From 2+2
(David Sklansky Forum)
We all know the debate between the "survialists" and
the "accumulators" when it comes to small edes early in
a tourney.
To quickly re-cap: The accumulators say you cannot
pass up any edge as you have to accumulate chips to win. The survivalist
say you should pass up these edges because you will get a greater
edge later, and you may go broke chasing the small edge.
The survialist often quote David Sklansky from TPFAP
when stating their case.
I was re-reading TPFAP again this weekend, and I came accross the
oft quoted part of the book about passing up early edges (p19-20)
I have added bold in the key parts (and I wanted to feel like Doyle
Brunson)
"But there is another reason to eschew close gambles even
early on. This reason has nothing to do with the prize structure,
and in fact is something you should be aware of even if the tournament
paid only one winner. What I am speaking of involves the
presumption that you are one of the best players in the tournament.
That being the case, you should avoid close gambles, especially
for large portions of your chips."
So, you should pass up slight edges ONLY if you are the best player
there. I can safely assume I am never the best player in the tourney,
so I will not pass up these edges.
I don't know any poster that can confidently say they are the best
players in any tourney, online or live.
The ones that probably come closest also happen to be the ones
who need no convincing to take every edge offered.
After quoting David Sklansky to back up their reason for weak-tight
play early, the "survivalist" then usually ends the conversation.
But to make this matter clear, DS brings it up again on page 25
"Thus, it is quite common to see a player who is notorious
for his looseness in normal games playing significantly tighter
when he has a small or moderate tack in a poker tournament. Ironically,
these players are probably making a mistake. Only the very best
players should be avoiding slightly positive gambles to allow their
bigger edges time to accumulate. The typical tournament
player should not ever turn down any situation with the smallest
of edges. You could even argue that he should gamble in
situations where he has slightly the worst of it. But that is not
the way the vast majority of mediocre tournament players operate."
So, we cannot forget who David Sklansky is talking about when he
mentions passing up small edges.
Its not us. |
