Propane Goat
Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't
Moderator
One of the most (if not THE most) important things to keep in mind is that you have to open up your range as the number of players at the table is reduced.
As far as table mechanics go, you're essentially down to playing as if you were in a single-table tournament, but the difference here is that you're likely much more emotionally invested in the outcome because of the amount of time and effort it has taken to get to the final table in the first place. For some players, this makes them more likely to try and play it safe which means that they're actually playing scared. There is a huge difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.
Playing to win doesn't mean playing recklessly, but it does mean being willing to take calculated risks. For example, folding AJo to a pre-flop all-in early in the tournament is likely the best move. However, when you're getting eaten alive at the FT by the blinds and antes, the game is down to 4-5 players and everyone is short-stacked, that AJo starts looking like a much stronger hand and in nearly all cases you should be getting your chips in the middle.
As far as table mechanics go, you're essentially down to playing as if you were in a single-table tournament, but the difference here is that you're likely much more emotionally invested in the outcome because of the amount of time and effort it has taken to get to the final table in the first place. For some players, this makes them more likely to try and play it safe which means that they're actually playing scared. There is a huge difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.
Playing to win doesn't mean playing recklessly, but it does mean being willing to take calculated risks. For example, folding AJo to a pre-flop all-in early in the tournament is likely the best move. However, when you're getting eaten alive at the FT by the blinds and antes, the game is down to 4-5 players and everyone is short-stacked, that AJo starts looking like a much stronger hand and in nearly all cases you should be getting your chips in the middle.
F
fundiver199
Legend
Loyaler
The special thing about the final table is, that usually each player, that bust, is now associated with a payjump. So the key adjustment is to understand, how this affect the strategy of everyone at the table. Sometimes this is referred to as ICM (Independant Chip Model), which basically mean, that chips lost is worth more than chips won, which create risk aversion.
* The short stacks should play relatively normal and try to accumulate chips. Maybe they call off a bit more conservative, especially if there are more than one player with a similar short stack. Like you are the shortie with 9BB, but two other players have 10BB and 12BB. Then there is value in trying to outlast them.
* The big stacks open up their range and try to pressure shorter stacks but avoid big pots against each other. Like you are the chip leader with 60BB, but the second in chips have 55BB, so you do not want to play some massive pot with him and potentially drop down to 5BB.
* The medium stacks need to tighten up except against short stacks. If you have 27BB, you really dont want to go broke, as long as 3 guys are sitting with 9, 10 and 12 BB respectively. So say you are HJ and look down at JTs, which would normally be a hand, you open. But you have both chipleaders as well as two short stacks left to act. So if you open this hand, a lot of the time a short stack will jam on you, or a big stack will enter the pot, and both of that put you in a really bad spot. And for that reason you fold and basically hope, that some of the short stacks will soon bust.
* The short stacks should play relatively normal and try to accumulate chips. Maybe they call off a bit more conservative, especially if there are more than one player with a similar short stack. Like you are the shortie with 9BB, but two other players have 10BB and 12BB. Then there is value in trying to outlast them.
* The big stacks open up their range and try to pressure shorter stacks but avoid big pots against each other. Like you are the chip leader with 60BB, but the second in chips have 55BB, so you do not want to play some massive pot with him and potentially drop down to 5BB.
* The medium stacks need to tighten up except against short stacks. If you have 27BB, you really dont want to go broke, as long as 3 guys are sitting with 9, 10 and 12 BB respectively. So say you are HJ and look down at JTs, which would normally be a hand, you open. But you have both chipleaders as well as two short stacks left to act. So if you open this hand, a lot of the time a short stack will jam on you, or a big stack will enter the pot, and both of that put you in a really bad spot. And for that reason you fold and basically hope, that some of the short stacks will soon bust.
Nemamiah
Rock Star
Platinum Level
My problem with final table is that everyone just goes all-in, so I tend to play very very tight, specially if I am the chip leader. In this case I keep trying to dry them with antes, it doesn't feel correct, but I don't know (yet) how to play these. Still learning on the Cards Chat course. Any tips on advance?
Dushka
Rock Star
Platinum Level
At the final table, if you have a small stack, you should give others a chance to get out, and if you are the chip leader, then push with your stack.
R.Melnyk77
Visionary
Platinum Level
The strategy and tactics at the final table largely depend on the situation, how your opponents play, the size of your stack and the stack of your opponents. As a rule, the pressure is always very strong and I usually try to be patient and catch my opponents on their ill-considered decisions or mistakes. Basically, I just wait for my opponents to make a mistake and try to make the best of the situation.
sandy358
Rock Star
Platinum Level
ICM is definitely the most important thing at the final table. (Early) final table is the spot where the ICM pressure is the highest, and IIRC it is even higher than on the bubble (though as lesser people are left, lesser is the ICM pressure). So prepare to nit if you are a midstack or terrorize the table if you are the chip leader.
Vallet
Legend
Platinum Level
For me, the most important thing is to prepare for the final table. Nothing should interfere or distract. Any actions of the opponents during the game must be taken into account. Even if they're playing against each other, you're putting yourself in their shoes.
Ruslan L
Legend
Platinum Level
I try to play with focus and not get distracted. Sometimes it's quite difficult because I play an average of four tables at the same time, but overall, I try not to lose concentration and follow the game closely. The main thing, in my opinion, is your ability to focus on the game that is most important to you, i.e., the final table.
