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Translated by order of the educational portal university.poker
Article by Jen Shahade, original source: PokerStars Learn
What three pieces of advice would you give to a player who has never played in live tournaments before?
Jen:
- Don't be intimidated by big names at your desk. This will really take a lot of energy from you and create a trend in which you will feel like a minor character in relation to the famous players at the table.
- No! You are the main hero, and any day any player can complete a dipran and play among the best. That's why, as in our example, you play in the Bahamas. Do not forget about this and do not let the star player deprive you of confidence for a second.
- Still, if you want to take a few marginal hands out of your range at more aggressive tables, of course, that's smart and sensible. But your mental game is very valuable at such a large event, so you will need some training and experience.
What can a beginner do to reduce nervousness at the table?
Jen: Visualize different nervous situations and think about how you would react to them adequately. Focus on your game plan, not your emotions. Acknowledge that you may be unlucky and you may be relegated from the tournament very quickly.
Do you make any changes to your game over the course of the tournament when you play a major event like the Bahamas Series?
Jen: I try not to play too diverse, because if you change your strategy too much, it will hinder you rather than help you.
What do you eat during a long tournament? Do you take snacks to the table?
Jen: Usually I bring only those snacks that can be eaten without getting my hands dirty, for hygiene reasons, for example, sealed bars (only not loose!). I try to eat a decent amount of food at the beginning of the day and very little during the lunch break, and at the end I eat a big dinner.
How do you stay focused and fresh while playing long days at live events?
Jen: Most of the first game days I go to the late registration after a couple of hours from the beginning to be able to focus more on the end of the day. Day 1 is especially important because the game usually takes place in fairly deep stacks. Further, if I am lucky enough to pass on the second, third and fourth day, some adrenaline is already starting to help me. It is also important to understand that you cannot stay focused every minute of every level as you progress far into MTT. Spread your focus so that it is focused on the big banks, and soften your focus on the smaller banks that you do not participate in, especially those that are unlikely to make it to the autopsy.
How do you deal with the long absence of playable cards in a big live tournament?
Jen: Remember, it could have been worse. You can have good hands and you can meet better hands! Seriously, there's as much luck in poker as there is bad luck. And it's not just about getting an ace on the river. If you have a very low frequency of playable hands, you can certainly open a couple of marginal hands as other players may give you a little more trust than other players. Just do not get upset and do not change the situation too abruptly. You “NEED” to do nothing but play your own game, in the positions you are in, and with the cards you have dealt.
How would you suggest playing if you have a big stack in a high buy-in tournament?
Jen: Play very aggressively during the bubble and in the period before the bubble, when there is about 25-30% of the field left. People are increasingly aware of the impact of ICM, which begins long before the real bubble, so you can get a lot of free chips from players with medium playable stacks, deftly avoiding major collisions with an even larger stack. When you have a big stack, you need to consider a lot, regardless of whether there is a bubble or not. Asymmetrical (i.e., not equal) stack sizes mean that with each step you take, you need to consider what to do if a shorter stack goes all-in against you.
- For example, you can try to press 3-bet on the button on the openrazer. But did you notice the stack sizes on the blinds? This is something that a big stack should be very well aware of. Small stacks also benefit from noticing this, but since they only play within their own stack, there will be less of a “penalty” if they miss something.
What do you do during breaks?
Jen: In the Bahamas, I will definitely breathe fresh sea air.
How would you celebrate winning a live tournament?
Jen: I would celebrate on the beach with Bahama Mama and take a break from tournaments to enjoy the sun with my family and all my friends at this tournament.
