Of course, every good thing comes with a few downsides as well, and so too do re-entry poker tournaments. There aren’t too many negative sides to the re-entry model, but a few minor downsides can definitely be found, and these include:
Tougher Overall Fields
Re-entry tournaments may sometimes seem like a clown show in the early going, and that’s because they often are, but only during the early levels while all the recs are still in-play.
What happens more often than not in re-entry tournaments is that the pros in the field make multiple re-entries and end up surviving Day 1, progressing into the later stages. On average, pros are a lot more willing to re-enter than casual players, and combined with the skill edge that the pros have, the end result is more pros and fewer recs in the late phases.
While it may seem a bit counter-intuitive, the truth is that freezeout tournaments are more rec-friendly, while re-entry tournaments work in the favor of professionals.
More Expensive Average Buyin
While the re-entry option is not obligatory, most players tend to use it at least from time to time, which means they pay for extra buyins on occasion. Over the long run, this will add up to more money spent on tournament buyins, although you can view every re-entry as a completely new tournament and a new buyin.
For some players, however, re-entry tournaments can be quite a bit more expensive, as they approach them in a very aggressive way and punt off stack after stack in pursuit of a big chip-up. Keep in mind that you should not fall into this category and should stay away from excessive gambling in the early stages of a re-entry tournament if you want optimal results.
Chaotic Early Gameplay
As already mentioned, there are quite a few players who approach re-entry tournaments like they are freerolls and are willing to punt off a stack with virtually nothing. For that reason, the early stages of a re-entry tournament can seem like a bit of a crapshoot, as some players will be getting their chips in very light and even pushing all-in with any two cards once in a while.
If you find yourself playing against such players, remain patient and wait for good spots to get it in as a huge favorite, and let the cards fall as they may.
Strategy Adjustments for Re-Entry Tournaments
Now that we have looked at how re-entry tournaments compare to other formats and what their main upsides and downsides are, let’s talk a bit about poker strategy adjustments you should make when playing re-entry tournaments.
The truth is that re-entry tournaments don’t require too many strategic adjustments if you are used to playing freezeout events, while players more used to rebuy tournaments probably need to change their strategy a bit, especially in the early stages.
Early Game Adjustments
Early game is the best time to make strategic adjustments in the re-entry period, as this is the only time people actually play differently than they would in a freezeout. When the MTT starts, there will be a percentage of the field playing quite wild because of the ability to re-enter.
Your job is to identify the players playing too loose and aggressive and try to take advantage of the fact they are looking to double up or bust. Such players will be more than happy to stack off with one pair or a flush draw for hundreds of big blinds, and this is a great spot to get an easy double-up through them.
On the other hand, you should not be looking to gamble it up and re-enter if you bust, as this strategy does not add EV to your overall game. In some spots, it may be reasonable to take a break-even or slightly losing play in a spot where you can build a really big stack that might let you push others around in the levels to come.
Yet, you will mostly want to play a reasonably tight and aggressive style, relentlessly betting with your big hands and bluffing way less than you would be in a freezeout.
Late Game Adjustments
Once the re-entry period is over, any re-entry tournament will start playing like a true freezeout, and you should revert to the way you would play in one. With re-entry no longer an option, everyone’s stack is now what it is, and the only opportunities to chip up are by winning pots.
This brings us back to the fact that re-entry tournaments are, in fact, just freezeout tournaments you get to play more than once, so make sure to limit your strategic deviations and play the best poker you know how without changing your style much in either direction.