Why would you not top up?

corblimey

This probably comes down to maths or +/- ev or something, but I don't really get it.

In one of the tournies down here, you can rebuy or topup. For the same price as the buy-in, you get 3000 more chips. The considered opinion of those in the room is that if you're getting less than 25% more chips, there's no value in doing a topup. So if you have 12000 or more chips, don't bother. But surely, another 3000 is another 3000, -ev or not.

ianmc38

I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't top up.

Culchie

I don't top up if the top up does not increase my stack by 30%.

If you add 2000 chips to a 41000 stack, and average stack is 5000 .... it has no relevance really to the end game.

ollyk1

It's all about the table and what the stack sizes will be after the break for me.

Imposter

If you're in the top few in the tournament and you'll still be chip leader at your table without a top-up then there's no need to do one imo. I suppose the cost of the top up compared to the number of rebuys you've had, the prizepool and your stack could also mean doing a top-up while not being chipleader at the table is a good idea.

JoeyJJ

Same here, whats the point if its not incresing your stack significantly, played a game in the Submarine on Wed, guy topped up 3,000 and already had 18,000 or so in chips, in my opinion if you can't win with 18, 21 isn't going to give you much more of a chance.

sleepypriest

I’ll stop lurking for this one.

Different situations give rise to different actions

I personally usually top up in “pub tourneys” no matter what my chips are.

My reasoning behind this when I have a large stack (over 12k) and the top up is 3k is. Just after the break in most of these tourneys it is usually like a train crash. The amount of people who go out at this point is phenomenal. I like to use the top up to sit back and let them knock each other out during this period. The top up usually buys you 5 orbits (post break blinds usually 200/400). It usually doesn’t take as long as 5 orbits for the tourney to settle back down, but when it does you are usually in a strong position with regards to the rest of the field.

Obviously there will be a couple of people who have monster stacks after the train crash period but these people rarely if ever win the whole thing.

The above is based on over 40 runners in the field and on the fact it’s a pub tourney and blind structure that usually applies at these.

Back to lurking

Culchie

sleepypriest wrote:

I’ll stop lurking for this one.

Different situations give rise to different actions

I personally usually top up in “pub tourneys” no matter what my chips are.

My reasoning behind this when I have a large stack (over 12k) and the top up is 3k is. Just after the break in most of these tourneys it is usually like a train crash. The amount of people who go out at this point is phenomenal. I like to use the top up to sit back and let them knock each other out during this period. The top up usually buys you 5 orbits (post break blinds usually 200/400). It usually doesn’t take as long as 5 orbits for the tourney to settle back down, but when it does you are usually in a strong position with regards to the rest of the field.

Obviously there will be a couple of people who have monster stacks after the train crash period but these people rarely if ever win the whole thing.

The above is based on over 40 runners in the field and on the fact it’s a pub tourney and blind structure that usually applies at these.

Back to lurking

Hi Sleepy,

Whilst I understand your stategy, it's not one I'd agree with.

If you have a large stack at break time, you've got that (presumably) by getting your chips in when you were ahead and getting paid off.

You may have seen Ian's post on the S/E last night.

'Sitting Back' after the break is not a strategy that can result in many tourney wins. You may scrape into the money on a couple of occasions, you may indeed win one or two, but to have a consistently good chance of winning tourneys, you have to play poker.

You're basically paying another entry fee into a tournament you have a good stack to win with. A better and I suggest more profitable approach is keep playing your good poker, and get your chips in against the All-In merchants when you are ahead, don't be afraid of them. Sure you will get sucked out on every so often, but in the long run, you will be ahead significantly.

BTW in the case you mention (12k stack) in a pub tourney I think I would top us as well, as it is +25% .... but 25% would be my minimum criteria, 30% in a regular casino/tourney game.

sleepypriest

As I mentioned this is only for pub tourneys, usually at the ones I play there is up to 20% of the field left who won’t survive 5 rounds of the blinds. I personally like to sit back and watch them knock each other out. Don’t get me wrong if I get a big pair or AK AQ in late position I’ll play and make everyone pay to play. But I will let lesser hands I’d normally play go during this period.

I resume my normal game once most of the low stacks are gone.

My limited experience (7 or 8) of non pub live games I rarely top up if I have enough chips after the break.

I’ll be in the anglers tonight applying my ground breaking theory, although I probably will be the one knocked out first organising a cash game

Culchie

sleepypriest wrote:

I’ll be in the anglers tonight applying my ground breaking theory, although I probably will be the one knocked out first organising a cash game

I think I'll go to this tonight actually as well, Mrs Culchie out on the town, so this suits the schedule nicely, as I'm designated taxi-driver tonight.

eirebhoy

I played a pub game with my brother last night. He had 26,000 chips after the first hour but didn't top up. He didn't even make the top 3 but I don't feel topping up by 3,000 would have made much difference. I must say that he did get 3,000 free for having the best hand within the hour (4 aces).

Culchie

eirebhoy wrote:

I must say that he did get 3,000 free for having the best hand within the hour (4 aces).

wtf? This is disgraceful, where was this?

eirebhoy

Culchie wrote:

wtf? This is disgraceful, where was this?

Murray's. They offer all sorts of bonuses. Every week the best hand before the break gets 3,000. 1,000 is thrown on once or twice for the winner of the next hand. €50 was given to someone who could win a hand with a pair of aces and someone got it.

JoeyJJ

was hoping to make it to the anglers tonight but dont think i can, mrs has other plans for me....