Poker Forums

How do you play when it get's close to the bubble in a poker tournament?

Do you play the same as before? Do you tighten up? Do you try and steal more blinds from short stacks?

I guess it depends on if you're a short stack or if you have a nice stack of chips sitting in front of you.

Frankly, I think asking how to play at or even near the bubble isn't necessarily looking at the most appropriate question or context.  Once you're there, unless there are unusual circumstances, the better way to play is pretty clear - be more aggressively, especially against  those people who tighten up just aiming to cash.  However, it's also important - maybe more so - to ask how best to arrive at that stage with enough chips to take advantage of the tight play. . 

it depend of my stack !!! if i have a big stack i still waiting ..... If i'm short stack i try to rob the blinds or i bluff .... It's the good moment to try alternatives hands coz many players play big hands at this moment and if the flop is good you can make big money !!

I think it depends on stack but there are things more than this. It also depends how other guys are playing. If there is a lot of aggressive player at the table i wait for good hands but it is rare. A lot of players tighten up when it gets close to the bubble so I become more aggressive and steal the blinds. I want to take advantage of other players conservative style.

Kathy Leibert just held on in an event to make it into the money. She was short stacked and didn't look like she'd make it and could quite possibly be the bubble. As soon as the announcement was made that they all made it in the money, she got knocked out. It was obvious she just wanted to get into the money.

different strokes for different folks but if you noticed that others are playing to stay around then take advntage of this situation