100 Tournament Poker Challenge #3 – In the Money Finish!

Hey poker fans!

Last night was my third run in the 100 Tournament Poker Challenge, and I’m excited to share that I finished in the money—226th place out of a field of 4,635 players in a $3.2 bounty tournament on GG Poker! It’s been a wild journey so far, and if you want to check out the action, here’s the video: Watch Now.

For this session, I took a different approach by registering late—a strategy I wasn’t too keen on as a cash game player used to deep stacks, I figured my experience playing deep stack gives me a better edge. But after listening to the Poker on the Mind podcast, I figured I’d give it a try. Despite some rough card distribution, and playing short-stacked for most of the game, I relied heavily on my instincts, and was happy to finish in the money. As I did in the previous session I enlisted ChatGPT to help me review thr hand history of the game and spot areas for improvement.

Let’s dive into the Chat's analysis! 

(personal note - we live in an amazing time, the ability to use artificial intelligence in so may areas of our lives, really puts in awe)

ChatGPT’s Feedback: Areas for Improvement

Based on my hand history, here are five key areas where I can make adjustments to improve my online tournament game:

1. Aggression in Late-Stage Play
   I played a bit too passively during the late stages of the tournament, especially when short-stacked. Being more aggressive—shoving or re-raising with decent hands—could have put more pressure on my opponents.
2. Blind Defense
   I missed opportunities to defend my blinds. Folding hands like Qd8d or Th8s too easily allowed opponents to steal blinds. A wider blind defense strategy, especially against frequent late-position raises, could help me hold onto more chips.
3. Pot Control and Bet Sizing
   There were situations where I folded too easily post-flop with top or second pair. I need to work on controlling the pot and using smaller, probing bets to stay in the hand rather than giving up entirely.
4. Shoving Ranges as a Short Stack
   When my stack dipped below 15 big blinds, I missed some key shoving opportunities. Maximizing fold equity by shoving over limps and raises is essential to avoid getting blinded out.
5. Reading Opponents’ Betting Patterns
   Sometimes, I struggled to interpret my opponents’ betting patterns, leading to unnecessary folds or overly passive play. Improving my hand-reading skills and paying closer attention to board texture will help me make better decisions.

Key Hands: What I Could’ve Done Differently

1. Hand: As Jd (vs. Th Tc)
   I was short-stacked and went all-in with A-J but lost to pocket tens. While shoving wasn’t a bad play, I could have waited for a better spot or position to maximize fold equity. [Truthfully, I don't think I made a mistake here... Would love to hear more feedback on this one].
2. Hand: Kh 5s (Fold vs. All-in)
   I folded K5o to an all-in. In hindsight, shoving here would have been more aggressive and could’ve picked up some dead money.
3. Hand: Ah 2h (Fold vs. All-in)
   Folding A2 suited in the late stages was too tight. A shove would have been optimal, given the need to accumulate chips and the flush potential.
4. Hand: 8s Th (Fold in Big Blind vs. Shove)
   Folding T8 suited in the big blind, especially when facing a shove, was too tight. With decent equity against a wide shoving range, I should’ve defended my big blind more aggressively.
5. Hand: Jc 3d (Fold Pre-Flop)
   I folded J3o in late position, but with a short stack, a shove or 3-bet bluff could’ve stolen blinds and antes.

Biggest Leaks in My Game

1. Lack of Aggression in Late Stages
   I need to up my aggression, especially when short-stacked. Shoving more often and 3-betting light would apply pressure and increase my survival chances.
2. Not Defending Blinds
   I folded my blinds too easily, letting opponents take advantage. Time to defend with a wider range of hands that have post-flop potential.
3. Missing Shove Opportunities
   There were several instances where I should have shoved, especially when my stack was under 15 big blinds. Shoving earlier would have preserved my fold equity.
4. Playing Too Passively Post-Flop
   I folded too easily to aggression post-flop, even with top or second pair. I should consider floating or making small bets to stay in the hand and apply pressure later.
5. Overfolding to Pressure
   Sometimes, I folded too quickly to post-flop aggression. Mixing in light call-downs can make me tougher to play against and prevent opponents from exploiting me with constant aggression.

Final Thoughts on the Tournament

Online tournaments are a blast! The excitement of grinding through a huge field is unlike anything else. That said, tournaments require a different mindset than cash games—variance is much higher, and you’ve got to take calculated risks to survive.

I’m learning to embrace the high variance and make the right moves at the right time. The goal isn’t just to play perfectly; it’s about recognizing when to push and when to slow down. As my journey continues, I’ll keep honing these skills and—fingers crossed—climbing higher in the tournament ranks.

If you have any tips or feedback after watching the video, drop them in the comments on my social media channels!

See you at the tables,
Alon Marcus