Best Strategy for KO Tournaments – Play Tight or Go for Bounties?

Hey CardsChat members!

I’ve been playing a lot of Knockout (KO) tournaments lately, and I’m curious about the best overall approach. These events seem to reward aggressive play because of the bounty system, but at the same time, surviving deep is still super important.

Here are some thoughts I’ve been considering:

Should we adjust our opening ranges early on to hunt for bounties?

Is it worth calling wider when an opponent is all-in just to grab their bounty?

How do you balance going for bounties versus protecting your stack for the late game?

Personally, I’ve been trying to loosen up a bit when someone is short-stacked and has a bounty, but I’m worried about spewing chips early.

What’s your strategy in KO tournaments? Do you go bounty hunting aggressively, or do you play more like a standard MTT and let the bounties come naturally?

Looking forward to your tips and experiences!

I think they should be played naturally like regular MTTs but I think no one or the vast majority can avoid being more aggressive when it comes to knockouts and end up calling or betting with cards they normally wouldn't.
There are always those players called "fallen giant" is that player who knocked out several players and then lost almost all his chips and is very short on chips and with a big prize on his head so you are very tempted to win that prize

pc05bh said:

Should we adjust our opening ranges early on to hunt for bounties?

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Generally not since its very unlikely, a bounty will come into play in a random hand in the early game. If BB specifically is short, it might be worth opening a bit wider than normal, but we also need to consider the players in between.

pc05bh said:

Is it worth calling wider when an opponent is all-in just to grab their bounty?

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Yes of course. You are essentially getting better pot odds, and if only need 37% equity, you should obviously call wider than, if you need 43% equity.

pc05bh said:

How do you balance going for bounties versus protecting your stack for the late game?

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There are no tournaments, where "protecting your stack" has a high priority other than on the bubble and at or near the final table.

pc05bh said:

Personally, I’ve been trying to loosen up a bit when someone is short-stacked and has a bounty, but I’m worried about spewing chips early.

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Sounds like you are doing the right thing.

pc05bh said:

What’s your strategy in KO tournaments? Do you go bounty hunting aggressively, or do you play more like a standard MTT and let the bounties come naturally?

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The bounties are usually half the price pool, so its definitely a major leak to not adjust for them at all.

You have to play a good card and if you feel like the best job or you have to finish it with a knockout.

Also depends on whether it's regular ko or progressive ko. In progressive if someone has a fat bounty they definitely draw my attention especially if they got those bounties kickboxing early and their stack is dwindling

Rldetheflop said:

Also depends on whether it's regular ko or progressive ko. In progressive if someone has a fat bounty they definitely draw my attention especially if they got those bounties kickboxing early and their stack is dwindling

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That's luck boxing ( stupid autocorrect