When you get to the final table of an MTT and you’ve got just a couple of players left between you and a big score (not to mention the glory of the win), putting together a game plan can often work in your favour. In part 3 of this series (‘Finishing off a tournament’) we looked at the key factors in the closing stages of a final table: relative stack sizes and opponent types.
By cross-referencing these factors you should be able to formulate a coherent plan and keep adjusting it as the game dynamics shift. Here’s an example of how you might plan a heads-up strategy against a type 1 (tight, predictable) opponent at the various stack-relationship stages.
Stage 1 (You have a huge chip advantage)
Raise a standard amount every hand out of the SB. Raise if he limps in the SB when you are the BB. Fold to any raises unless you have a big hand. You don’t want to move all-in against this type of player as he’ll only call you when you’re behind and this is not the type of player you want to double-up.
Stage 2 (You have a significant chip advantage)
Play the same as in stage 1. If you do see a flop against this type of player, there’s only one way to play him. Trap with your big hands, fold all others. If he raises preflop, he’s more than likely going to bet postflop, so check-raise or bet small to induce the big raise if you hit the flop hard. He’s also likely not to give you the right price to draw, so avoid these kinds of hands against him.
Stage 3 (You are about even in chips)
Play the same as in stage 2. This type of player simply isn’t going to play any hands with you unless they have something, so raise, raise, raise any time they limp or any time you are the SB – your cards are irrelevant. As in stage 2, you want to trap them with your big hands, as that’s how you’re going to bust them – sometimes it’s okay to call a raise with a hand like 8-7 suited when they have raised in order to try to hit a big flop where they over-commit themselves with an overpair.
Stage 4 (You are at a significant chip disadvantage)
You don’t need to move all-in against this type of player in the hopes of getting lucky and levelling things up. Simply do as in the previous stages and you’ll gradually chip away your opponent’s chip lead.
Stage 5 (You are at a huge chip disadvantage)
The play for stage 5 is the same for all opponent types. You’re simply going to have to stick it in, hope you don’t get called and win enough blinds/antes to move up to the next stage, or get lucky and double through. You don’t have time to sit back and wait for hands when you are at such a big disadvantage.
Read part III