There are many types of multi-table tournaments (MTTs) and one of the more growing variations is the Shootout. These types of tournaments are tricky to master, but any player has the ability to take them on and cash big. The characteristics of a Shootout tournament are that every player at a table is at a “final table”. Unlike in other MTTs where players are shuffled from table to table until the end, to move on the player must be the last player standing at their table to move on.
Each table feels like a single SNG tournament that is part of a bigger web of tables. The first thing any Shootout player should do is find out the payout structure. Be sure that each player that wins their table is paid out in the prize pool as it is not a small task to take down the whole table.
Basic Shootout Strategy
Play with controlled aggression. You are there to win your table, not try to stumble your way into the cash. You must play to win at all times. If you are a successful SNG player a Shootout tournament may just be perfect for you. The first bit of advice is to start playing more hands than you would normally in the early stages of a MTT.
If you fall behind quickly by letting one or more opponents dominate the chip counts you will have a mountain to climb instead of being the one on top. Steal blinds early and often when in late position. Punish those that try to limp into seeing a flop by raising and forcing them to make a move. In the early stages remember that to fall behind is like walking the first hour into a marathon and then trying to win it by sprinting.
As a few players start to fall off the table try to pick your spots to increase your stack level if you are a middle stack. If you are a big stack be ready to pounce on the lowest stacks with marginal to premium hands. The small stacks will most likely be moving to a fold or shove strategy if play drops to 3-5 players and the blinds are high. The blind levels should be rising pretty well at this point forcing the smallest stacks to become aggressive or lose. They too know that to win cash they have to win the table.
After the First Table
Since you are likely going to at least get your money back for making the final table, your strategy should be a little tighter, but still prepared to move aggressively when you have to. As a player who wins a table the only initial drawback is that everyone at the new table will begin this part of the tournament at the same level of chips. You have no competitive advantage. Because you are already in the money you can continue to pick your spots with less aggression in the beginning and revert back to your more typical SNG strategy.
Your hand range should be more open throughout the whole tournament then you would have during a regular MTT. This means moderate suited connectors are excellent cards to hold when raising or re-raising pre-flop. Aggression is the name of the game. Don’t be timid.
David Tubbs - David is a graduate of the University of Waterloo with an Honours B.A. in History with a focus on medieval Europe. While his formal ...
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