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I've been using the Hellmuth strategy of loosening up and getting super aggressive near the bubble, where everyone else tends to tighten up, and it has helped tremendously. I have gone from last place to 10th before and I cannot believe how easily people will give up a hand just because they want to squeeze into the money. My trouble is, afterwards I start sliding down again. I keep loose so as to enter the pots (which, with the antes, have become huge) and I'm not aggressive because after everyone is ITM they tend to become stronger and won't back down as easily. How should I be playing after the bubble is gone?Note: I'm actually referring to mainly non-Texas Hold Em games like 7 Card Stud 8+ and Omaha 8+, but this happens (though not as drastically) in Texas HE games as well.

Here's the thing. you sound like a fairly new player, what you are doing is trying to see too many hands with the blinds that big. You see when you are that deep into the tournament you cannot see many flops. What you want to be doing is if you decide to play a hand in that stage of the tournament you should be raising big preflop. That is why your chips seems to dwindle, tournament poker is all about variation in your game, such as when people are on the bubble of the money and you are buying pots, as soon as you get in the money you have to change gears because you wont be able to buy a pot as easily.When you are watching the WSOP and WPT on TV that is not usually how poker players play, those are just highlight hands. Next time you are at a late stage in the tournament in the money with huge blinds, try to see less flops but you have to manage to steal the blinds. Wait for good hands or if you have position on the person try to steal the blinds. At the later stages you can give a nice 4x bb raise with almost anything and take the blinds down.I guess the point im trying to get across is there is a big difference in being loose and being aggressive. The problem with most new players is they are overly loose and overly aggressive and are too afraid to give up a hand. If you know you are beat you should fold the hand. I see WAY TOO MANY players continue to bet when it is obvious the opponent is not going to fold.

just chill man....you are zero for 16 in tournaments.....helmuth is like 12 for 265,000 not much better. statically about the same but you overall have lost far less money.

Judas,You're playing great near the bubble. A terrific (but dangerous) strategy that'll get you in solid shape for the big run.Problem is, you're playing the worst possible strategy after that. Once you get in, you're going loose/passive. That's a sure recipe for an early exit.When the blinds are that big, they're worth winning all by themselves. That means play aggressively. Either loose aggressive, if that's your personal style, or tight aggressive if you can. Tight aggressive would be better, because you've been playing loose aggressive to get TO the money, and by now, some players'll want to get revenge.

I have a question. Can you recommend any good books about tournament poker? Tried my luck with some of those online poker tips I found but that didn't really improve my game. Thanks in advance for the recommendations.