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5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy 5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy

07-22-2020 , 06:00 AM
I am about to play a 5-Card Draw Poker Tournament Friday night, as I am in the race for the Leaderboard of PokerStars US Bounty Series and gotta play that one even if I am -EV in this $30 tourney (there's $4K on top of the Leaderboard and I am in top 5).

I looked at some basic articles online and here's what I found:
https://www.pokervip.com/strategy-ar...basic-strategy

Our raise-first-in ranges are dependent on our position, similar to no-limit holdem. As mentioned we want to be playing pairs which are likely to make the best trips.

UTG KKxxx+
MP QQxxx+
CO JJxxx+
BTN 99xxx+
SB TTxxx+ (however it's OK to complete some weaker hands with reasonable potential)

The Draw
Our draw decision is really based around the following. We'd rather make an above average strength hand frequently than a super-strong hand rarely.

If we have a pair we draw 3 and try and make trips.
If we have trips, we draw two and try to make Quads or a boat.
If we have a flush-draw or straight-draw we draw one and try to hit.
If we have total garbage (usually in a free play situation) we can hold on to cards above a Queen or Jack and replace the others.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-22-2020 , 06:10 AM
The tournament is played as 6-Max Pot Limit with Antes and starts at 200/400 with 25K starting stacks.

I understand the basic strategy of which hands to open (above) and I obviously know how to play MTT position poker.

Do you have any other tips or perhaps a link to a better primer, especially if there's one that deals with 5-Card Draw MTT's in particular?

And also I am wondering what my Pre-Draw stack off ranges should be if I get into a raising war with another player pre draw.

I was intuitively thinking that at 70-150bb deep, I need any straight or better, at 40-70bb, I need made trips needing TTT+/JJJ+ at 55-70BB and coming down to 555+ at like 40-55bb, and then as the blinds rise 2 pairs and sometimes a single pair with draw potential will do.

Obviously, if the raising war happens Button vs. BB or SB vs. BB, then I guess the stack-off ranges can become wider.

Are my guesses reasonable. Please do help!

And if you are in PA or NJ, jump on into the tourney.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-22-2020 , 07:53 AM
If we have trips, we draw two and try to make Quads or a boat.

Draw two if you're all-in, but draw one for deception if not. Keep the lower side-card.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-22-2020 , 09:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmmj05
If we have trips, we draw two and try to make Quads or a boat.

Draw two if you're all-in, but draw one for deception if not. Keep the lower side-card.
Why keep the lower side card?
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-22-2020 , 04:30 PM
Possibly because it's more live, thus more chances to pair it?
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-22-2020 , 06:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by uberkuber
Possibly because it's more live, thus more chances to pair it?
You mean if you got action, low card are liver?
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-23-2020 , 07:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by deuceblocker
You mean if you got action, low card are liver?
Yes, that's my interpretation of what jmmj05 meant.

Also, when you have trips, it doesn't matter what your side cards are since nobody can make the same trips anyway.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-23-2020 , 10:08 AM
Yes, that is what I meant.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote
07-24-2020 , 11:18 AM
Interesting point and not obvious to those used to Holdem and Omaha, where kickers are really important.
5-Card Draw (Tournament) Poker Strategy Quote

      
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