Quality of the field in Invitational tournaments

J

Joshua

New Member
I'm a tournament rookie - I'll play in my first tournament at an invitational in two weeks. It's a tournament only open to the casino's rollers - probably 250 or 350 per hand minimum.

Does anyone have any experience with the quality of the field in these types of tournaments? Will there be many people with real tournament experience and/or knowledge of correct tournament play? Or will most players be tournament hackers that are much happier at the live tables?

I'm reasonably smart, am pretty quick at basic math, and am thoroughly grounded in the rate of return for the correct bets in basic strategy for the tables I play on. I have also just ordered Mr. Wong's book (I'll read it twice between now and the tournament) and have read all the posts in the strategy area, so I'll have a good introduction to tournament betting, how to vary from basic strategy in certain betting situations, etc.

I figure that probably describes most of the rookies that come to a site like this to learn how to play before a tournament. So would the above description place a rookie in the bottom quarter of an invitation-only field, dead center, upper tenth, or what?

I also have a strategy question. I've seen a lot of descriptions in the message forums of optimal betting when playing from behind in the middle or late hands, or on playing from the lead when you're betting after the other players, but I haven't seen much on correct betting strategy when playing with a small lead and betting first in the last hands. Not that I'll likely have to worry about it :)

But seriously, simplifying to just two players, and your lead is less than the max bet, do you like to play for the high or the low? It seems to me that the correct bet is to go for the low with:
(min_bet_size + size_of_lead) - one_chip

If the resulting bet is greater than
(min_bet_size + max_bet_size) / 2
then you are also guaranteed the single bet high, forcing your opposition to play for 12% or to double-down. But (and again I haven't read Wong's advice yet) it seems like guaranteeing the low gives the best overall odds of winning the hand.

What would you do?
 
No Help from me.

Good Luck to you, hope you do well. I have never played a tournament myself, but thinking about entering one myself in May. I'm riding your coat-tails on this one and looking to pick up on any advice anyone might give you. I think my biggest problem might be coming out too aggressive and trying to build up a big enough lead to make the others chase so it wouldn't come down to the last hand, or I would go down in flames trying to accomplish this.

Take Care...
Capt.
 
You've got a good start

The field in many invitational tournaments is pretty weak, and you're likely to see lots of aggressive but generally uninformed play. Now, aggressive is dangerous, but you should have a good shot.

I would say that a rookie who is familiar with some of the ideas presented on this site is easily in the middle of the field, and more likely in the top third.

As for whether to take the high or low when betting from a small lead, take the high if two or more other players are in range. Only take the low if you have only one player who can catch you.
 
Hybrid Format?

I'm new to tournaments and looking to play my first one at Gold Strike in May hopefully. Does Hybrid Format mean your playing off who has the highest chip total advances after the qualifying round? How does the rebuy work? If your not satisfied with your opening round, you could decide to try to re-qualify? Also in a tournament like this with the $500 entry does it include your rooms at the hosting casino? Sorry for all the questions, I'm learning. Thanks for any information.

Take Care...
Capt.
 
Gold Strike tourney

i played there, think it was Dec. but not sure. I think there were the maximum of 232 enteries(some were comps) at $500@, rebuys were $250. It is an accumilation tournament. Everyone played 2 rounds. If you were satisfied with your accumulation, there was no need to rebuy. But you will find some excellent players there. I do not remember the accumulation that it took to advance. The entry fee got you 2 nights rooms, (probably more if you ask especially if you give them some table action in the casino.), a first night cocktail & buffet reception that was quite good. It was a big, well run tournament that provides a lot of fun & will be a learning experience for you. It is a really nice hotel & casino. Have fun, & good luck.
 
Thank You!

Springbac, appreciate the info. Very helpful. I'm sure it would definately be a learning process for me being it would be my first, not 100% I'll go, but leaning towards it. Going to Tunica in about 3 weeks, may go over to GoldStrike and give them some action and see if any comps for the tourney may come my way, never know. If anyone knows what total of points it took to advance last time, I'd sure appreciate it.

Take Care...
Capt.
 
First tourney attempt

For whatever it's worth. I've always hated final jeopardy. to let itcome down to one bet at the end is excruciating, no matter all the strategy tips. better to play solid basic, with the tourney adjustment, that it's a short handed number of hands and go for all the opportunities to get more money on the table when the oportunity presents itserlf. even if it's a play you wouln't normally use at regulary table play.

Also review smith's tourney strategy tips for three extremely valuable situational moves.
 
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