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Rebuy Tournaments - The Crack Cocaine Of Poker
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Author: Marc Weinberg
I read a lot of cunning poker strategy articles on the subject of rebuy tournaments, and they all have one thing in common: they make me laugh. Rebuy poker tournaments turn relatively normal players into raving lunatics, and if you think they notice your subtle shifts in play guess again.
Most rebuy strategy runs along these lines: When you're in the rebuy phase (it usually lasts for the first hour in online tournaments, but it can be pegged to a certain number of blind levels as well) you need to play it loose and fast. Have a full go with marginal hands and try to build up your stack early. Then, as soon as you have enough chips you revert back to your tight-aggressive style and get paid off for all your premium hands.
These are lovely, precious thoughts and they're all wrong for most rebuy tournaments, especially online ones. For one thing, everyone is playing this way from the outset. In poker tournaments it often pays to go against the general tone of your table - so if everyone is pushing marginal hands you should wait for a good hand to crush them rather than making that four-way all-in a five-way with your QK suited.
The idea is that players will pay you off down the line because they think you're a maniac based on your early play. But in online multi-table rebuy tournaments you are highly unlikely to see the same players down the line, and even if you do I guarantee that the majority of buffoons drawn to this format have no clue who you are or what you play like.
Table image is vastly more important at S&G tournaments because you have a captive audience of opponents, many of whom cannot help but notice your style. Not the same in rebuy tournaments online, and in fact a number of live-game rebuy events are so chaotic and loose that the importance of table image can be debated there as well.
One good piece of advice that most strategy articles on this subject do provide is the following - set your budget beforehand, in terms of how many rebuys and add-ons you're going to allow yourself. Also, remember that in online tournaments there is frequently an overlay because the tournaments have a guaranteed stake. Don't rebuy 10 times, however, and delude yourself into thinking that there is still an overlay for you. Rebuy tournaments make money for poker rooms because they attract the type of player who is happy to rebuy 5-10 times.
My advice on the matter: If you can't beat your table at the third time of asking this just isn't likely to be your day. Rebuy twice and if you're knocked out for the third time it isn't funny anymore. Cut your losses, lick your wounds, and save your bankroll for the next tournament. Rebuy tournaments can be brutal, and until players are knocked out for keeps you're never out of the woods, regardless of stack size. Keep your wits about you, and stick to a sensible style of tournament play - your results and bankroll will both look a hell of a lot healthier, I promise.
Related Poker Articles And News Items:
> The Curse Of Partial Withdrawal
> Harrington On Hold'em, Help My Poker!
> Hollywood Poker - New Player Observations
> Ultimate Bet Comments And Observations
> Tournament Poker Strategy - First Impressions Last
> Hold'em Strategy - Playing Average Cards Out Of Position
> Doyle Brunson's No Limit Poker Genius
> So Close To The WPT Championship
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