Making final tables
Dear Antonio,
I've been playing tournaments for about six months now. I have no trouble making it to the middle stages, but I can't seem to "close the deal." I'm not reckless. I don't play crazy hands and I have the discipline to wait for good cards, but I can't crack any final tables, much less win the damn things. What am I doing wrong?
Middle Mike
Dear Mike,
You're not doing a damn thing wrong. You're just not doing enough damn things right. Anyone can wait for quality cards and make it to the middle of a tournament. Hell, a trained monkey can do that. But hand selection's only half the battle. You've got to get in there and drive the hands you get.
I haven't watched you play, but sight-unseen I can tell you that you're playing your strong hands too weakly. How do I know? Because that's what the middle-finishers always do! They fold when they should call, call when they should raise, and never, ever take control of their table with aggressiveness and reads. Get in there and mix it up! Be the straw that stirs the drink. Once you're the player other players are afraid to mess with, then you'll be in a position to win.
· Antonio
