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Message: [QUOTE="Gingerbeer86, post: 6941532, member: 1037945"] Hey guys, I am new to the MTT higher stakes in my region, where we are playing buy ins from $500 up to $5,000. I am actively seeking to enhance my skills, however without a network to discuss (I am pretty much a poker loner), it is difficult to bounce the below areas that I know need improvement, hence why I have decided to join here and seek out any suggestions on where to look to enhance my challenges below. First and foremost, I have been searching the web for the best interactive / most beneficial poker course / training that is suited to the areas where I need to improve, other than the generic one fits all courses that appear to be all I am finding. Being in Australia, it is difficult to find a poker coach or mentor, particularly when I am versing these guys on almost all major events that circulate. If by any chance there is anyone willing to work with me, I would be more than happy to consider. Specifically, I would appreciate: - Where to find best one on one training? - The best course available online or elsewhere, suiting MTT mid to high stakes Poker - Any Australian Poker Players that would be interested in coaching or mentoring. In the previous 12 months, I have played approximately 100 tournaments, won 2, Final tabled 4, Cashed in about 4 more and had a lot of early to mid departures with most departures being day 1 of multi day tournaments, other than the deep runs. In summary, 100 tournaments, 10 cashes ~ 10% ITM Anyhow, see below my thoughts on where I need to improve, and I would welcome any assistance that may be offered in response, and appreciate your input in advance. [B][U]Early Stages:[/U][/B] I am unsure how to play the early stages, as I have had variable success on every approach I have tried, whether that be tight and wait for premium hands, or widening a range and playing a little more agressively. I undersant variance has a large part to play, however I feel that the early stages is my weakest point given the results to date. I am wondering where to look here, as no matter what approach I feel I put forward, it always seems to be that the same players make day two with average stacks or thereabouts, and I only make day 2 or ITM very rarely in comparison. Even in the deep stack tournaments (200bb start), with 30-60min levels, I feel that I cannot keep up with the average stack and always lead to a point early on where I am feeling the pressure of blinds, or pressure from larger stacks running over the top with larger 3 bets. So the question or requested guidance here is: - Is it better to play tighter in the long run early on, with less hands and risking less chips on wider ranges, until a certain stack size compared to average in the early-mid levels? - Is there an approximate balance of your starting stack, or number of bb portion that can be used for wider range play, then transition to a tighter range upon reaching a certain level of bb or % of average stack? - How do you manage what the balance is? Using strict GTO or close to, still renders the same results on average? [B]Essentially, what is the best guidance for early stage MTT's, that would lead to a better success rate of reaching the early to mid stages with an average stack? [U]Early Mid Stages (Before Bubble)[/U][/B] On the odd occasions where I have surpassed the above challenges, I reach a point of having a decent stack, and this is the part where I really enjoy the game, and feel most comfortable. There is no BB pressure, a lot of the play becomes what feels "structured" and suits my game very well. Where it falls down is the cooler or the bad beat, which I understand everyone experiences and there is no prevention, however I do believe I need to seek some improvement here. A couple of examples of recent eliminations in this portion of the game: [B][U]QQ Vs KK (40bb)[/U][/B] 1.5 average stack, 20% of field remaining, UTG raises, I 3 bet on the button with QQ, UTG All In. During this tank, I considered the stack size and what I would be left with if I called and lost. I would be left with 15bb and considered this to be an ok call, knowing that whilst my stack would be crippled, I could still have a chance to recover. Following this, I also considered the % chances of running up against KK or AA, and essentially it was a coin flip in my head as to whether it would be either of these two hands, Vs AX or a lower pair. Deciding to call, I was up against KK and therefore the previous 8 hours of effort and results were crippled, with an elimination a short while later. [B][U]Question[/U][/B][U]: At what point is folding QQ to a pre-flop all in acceptable? Should I have considered it here?[/U] [B][U]AK Vs 44 (45bb)[/U][/B] Again a 1.5 Average Stack, close to the bubble, I raise pre-flop with AK on the CO, and I am called by the BB. Flop comes AAQ, where it is checked to me. I believe my error was in checking behind, however was intending to slow play what I thought was close to the nuts. If pre-flop was raised to me, I would never have checked behind, however in this instance, being against the BB, I intended to trap or induce the bluff. The turn was a 4, where it was again checked to me where I proceeded to place a 2/3 pot size bet, which is called. On the river, it was an 8, and I was faced with a pot sized bet, which was half my stack, where I was holding a set of A's with the K kicker. After a small tank, hoping I was up against A(low X), I called and was greeted with pocket 4's which gave them the full house. This was quite a devastating one for me as all I could think was why did I check the flop and not close it out then and there. [B][U]Question: [/U][/B][U]Should I have folded here?, noting no 3 bet preflop and up against the BB? Secondly, was it an error checking the flop?[/U] [B][U]88 Vs AK (15bb) (GTO I believe was correct, but should I have shoved in the first few hands on a new table on day 2)[/U][/B] Following the above hand, the second day of the tournament I was dealt pocket 88's on the button, and was facing a 3bb raise by UTG that was folded around to me. Noting that GTO outlines this as a shove every day of the week, I did so and was called by UTG who turned over AK. Unfortunately AQAXX was the runout and I was on my way. I am comfortable that this instance was the right move, however thinking back, it was early on the day (First few hands) and maybe I should have waited to get a feel for the table. [U][B]Question:[/B] Should I have waited here for a later spot, or did I make the right move?[/U] [B][U]IN SUMMARY: To summarise the above, I would really appreciate guidance on how to maximise reaching the middle stages of tournaments, so I can increase the % of play for where I believe I am most sufficient and comfortable at this stage of my skills? Lastly, during the mid play of an MTT, at what point is it advisable to risk your tournament life, when you have a decent stack, with hands like QQ, JJ, AK and even a set of AAA after all action, similar to the scenarios above?[/U][/B] Thank you all [/QUOTE]

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