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kevster
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09-25-2009, 05:29 PM
Post subject: DON Strategy Part I - Introduction
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#1 (permalink)
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Full House
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fold City
Posts: 758
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Disclaimer: This guide is based on my experiences of $10 DON SNGs.
Introduction
This is a brief introduction to the ‘Double Or Nothing’ tournaments (DONs) that run on PokerStars. These are 10 man SNGs but with a flat payout structure whereby, as the name suggests, the top 5 finishers double their stake.
The flat payout structure means that optimal play differs greatly from normal SNGs. For example, building a stack to play for the money and a chance of taking first place loses significance and chip preservation becomes far more important. For this and other related reasons many people hate DONs. I understand this but it doesn’t mean that you can’t show a nice profit through the exploitation of others mistakes.
DONs have other redeeming features. For example, they are easier to multi-table than probably any other form of NLHE. This is because there are fewer probable outcomes in a hand (e.g. many hands don’t go beyond pre-flop) and play becomes regimented requiring must less thought.
Currently, there are two kinds of DONs, the normal speed tournaments and the turbo’s. In my experience the normal speed tournaments are far more profitable.
Basic Strategy & Pre-Flop
The fold button is your friend. Use it. It’s not possible to just fold your way into the money so you still need to accumulate chips but there are very specific spots for this – your default play at all other times is to fold.
You need patience and discipline for this because you should be folding almost all of the time, especially in the early stages. If you’re looking to practice patience/discipline then DONs might be for you. People with the ability to sit tight will naturally gain an edge over most of the table because the number one mistake I see from other players is that they call too much. (BTW, #2 is their inability to fold seemingly big hands, e.g. AA)
I don’t work to a hand chart but I have no problem open folding small-medium pairs and stuff like AQ and KQ in the early stages. You should be playing tighter than you ever would in any other kind of tourney structure but you still need to accumulate chips and so big pairs are still a raise - I’m not mucking something like JJ/QQ, AK if there’s no action in front of me (especially in late position).
When facing an opened pot pre-flop, I’m mucking practically everything except AA/KK which I’m re-raising and am obviously prepared to go all the way with. N.B. Being prepared to go all the way with a hand in DONs is a good way of deciding what to do pre-flop. Typically, I’m looking for a solid read or dependable stats on an opponent before I widen this range (although I often play AK like AA/KK). Be aware that most of your opponents are tightening their ranges so you need a stronger hand than normal to play back at them.
Obviously, you will be forced to widen this range as the tournament progresses (particularly when your stack gets desperate) but it’s a decent rule of thumb for the early stages.
Summary
I look at DONs as magnifying the aspects of normal SNGs. Because of the flat payout structure, you either do things a hell of a lot more (e.g. fold, bet aggressively when you have it) or a hell of a lot less (e.g. bluff, slowplay). Disciplined folds, waiting for a strong hand and betting hard when you have it will give you enough of an edge over enough of your opponents to carry you to the bubble of a DON more often than not. Do this repeatedly and you’ll cash enough times to show a nice profit.
All comments welcome.
Part II - Post-flop / Mid-Tournament play to follow.....
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MikeShayne
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 1
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thanks for the tips. i really like the DONs.
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Nakamura
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grindin'
Posts: 1,511
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Nice work, Kev!
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Love2Race
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 38
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I've been considering giving these a shot but have no cash on PS. Will anyone transfer me $20 on PS for $20 on FT? PM me
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Rage2100
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Full House
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 713
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I've only just got around to reading the three articles. Nice work!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by kevster
Currently, there are two kinds of DONs, the normal speed tournaments and the turbo’s. In my experience the normal speed tournaments are far more profitable.
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I haven't played many DoNs lately, but I used to play quite a lot of them. I always found the normal speed ones went on for ages, and combined with the higher rake, they were less profitable than the turbos for me.
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kevster
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Full House
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fold City
Posts: 758
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rage2100
Quote:
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Originally Posted by kevster
Currently, there are two kinds of DONs, the normal speed tournaments and the turbo’s. In my experience the normal speed tournaments are far more profitable.
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I haven't played many DoNs lately, but I used to play quite a lot of them. I always found the normal speed ones went on for ages, and combined with the higher rake, they were less profitable than the turbos for me. |
I guess it could be an individual thing. My ROI on the normal speed tourneys is well over twice that of the turbo's.
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- You're the reason why paradise lost
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eberetta1
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One Pair
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Cambridge Minnesota
Posts: 23
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I'm with you . I'd rather pay the extra nickel of entry fees for the extended time. Turbo's kick my butt.
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jolub
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3-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 80
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I haven't been able to win at these. I'm hoping this articule can turn me around. thanks.
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kevster
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Full House
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fold City
Posts: 758
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by jolub
I haven't been able to win at these. I'm hoping this articule can turn me around. thanks.
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Good luck. Be sure to read the other parts of the guide and Nakamura's excellent thread.
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- You're the reason why paradise lost
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