UKPC final - question for Tikay

BigBluster

Hi TK,

I consider myself a good MTT player who makes steady profits at the £5/£10 buy-in level. However, I've qualified via freerolls into the £220 buy-in UKPC final on Sunday and recognise that I'm probably out of my league against these guys.

So what should my approach be? The only thing I've decided is that I won't be playing scared: that I'm there on merit so won't be pushed around. But are there any strategic adjustments I need to make when I know I'm probably outgunned?

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to this.

BB.

Slipwater

Hey Bluster - I know this was directed at Tikay, but figured any input was valued.

Last year I got into the Sunday Final for the UKPC via a satellite and I had the same thoughts - that I was probably outclassed, etc - but as you've no doubt heard plenty of times, even the best players in the world are only dealt two cards, and they can only play the same actions as are available to you.

You're right - don't be pushed around, play the game the way you know how to play it, and try to enjoy the experience. For what it's worth I went to the first UKPC on the back of winning that Sunday Final by beating MattBates heads up, and we all know how good he is. Is he a better player than me? Sure. But maybe you'll get lucky like I did.

Just play your cards, mate. Raise when you have the goods; fold when you don't. The rest will take care of itself.

Tikay - over to you.

Tikay10

Hi BB,

Firstly, well done for making Sunday's Final.

I'm probably - in fact certainly - the wrong person to ask about a NLH MTT these days, & largely speaking, Slippy's reply says it all anyway.

I'd just add a few strategic matters.

You are right - you must not play scared. 

You are wrong - you won't be out of your league. We all need a bit of luck, & to be able to pick up some hands, hit some flops. If you do that, you'll be fine. If you don't, you wont.  

The Final currently has 35 runners. It'll probably make between 50 & 55 runners. 20% will get a seat. 10 seats are guaranteed, it might make 11.
 
So you need to outlast around 80% of the field.
 
Here's the thing I'd be careful about. This is a SATELLITE, we don't need to win it. THAT is where we can find a bit of an edge, by THINKING, so many people play Satellites badly, they want to WIN, & we see Big Stacks bang heads with other Big Stacks when they are near the seat bubble.

So when you say "I won't be pushed around", if you are down to, say, 20 runners, & have a middling stack, if the Big Stack is pushing you around, LET HIM, unless, of course, you have a top ten hand.

At that stage, play cosy, play clever. Have the Lobby open so you can see the number left, stack sizes, etc. We only need to finish 10th or 11, that's all.  

Good luck, I'll try & keep an eye on Sunday's Final, to see how you are doing. 

Here's the field so far. 

a2bsmurf20	4000
BChuckle	4000
BigBluster	4000
bod44	4000
BrayCorp83	4000
C2C2003	4000
cityace19	4000
eaturchips	4000
EBBERDON	4000
garner909	4000
GARY500	4000
gazzaluf05	4000
Gut5h0t	4000
HANSON	4000
IH8PALACE	4000
IrishRose	4000
Ivey368	4000
JCordy	4000
kevster367	4000
kidgrimsby	4000
lyonsbob06	4000
MattBates	4000
mogsy1957	4000
selfy	4000
Smilodon	4000
stanic222	4000
StayOrGo	4000
SWFC6	4000
s_hunter	4000
thebeat608	4000
THENUTS63	4000
TommyD	4000
ttdbx	4000
Viking25	4000
ZORRO1234	4000

 

BigBluster

Thanks guys. I think I know how to approach it, the rest is up to the cards.

mrsduck

Flop well Bluster, GL!

BigBluster

Well I busted out 16th when 13 got paid. I was in BB, both SB and I had about 10 bigs, it was folded round to him and he shoved. I called with KJ. His rag ace held up.

Maybe I should've folded as one double up would have done it for me, but I thought I was miles ahead of his range and played the hand.

C'est la vie.

Slipwater

Hmmm... unlucky.

KJ would be a use-all-of-my-time kind of hand in that spot, I reckon. I'd probably fold just as often as I'd call, given the opportunity.

Tikay10

Oooh, so close.

BigBluster

0

16

Having played it, did you feel "out of your depth", as you had hinted you might?

I don't think so. 4 spots off a seat, ooooohhhh.

BigBluster

In Response to Re: UKPC final - question for Tikay:

Oooh, so close. BigBluster 0 16 Having played it, did you feel "out of your depth", as you had hinted you might? I don't think so. 4 spots off a seat, ooooohhhh.
Posted by Tikay10

You're right, I didnt feel out of my depth. A lot of those guys I wouldn't dream of sitting down with in a cash game, but in a tournament it's a different ball game altogether.

kyaden20

I'm in the same position I got through the semi ukpc in final tonight I got here this far for nothing so I'll play the tournament of my life

Tikay10

In Response to Re: UKPC final - question for Tikay:

I'm in the same position I got through the semi ukpc in final tonight I got here this far for nothing so I'll play the tournament of my life
Posted by kyaden20

Just play your normal game, try to relax, & ENJOY it.

Win or lose, it should be a great memory, & a milestone in your poker journey.

And remember, if you get near the bubble, you don't need to win the Satellite, just qualify, so don't go banging heads with other big stacks, keep the Lobby open so you can see everyone's stack sizes, how many seats are on offer, & THINK carefully before every hand close to the bubble - "do I need to play this hand?" sorta thing.

Good luck.  

Tanya22

Any big final is a challange, but if you have gone all the way to qualify you have the game! I've qualified for this Sunday, by the skin of my teeth, but every level taught me more, a little luck is always needed, but being careful towards the end knowing where you are, and being able to muck a good hand whuch may win but would certainly kill you, when you know others are suffering too. Play and enjoy as normal, it's a place needed, not a win, this time !

GL to all  ( including me lol ) 

Tikay10

The very best of luck, Tanya.

Tanya22

In Response to Re: UKPC final - question for Tikay:

The very best of luck, Tanya.
Posted by Tikay10

tkank  you cu on the table

Tanya22

TiKay, made it, now all I need is how to get there when ? et and guess I'll cu there ............tjanks for the luck

HENDRIK62

In Response to Re: UKPC final - question for Tikay:

TiKay, made it, now all I need is how to get there when ? et and guess I'll cu there ............tjanks for the luck
Posted by Tanya22

Brilliant news Tanya, very well done.

I recommend that you ask Tikay to set out a travel plan, with the best service stop off points and perhaps a couple of detours to see any interesting roundabouts.........

Have a great time

Neil