Coolers - lets discuss strategy

[robilaruk]

Inspired by a series of posts here between GaF and I, we thought it best to open a general discussion thread on the correct strategy to play coolers. The relevant posts from the other thread are: GAF said The Gap in these is absolutely huge - much much much more so than other forms of poker - so often you can shove with any two, and others cannot reasonably call with anything (even aces) - success in these games is all about the chips you can pick up pre flop without seeing a flop (let alone a showdown). (This response relates specifically to the hand I posted on the other thread) I said So surviving is not the correct strategy but aggressiveness is? GAF said Surviving is key, for everyone - so it's about situations where your opponents objective to survive will be stronger than the cards they hold and then levereging that situation. There are frequently situations where your opponents cannot call, no matter what cards they hold. In that situation I raise/reraise all in without looking at my cards. When there are a number of mid stacks (of which you are one) this can give you vital breathing space. I said Is there value in increasing your variance by being aggressive in these type of games with a flat pay out structure? GAF said No - you want to minimise your variance in these games. I am raising because my opponents will fold (which means there is no variance) - not because they will call and I will race..... I said In which case I fail to see the difference between this game and a normal STT's - there must be a difference in optimum play given the payout structure surely?:unsure

[robilaruk]

Re: Coolers - lets discuss strategy This is my current thinking on coolers. I play them like super-satallite tourneys - i am only interested in getting paid and if that means limping into the cash with only 1 BB then so be it. In other words I play super tight folding hand after hand and letting opportinities pass to shove in position with a low stack vs the blinds unless I have a good hand (probably top 20% at least) if there are other players in worse shape than me, (if I am the weenie stack i am probably (99%) AI SB vs BB). My goal is to outlast the smaller stacks and get paid. I dont get aggressive early levels with anything but AA (1st hand from tonight, KK in BB a min raise and 3 calls means I call and see the flop and only play if there is no Ace/drawing board). The chance of losing is too great a risk considering the payout structure IMHO - in a top heavy payout normal STT I would be re-raising KK early levels to get HU and see a flop/get AI PF as chips are needed to get ITM. GaF said he would open shove ATC with position when the time was right (stack vs blinds etc). I am unsure this is a good tactic as it increases your variance for little reward compared to a normal STT when the reward is much greater (you double your money in coolers compared to potentially winning 5 times your money). Would be interested to see some maths on this perhaps? I play this way because I believe I am a better player than at least 3 players at the table (at the level I am playing 3-5 euros), so therefore I only have to 'beat' 2 others to get paid. The standard of play on the 3 & 5 euro coolers is as poor as the normal STT's and folding and waiting is a valuable tactic in my book because by the time the bubble arrives the blinds are only 50/100 and I have 1100-1300 chips or so if i have played super tight. Would be interested in hearing other peopls thoughts on playing these. Cheers Damo