, don't go barging into BIG confrontation because "you can afford it." You can't. Losing yoru big stack status is a horrible thing to have happen.
  • ddmilcanddmilcan
    Dave
    I like that Avatar, very Canadian/Olympic

    Milton Slim (not yet)


    Paid Advertisement
    MILTON ROCKS
  • MetroMetro
    I have watched many players blow their chip stack almost as quickly as they built it (myself included).

    But many players also do not take advantage of the position.

    There are so many variables to consider.

    The most common benefits I find are:

    That you can make those calls to put short stacks out of the tourney - especially if they are pushing UTG before the BB hits them.

    You can use it against players that will always fold to a flop bet if they havent hit it hard.

    You can use the semi bluff without becoming crippled.

    I find in general people will give less credit to big stacks - the concept that they can afford to play worse cards and chase - for that reason I find using the call to imply a drawing hand against weaker players to be effective - when you have hit big. If the turn comes blank they will push all in to push you off a draw.

    Harrington has some great insight into the big stack play - just ask Mark I am sure he can recite the entire section for you!!
  • Dave ScharfDave Scharf
    a couple of tight players, but majority of them are solid

    This looks to me like the proper item from the toolbox is "basic seal" and "limp steal." The wrong tools are "re-steal" and trying to force these opponents into big laydowns post-flop.
  • CrazyJoe113CrazyJoe113
    Dave Scharf wrote:
    More and more lately I am searching for the balance between wanton aggression and preserving my edge. With a big stack you can afford some amount of attempting to steamroll the table. But, it's a disaster to get involved in a few pots and get brought back down into the land of the mortals.

    So... play small pots. Steal the blinds where possible. Execute a judicious re-steal when possible. Limp steal when possible. But, don't go barging into BIG confrontation because "you can afford it." You can't. Losing yoru big stack status is a horrible thing to have happen.

    this is where i struggle the most i think, avoiding bigger pots when i'm a big chipleader.
  • Dave ScharfDave Scharf
    I do too.

    Many do.

    Hi, my name is Dave.

    Crowd: Hi Dave.

    And I am an aggression-aholic. I try and win tournaments too soon.

    Crowd: You're only human Dave.
  • YorkpokerYorkpoker
    Dave Scharf wrote:
    Crowd: You're only human Dave.

    but only marginally.

    The whole chuck norris fad could have just as easliy have been a dave scharf fad.

    I, personally, have been a victim of Mr. S's unchecked aggression. And he was the chip leader in our mini tourney. What has been suggested above - aggressive when it can't REALLY hurt you too much - is a sound strategy most times.
Sign In or Register to comment.
HomeDiscussionsToggle Dark Mode