Just been playing a multi and went out relatively early. I play tight-aggressive and am a winning poker player when I play the 10 seater sit n go's but multi's usually are the death of me. Just there I got critically injured by someone that was calling with 3rd pair on the flop and made a runner runner straight with his other card!!!! I was betting my hand the whole way and making it nice and expensive for him but still he called?? I've tried to play multi's where you I don't get involved and then make my move near the end but often I find that some big stack will call your all-in or raises leaving you vulnerable to draws.
So what makes for good freezout multi table strategy with a large field of which many are total morons?? How do you ensure you are at the last few tables with the higher standard of players with a chip stack that will allow you to compete with them?
Multi tourneys are all about survival, discipline, and a bit of luck. Thats about it! I start off playing very tight, only premium hands only. I observe the people on my table and see what they do and what kind of player they are. I try to get information so i can use that later on.
Then, i shift gears and try to steal some pots by bluffing and playing very aggressive. I want to mix up my play because i dont want to sound too predictable. In multi tourneys, u have to really play smart because one bad move and your pretty much out. Also, u cant just fold everything and hope to grind it out. To be successful, u need to build a decent stack. Remember chips are Power... the more u have, the flexible u are.
So in conclusion, survive the early stages of the tourney by playing tight aggressive and pay attention to whats going on in your table, then find the right moments to build your stack gradually. Dont worry about doubling up too quickly... stealing pots/blinds will add up. Believe me! Then, of course u need some luck along the way. Every tourney player in here would agree with me and say that u need luck to win tourneys. You may need a lucky river to save u a few times. But if u want to be a consistent top finisher in multis, i just do the same thing over and over again.
