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Silver-State • Strategy: How to Play Double or Nothing Tournaments
by Indy1701e |
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You can find this article and many others at www.PokerStrategy.com
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Unlike classic Sit and Go (SnG) and multi-table tournaments, DoNs do not have a scaled prize structure. You either get two buy-ins back, or nothing at all. They are kind of like qualifier tournaments, and are often played out in similar fashion. You don't have to be among the top three to be in the money; 5th place is as good as 1st in a 10 player DoN.
Survival is much more important than in a normal SnG. Having a big stack is certainly advantageous, but there's no extra payout for taking 1st place. All these factors make playing in DoNs easier on the one hand, but require adjustments to your basic game plan on the other.
This article will shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of DoNs. You will also be given a strategy to play them profitably. You will learn about the phases of a DoN and the differences between DoNs and SnGs.
Before you dive into this article, you should have a basic understanding of SnGs and how you play in the different phases of a tournament. You should also be familiar with the Independent Chip Model (ICM).
We also recommend that you reread the articles in the Beginner's Section and the Bronze Section. You should also have read the Silver article on the ICM.
Note: This article will deal solely with full-ring DoNs.
Like all variations of poker, DoNs have their own characteristics. The next section will discuss the advantages and disadvantages in DoNs and will help you decide whether you are better off playing DoNs or regular SnGs.
You may think you will have no problem winning DoNs, but don't forget where it all starts: Bankroll management. Your goal is to make your way up the limits without letting a downswing break your back.
As with regular SnGs, you should have at least 50 buy-ins in your bankroll to play a certain limit; this will help you survive the downswings. Be aware that you will need more time to make up your losses, as you can only double your buy-in.
The following chart shows you how to manage your bankroll when playing DoNs:
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Rake also plays a bigger role. As a beginner, you should look for a platform with very low rake.
You can learn more about bankroll management and what limits you can afford to play in this article: How to Play in a Tournament [http://www.pokerstrategy.com/strategy/sng/1347/]
You now know what a DoN is and the advantages and disadvantages involved. This section will introduce you to a strategy that will help you play these tournaments successfully. Keep in mind that this strategy alone won't turn you into a professional poker player. You have to work hard and constantly develop yourself as a player. Read the other strategy articles and take advantage of sample hand evaluation forums; they will help you on your way.
There are two keys to success in DoNs: playing tight and having information on your opponents. Observe your opponents, especially in the early phases of the tournament. Write down notes, they can help you make decisions later. You will also notice which opponents are regular players; be more cautious when playing against them.
Pay attention to the number of hands your opponents play. Loose players don't tend to perform well in DoNs. Tight opponents know what they are doing and have a strategy (often a successful one). If a tight player suddenly starts playing aggressively, you should get out of the way. He probably has a good hand.
As in every tournament, your play depends on the size of your stack. Your stack will be very large in relation to the blinds at the beginning of the tournament, but this (and your play) will change every time the blinds increase. You need a strategy for the early, middle and late phases of the tournament.
The early phase of a DoN is very similar to the early phase of a SnG. You play very tight from early position and loosen up a little in later positions.
You fold everything except QQ+ and AK from early position. Raise if you do pick up one of these hands. You can play JJ, depending on how aggressive the opponents behind you are, but don't get into the habit of limping.
You can add TT and JJ to your range in middle position. Pocket pairs can win big pots when they hit the flop, which makes limping with a middle pocket pair possible - just don't start doing it every time you catch one. Don't play small pocket pairs for set value unless you are in MP3 or later.
As we mentioned, it's important to observe your opponents and take notes on them. You can fold small pocket pairs without second thought when you have an aggressive opponent behind you.
You can add AQ, AJ and KQ to your range once you reach late position, but you will have to fold these hands to a raise. Risking a few chips on a raise is one thing, losing a lot calling a reraise is another.
You should avoid calling raises in general. Fold weak hands and raise with strong hands.
Always be aware of your goal: You don't just want to survive the early phase, you want to take enough chips into the middle phase to play your game comfortably. Just like any other SnG, a DoN doesn't really get interesting until you reach the last phase, and that is exactly where you want end up.
The middle phase in a DoN is similar to the middle phase in a SnG. The important thing is making it through this phase. You have to adjust your strategy, since every decision now costs more in chips. You should play much tigher in general and should no longer limp with small pocket pairs.
