Any advice on how to maintain focus in later rounds of MTT's online?

Question

I have been playing online poker for about 6 months and find that I only have success in 1-2 table sng's. Whenever I do enter larger events like 45 player sng's or tourneys I find my focus and decision making skills decrease dramatically after the first hour and a half. Often times I am still playing premium hands, but seem to lose the ability to put my opponent on a hand. This usually turns out to be fatal.

Is there advice that could help or should I just stick to playing single table events?

Thanks

Answer 1

It depends, if you play fo the money play where you win, if you play for be better play where you lose. Only by losing you can learn some things that will make you better.

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Answer 2

Once you get to the later stages of a multi table tournament, better players' strategy changes.  This is why you might not be having much success putting your opponents on hands.  If you have a decent, above average chip stack, pick your spots depending on position and loosen up with your hand selection.  When you are up against lower stacks who are trying to make the bubble, you might be able to buy a hand.  Don't risk all of your chips when you aren't sure you have the nuts when you go up against a bigger stack.  The key is to pick your opponents and protect your chips.  Don't be afraid to get rid of AJ with a big raise in front of you preflop.

Answer 3

One thing that I've found helps is to use the breaks effectively.  I go to the bathroom and then go outside and chase my dog around the yard for a couple of minutes.  This helps clear my mind, kind of like rebooting your computer, and allows me to sit back down refocused and ready.  Take a quick walk or whatever works for you, just use the time to clear your head.

When you get back to the table, recognize that anyone who has made it this far has done so by being more skilled than their opponents.  Hence they will be harder to read.  You're whittling away the dead wood, and the core will be like iron.  Here's what I've found in large MTT's

Start to first break is all about survival

First to second break is about building a stack

Second to third break is about making the money

Fourth break on is about winning

This is a general rule, but I've found that playing slow-fast-slow-fast works well.  Early on trying to buy a pot that means nothing isn't worth your time.  Play tight, and snipe the guys who think a bluff can only be done by going all in.  Once the true donkeys are gone loosen up a little and start building a stack.  When you approach the bubble there are two schools of thought.  Most people will slow down, which is smart.  But if your entire table is check/folding then use this opportunity to take down blinds with small raises.  Either way, when you're in the money it's time to start playing to win.

One thing that might help is building up your stamina like a marathoner.  You're good at the 9/18 man s'n'g's.  So start playing the 27 person.  Then move up to 45.  Then 90, then 180, pretty soon you'll be playing the 12,000 person tournaments without a problem!  Good luck.

Answer 4

in the early rounds, it's all about cards. in the later rounds, it's all about guts. you have to bet when you have nothing to force somebody else to fold their nothing.