1. 2008-10-20 23:57:05

   The Poker Matrix: Taking the Red Pill at Full Tilt

   FullTilt.com has a new tournament type called "The Matrix". They sell it with cheesy references to the movie of the same name, but it's actually pretty cool. You register like any other tournament, say, $10+1. The tricky part is that you play 4 simultaneous single-table tournaments with the same other 8 people.

   The prize pool is split 5 ways. The top 3 of each tournament get paid ($9, $5.40, $3.60) and top 3 overall ranked players get paid on the same scale. You compete for the overall ranking by scoring two points for each person you knock out and one point for each person you outlast at each table. For example, if you get 5th at one table and knock out 1 player, you get 4 "survival" points and 2 "knockout" points for a total of 6 points.

   I've played in 2 of these. The first time I placed 3/4/4/8 and 4th overall (and collected $3.60). That's a lot of bubbles. Today I placed 1/4/6/9 and 5th overall (for $9).

   My main observations:

   • it's great to play 4 games at once with the same people - you can get quick data on who is loose/aggressive and such
   • when play gets short-handed and somebody is in a big pot on another table, it's easier to steal from them
   • 4 games at once reduces your variance, and with the overall matrix score, it's almost like another game - consistency will pay off
   • these tournaments are cheaper - you get 4 foe the price of one

   Let me know what you think of them and if you have any strategic advice. Thanks for reading!

   Posted by Jason M at 2008-10-20 23:57:05

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Comments on “The Poker Matrix: Taking the Red Pill at Full Tilt”

1. • Posted by Krishna g 2008-10-23 16:16:43
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   • The strategy should not change much because matrix pool is small.
     Like I always say go for the WIN.

     Yes, playing same opponents should give advantage to observant players(not me!).

     I prefer playing 4 $5 tournaments instead.

2. • Posted by Jason M g 2008-10-22 19:50:43
   • 

   • Glad you liked it. I clicked on your link and it didn't quite work. Looks like it is supposed to be a PNG image, but it looks more like an EPS file with the image info embedded in it (all text). I haven't tried it again since the first two, but it is a lot of fun.

3. • Posted by Pokermom g 2008-10-22 01:56:28
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   • omigod, this was SO MUCH FUN! I only used play money - 10,000 table - but, SWEET!

     Check it out