7 Hand Blackjack Tournament
~RCX
I have played in 7 hand tournaments maybe 20 times, and you are much more skilled at BJ than I am, but I will say that I usually see people betting much more aggressively/recklessly on the initial 2-3 hands of a short tournament than in a longer one, and the winner usually comes from within those who go for broke rather than those who are initially passive. By the time I and others holding back want to risk it, those others are too far ahead to catch. So I've changed how I play to mirror that more, and it's worked a couple of times, mostly by luck in catching a good hand to start. (betting 1/2 my stack rather than table min from hand 1 if I'm in the first or second position, then pressing).
I think those tournaments depend even more on luck when considering your seat draw. It's huge to get to go last or next-to-last and gauge your approach on how the others have bet on the first couple of hands, IMO; I think it's worth betting opposite the trend if you can. Also, when people bust out, those who went first get stuck going first again on the last hand or two. So if you have any say on where you sit, I'd try to go last (but I'm guessing it's like most and you draw seat numbers, can't claim a particular spot).
Probably so obvious as to be worthless suggestions, but you never know. I enjoy tournaments much more than just playing at a regular table, but we don't discuss them much on here. I hope you've started a good conversation with your comments!
Quote: beachbumbabsHi, avenged! Good luck in your tournament!
I have played in 7 hand tournaments maybe 20 times, and you are much more skilled at BJ than I am, but I will say that I usually see people betting much more aggressively/recklessly on the initial 2-3 hands of a short tournament than in a longer one, and the winner usually comes from within those who go for broke rather than those who are initially passive. By the time I and others holding back want to risk it, those others are too far ahead to catch. So I've changed how I play to mirror that more, and it's worked a couple of times, mostly by luck in catching a good hand to start. (betting 1/2 my stack rather than table min from hand 1 if I'm in the first or second position, then pressing).
I think those tournaments depend even more on luck when considering your seat draw. It's huge to get to go last or next-to-last and gauge your approach on how the others have bet on the first couple of hands, IMO; I think it's worth betting opposite the trend if you can. Also, when people bust out, those who went first get stuck going first again on the last hand or two. So if you have any say on where you sit, I'd try to go last (but I'm guessing it's like most and you draw seat numbers, can't claim a particular spot).
Probably so obvious as to be worthless suggestions, but you never know. I enjoy tournaments much more than just playing at a regular table, but we don't discuss them much on here. I hope you've started a good conversation with your comments!
Any advice is good advice! I appreciate you gong out of your way to shed a little light on the subject and I hope others join in. When I was running the numbers that's what I figured was to be more aggressive since if you take an early lead in a 7 hand game I cant imagine anyone catching you ... I am thinking that running the first 2 hands at medium bets (15-20% max initial bank each) then adjusting as necessary. I hate to participate in a tournament that seems 90% luck and 10% skill but honestly can't pass up a free seat potentially worth $100,000!!!! Thank you again for your insight!
~RCX
After that, to throw my semi-educated guesses in to the mix. I would still play slower out of the gate. Either way you're going to have to bet big eventually, so why not let them try to bust themselves out first? It's almost like a free roll. If they bust out, you're fine sitting where you are. If they make 50% of their stack, you know what you have to do. From my understanding position and chip stack is SUPER important. Much like position in poker being able to act (bet) last so you get to see what everyone in front of you does is very important information.
If it's down to you and another guy essentially (he's the only one that can catch you) let's say you have 10k and he has 8k. He bets 2k, what do you do? Okay, now he bets 4k, what do you do? I hope you see how your decisions are based off his stack and what he bets, and obviously a lot less on what the count is, etc. Though if you go through 5 rounds and it happens to be hideously negative or positive, then that might barely come in to play.
Just my barely educated tournament understanding. Again, my real advice would be to get Wong's book =P.
Quote: RomesWhile I do consider myself very knowledgeable about blackjack, tournament play is one area I've never really gotten too in depth in. The first piece of real advice I'd give you is to get Wong's tournament strategy book; it's only $20, or $9 to download to a kindle.
