Do you like Phil Hellmuth Jr's advice.


Ask a Pro


Dear Phil:
In
small stakes tournament play, I quite often reach the final two or
three positions. Regardless of my chip lead cards seem to go cold and I
end up in the second or third position 70% of the time. What strategy
would help me?
Thanks, Phil.
Ed.
Dear Ed:
If
this has happened to you say, over ten times, then your problem is
probably that you undervalue hands when three handed and heads up. If
it has only happened 5-9 times, than it could easily be just bad luck.
I can't help you with bad luck, but in the case where it has happened
over ten times and you're undervaluing hands, then you need to be more
aggressive when in the final three. This means: first, reraise all in
with weaker holdings like K-Q or a small pair figuring that your
opponent will fold most times, and when they do call, at least you have
chance to win the tournament right then and there!
Second,
play your draws aggressively, with the same reasoning as above. Third,
do not be afraid to trap with a huge hand, like A-A, K-K, or Q-Q
pre-flop, or when you flop, or turn, a straight, or two pair.
FYI
- if you are under valuing hands, then you may be folding winners, or
playing smaller pots then you should be playing. Like when you have
Q-10 and it comes Qd-Jh-7s, this may be a hand to get away from 8
handed, but may be a hand to move all in with three handed (depending
on stack size). Good luck!
Phil

What do you think.
Good Advice.
So So Advice.
Great Advice.

After all it's only Phil Hellmuth Jr answering the question.

Well... not that I'm a big fan of his, which I'm not, his advice in this situation is very good. Probably ANY advice he would have is good that pertains to playing poker.... like 11 bracelets worth! LOL!

If you were playing 3 handed much the same as say... 8, or 7 handed... it could definitely be the reason why you didn't win more. 3 handed or heads up... IS a totally different game for sure. His advice is on the money.... like check out the money he has won! LOL! Taking his advice about how to play different aspects of the game... I don't think you could go wrong. I would not, however say that he is a good ambassador of the game of poker... far from it in my opinion. Just my 2 cents... not that it's really worth that.. lol!

I agree on the several of the points he makes about short handed and heads up play....people tend to undervalue hands at this point in a tourny and get a little tenitive/nervous about winning(or being that close to it)...open up card selection more get a little more aggressive but don't go crazy.
Also agree with Datsme thay any advice from a "pro" of that caliber is great advice....Buuuutt ...his gamemanship at the tables most times is (to be kind) less than cordial shall we say ...I would not like to be at a table with him in a foul mood and the good of his Ambassadorship is he is flambouyant in his apperances,attracting alot of attention/anticipation of what will he do next and he does a lot of charity works in the name of professianal/online poker.