Any late tournament advice?

Ok well I just started playing money multi-table tournaments over at PokerStars, but just the low $2 buy in. I am ok with the early stages playing tight and taking advantage of the weak players and by the middle of the tournament i'm usually way above average in chips. The thing is I have played 3 of these $2 tournaments and in 2 of them I was chip leader in BOTH with around 45 people in each yet I somehow managed to mess up in both and missed the serious top 9 money, finishing 13th and 24th.

So basically what I am asking is when I have the chip lead how should I play? Loose or Tightish. I think that I play too loose when I have the chip lead and maybe also too aggressively after the flop. Any advice is welcomed, thank you in advance

Listen, I'm sort of good at this levels. Most of the times I go out early because at these levels (4 hours into the tournament) somebody calls me and I have to go. You do the following. 45-20 ppl left. Try to play small blind and big blind only unless you are into the pot with a tight player. The make him bet. If he calls up to the turn he has something so check or fold the river. Never play the bully. Reduce your average playing hands to like 14%. when 18- final table play big blind only specially if you have a stack. Play AA or KK. Sometimes try to avoid even QQ. Pkay super extremely tight. Like ridiculous tight. Ican tell you that only one I've been otu of a tournement in this places and it was because it was a $55 buyin Omaha tournament and it was taking forever so I had to risk and lost. Final table again play extremely tight. Get to know your players; watch all of their hands. this really helps. Try to take notes in every hand they play, how they played, how they bluffed, how they played aces or kings. aain try to play only prwemium hands but play them different. dont always bet AA. sometimes check or even risk them all. Final table does involve a little moreluck than the rest of the tournement. Out of seven times i've been in a final table I have won 1 only. Good luck in this 2 buck buy in.

Thanks for the speedy and informative reply

I am not sure tight is always right in the later stages of tourneys but you need to identify who are risk takers and who are cautious and exploit the cautious players and trap the risk takers.

If you have a decent amount of chips then you want to avoid playing against the other large stacks UNLESS you can limp in with a hand that has near nut potential - you don't want to be in a position with aq with an ace on the board and you think that he has say aj but MIGHT have ak if he is betting strong.

Most players start either trying to fold or risk big - this seems strange but most players seem to lose confidence in their play. They will bet pot size with top pair top kicker or even more when they would normally bet 50% pot etc. you will find yourself able to limp in against certain players with good drawing hands and win big against them if you are clever. Just adjust your play accordingly.

Also don't get too caught up in finishing in the money or 11th rather than 14th etc at this stage of the tourny you are playing for the big money - thats why your there. Don't take unneccisary risks but dont fold your way out of the BIG money.

And when you get to final table aggression is a real asset - just avoid getting into a battle of Who is the most aggressive .... if someone is getting real aggressive try to trap them but dont get mega agressive with them that will often result in one of the two of your exiting.

If you are a small stack then you need to decide your attitude to risk because you will get plenty oppertunities for preflop all ins being called etc. - many players really want you out so they finish higher. Don't think "its now or never" but remember that it is the big money thats important so don't get too scared. If someone shows strength you should consider folding strongish hands but you may have to take some risks (such as going all in with 5*bb in chips in the dealers seat with ajos etc

Beyond that drink lots of strong coffee and avoid doing anything stupid.