After that, to throw my semi-educated guesses in to the mix. I would still play slower out of the gate. Either way you're going to have to bet big eventually, so why not let them try to bust themselves out first? It's almost like a free roll. If they bust out, you're fine sitting where you are. If they make 50% of their stack, you know what you have to do. From my understanding position and chip stack is SUPER important. Much like position in poker being able to act (bet) last so you get to see what everyone in front of you does is very important information.
If it's down to you and another guy essentially (he's the only one that can catch you) let's say you have 10k and he has 8k. He bets 2k, what do you do? Okay, now he bets 4k, what do you do? I hope you see how your decisions are based off his stack and what he bets, and obviously a lot less on what the count is, etc. Though if you go through 5 rounds and it happens to be hideously negative or positive, then that might barely come in to play.
Just my barely educated tournament understanding. Again, my real advice would be to get Wong's book =P.
I swear you live on here Romes :P I to dont dabble much in the tournament world and when I have it has been 20 hand, as a card counter I find it more profitable to just back count tables rather then play tournaments... But now I have a free seat at this tournament and really wish I had more time to study! They gave me less then a week notice...
Quote: avenged43I swear you live on here Romes :P I to dont dabble much in the tournament world and when I have it has been 20 hand, as a card counter I find it more profitable to just back count tables rather then play tournaments... But now I have a free seat at this tournament and really wish I had more time to study! They gave me less then a week notice...
Ha, I work on a computer, so I may or may not alt-tab every now and then after getting some stuff done. Notice I rarely ever post on the weekends? =D
Well do let us know some things you learn from your experience to help all of us with our tournament strategy!
Quote: RomesHa, I work on a computer, so I may or may not alt-tab every now and then after getting some stuff done. Notice I rarely ever post on the weekends? =D
Well do let us know some things you learn from your experience to help all of us with our tournament strategy!
Kicks off tommorow night so maybe late tommorow or on the 25th I will post up any observations I make for future reference.
~RCX
Quote: avenged43Hellllllll yesssss!!! Made it 2nd place for 15k! Played passive 3-4 hands and let 5 people bust out 3 tables in a row then just held a lead on the last player last hand came down to if I should split or not, 3rd was 7.5 and 1st was 25, I wasnt feeling greedy so I stood to stay in 2nd, always wonder what would of happened but as an advantage player and not a gambler I feel 100% confident in my choice
Great job!!!
What was the structure of the tournament? Was it just a total of 7 people or were multiple tables playing? Were there betting limits on the rounds or could you bet everything you had on any hand? How many people from each table advanced to the next round?
I enjoy BJ tournaments but rarely play them any more. There is a lot of strategy in bigger tournaments. I have never played one with only seven hands.
Quote: DRichGreat job!!!
What was the structure of the tournament? Was it just a total of 7 people or were multiple tables playing? Were there betting limits on the rounds or could you bet everything you had on any hand? How many people from each table advanced to the next round?
I enjoy BJ tournaments but rarely play them any more. There is a lot of strategy in bigger tournaments. I have never played one with only seven hands.
It was 980 players, first table was 7 hand 100k start 1k-100k bet, 2nd table was same as first, 3rd table was 10 hands but otherwise same, and 4th table was same rules 12 hands with an additional 13th bet as a "secret bet" where you write down the bet so other players cant play off your bet. Each table only had 1 person advance and it was 7 people per table and the dealer.
2nd out of 980 is good in my book *Insert big ass smiley face here* lol.
Honestly I had a tough time come up in my life and started running 5 miles a day and reading the bible and was praying for change one night when I got the call for the free seat in the tournament and took it as a sign... I honestly ended each round with about ~170k in chips and led by ~2k on the last hand of every table, I believe the man upstairs took care of me in all honesty. One of the tables something told me to hold back one of the 25k chips and the leader copied my bet the same way he did all game and he got dealt a 19 and I got dealt a 9 which I doubled for less with that 25k and took the lead.... pretty exciting stuff!