Your game stays the same when you are in early position; you raise first in with AA, KK, QQ and AK. Limping is a poor idea in general; if you are going to play JJ, raise.
Raise first in with TT+, AK and AQ from middle position; once again, avoid limping.
Don't change your game up too much in late/blind positions. You can try to steal with a small pocket pair if everyone folds in front of you and the opponents behind you are not too aggressive. If, however, you get raised, you will have to lay down your hand.
It's important to adapt to your opponents. Avoid getting involved in pots with deep stacks; attack the pot when playing against short and middle stacks.
Once the blinds reach substantial size, stealing will become a more important part of the game (and your game, too). You can try stealing a tight opponent's blind; but remember, steals can only be successful against opponents who can lay down a hand. Expect short stacks to defend their blinds with a wide range of hands.
Don't call raises. Ask yourself if your hand is good enough for a reraise or even an all-in. If not, it probably isn't strong enough to call with, either.
This is where SnGs and DoNs differ most. Now you are either in the money and double your buy-in, or you get nothing. There is no point in risking your stack now for a larger share of the pot later on.
The Independent Chip Model (ICM) shows us why you can risk your stack for a larger share of a SnG prize pool, whereas there is little sense in doing so in a DoN.
You can win up to 50% of the prize pool in a 10 handed SnG, but only if you take 1st. Since, however, you can only win 20% of the prize pool in a DoN, there is little to be won by pushing.
Example: You are on the bubble in a $5 DoN. Each of the 6 remaining players has a 2500 chip stack and thereby owns 16.66% of the prize pool. Winning an all-in only increases your share of the prize pool to 20%.
With a $50 prize pool each 2500 chip stack is worth app. $8.33. Going all-in means risking $8.33 for the chance to win an additional $1.67.
The following chart illustrates this more clearly:
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Given a $50 prize pool you risk $12.50 for the chance to win an additional $6.65. The risk/benefit ratio is considerably better than in a DoN. Additionally each double up increases your chance for the first prize which represents a full 50% of the prize pool.
The following chart illustrates this more clearly:
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As you can see, surviving the bubble is worth more in a SnG than a DoN. Chips are also worth more in $. Your share of the prize pool can continue to increase (up to 50%) in a SnG, but is limited to max. 20% in a DoN.
You can therefore take more risks and play with a wider hand range in a SnG than in a DoN. Understanding this will give you a distinct advantage against "normal" players and is the key to success in DoNs.
Your starting hand range depends on your opponents and the size of their stacks. You can use the Push or Fold Chart as a guideline.
Be tighter when pushing and only call an all-in with a monster hand. Whether or not you can push depends on your position and the opponents still in the hand. You can push with a looser range against very tight opponents, but don't over do it; remember, winning an all-in barely increases your share of the prize pool.
Folding is usually the best move against very aggressive opponents. Let aggressive opponents knock each other out until you are in the money. Just be careful not to be too passive, or the blinds will eat away at your stack and force you to go all-in with a less than ideal hand. You also generate less fold equity when you push with a small stack.
Blind steals should be your standard move for surviving the bubble. You should have taken plenty of notes by now and know how your opponents are playing (i.e. who you can steal from).
You steal from opponents who have been playing tight, solid poker. They will usually fold and rarely call an all-in. Don't push against loose (or poor) players unless you have a really good hand, as they are more likely to call. There's no need to risk elimination this close to the money; surviving is much more important than increasing the size of your stack.
You should rarely call an opponent's all-in. Doing so would be taking an unnecessary risk. Loose opponents will push with a wide range, tight opponents with a small range. Calling an all-in from either one is dangerous: you will usually be behind against a tight opponent, and never know what you might be running into against a loose opponent. You're better off doing the pushing yourself and avoiding the trouble of making a difficult call.
Of course, there are situations in which you call an all-in, with AA or KK it should be automatic. Other hands can also be profitable when you have a very large or a very small stack. You don't have to risk much to call with a large stack, and doubling up when you are short stacked can mean making it to the money.
You will usually end up in the money if you can stick to these rules in the late phase of the tournament.
You have now learned how to play a DoN and seen the differences between DoNs and regular SnGs. You have also learned when you can push in a DoN.
Remember that this article only gave you a basic strategy to follow. There is a lot more work to be done.
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