Quote: avenged43Hellllllll yesssss!!! Made it 2nd place for 15k! Played passive 3-4 hands and let 5 people bust out 3 tables in a row then just held a lead on the last player last hand came down to if I should split or not, 3rd was 7.5 and 1st was 25, I wasnt feeling greedy so I stood to stay in 2nd, always wonder what would of happened but as an advantage player and not a gambler I feel 100% confident in my choice
CONGRATS! So how did you play the tournament? Did you bet small at the beginning to see how others did, or did you go for the throat right from the start? I'd love to know what strategy you took, if you'd make any changes if you got to do it again, etc =).
Quote: RomesCONGRATS! So how did you play the tournament? Did you bet small at the beginning to see how others did, or did you go for the throat right from the start? I'd love to know what strategy you took, if you'd make any changes if you got to do it again, etc =).
Every table ~4 player went cut throat and dropped slightly below or busted out completly. I played the first 2 or 3 hands passive the next 2 or 3 situationally, and the last 2 hands as the take over / hold. It is the same strategy that many of the tournament players use but they play on the bigger scale of more like 7 passive 7 situational 3 take over 3 hold, I had to cut out the takeover / hold into 1 section because like everyone has been saying 7 hands isnt anything. The 10 hand seat I did a 3 passive 3 situational 3 takeover and final hand as a make or break. I think what set me apart from every other player is I don't ever believe in all in. Almost every last hand I kept a 25k bet and it really did save me on the third table when I was matched by the leader who thought he could hold the lead on me and I was dealt a 9 and he was dealt a 19 and I doubled for less to steal the lead. The reason I kept that 25k chip on that seat was he was the chair after me and literally matched me EVERY hand. So I knew when I was the lead bet on the final hand he was going to pull the same crap so I knew I was going for a double or split no matter what I did. In this case he got dealt the hard 19 while I got the 9 for an easy double against a 6 to take the lead and move to finals. I think there is nothing about my strategy that I would change. You will notice on the final hand if you are in 2nd place the leader will always match you (happens 99% of the time in the tournaments I have ran) so I find that keeping a decent bit back (enough to hold 2nd but not drop to third if everyone wins their hands) works excellently to help you take the lead. My theory is if the leader over matches you and its a loss you take the lead because he over bet, but if he under bets you then you take the lead from an all win, so the only choice a leader really has is to match you and if you have enough to rely on for a double / split you can use it as a safety net.
Quote: RomesThanks for the info! Like I said earlier, tournaments are one thing I could definitely learn a lot more about. From the little I know I would have done almost the exact same approach as you (passive, situational, take over / hold). Again, I'm glad it worked out for you. Nice win =). What did you do with the promotional chips? Do you get to keep them if you win a bet with them?
It was make it trade it.... I walked with 8500 which still for a free tournament is fine by me lol
Quote: avenged43It was make it trade it.... I walked with 8500 which still for a free tournament is fine by me lol
...$15k on the don't pass for me then. lol, I'm sure I could find a better way to play it =p. Sounds like you got more than half value, which is generally what 'make it trade it' free play is worth! Great job again!
Quote: avenged43It was make it trade it.... I walked with 8500 which still for a free tournament is fine by me lol
Sweet, avenged! Well played!
or when.?
Quote: neverquitwhenupWhere is the tourney<>
or when.?
Already passed sorry
Quote: Romes...$15k on the don't pass for me then. lol, I'm sure I could find a better way to play it =p. Sounds like you got more than half value, which is generally what 'make it trade it' free play is worth! Great job again!
Sadly its my home casino and they put a "Only allowed to be played in the highrollers room" rule on it, means no mid shoe entry and pit bosses out the wazoo, 8500 was playing boarderline agressive and any more then that I would of been backed off in my home casino =/
