Question about online rebuy tournys

Ok, here is the deal. I consider myself to be a decent poker player. I've only been around online poker for a few months now but I LOVE the MTTs at Pstars and have held my own in winning a 830 player 10+1R+1A, have made 4 other final tables (2 $50PL, 1 $20 PL and 1 $10NL) and qualified for the WSOP main event in a triple shootout (day one casualty).

I have a question about getting into higher limit rebuy tournys if you have no intention of rebuying. I've been watching the $50 and $100 rebuy tournys and am close to getting drawn in strictly because of the prize pool. In a normal $50 non-rebuy tourny with 100 players the prize pool would be $5000 with $1500 going to first place (30%). If you get the same 100 players in a $50 rebuys tourny you are looking at a pool of $17000 and a first prize of over 5K.

I realize how rebuy players play and know that you could easliy take a beating from a subpar hand in the first hour and be knocked out, but as far as online players in general this could happen in a non-rebuy tourny as well. Do any of you get into rebuys without the intention of rebuying? Anyone think this is a good idea or do you see the really good online players (who ALL get into these tournys) as having a huge advantage with the rebuys? Thanks in advance!

The players who rebuy definitely have an advantage, as it allows them to play a little looser and see more flops to pick up a hand. These players are really trying to build a stack before the rebuy period is over. If your not going to rebuy you need to be more selective and you may find yourself well behind before the rebuy period is over.

Having said that however, I have won a rebuy tourny without rebuying. I did do the addon though. I did find myself behind at the end of the rebuy period. But I was patient and caught a rush of cards towards then end which propelled me into 1st. So while it does put you at a disadvantage, it can be done. Thats my opinion.

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Re-buy tournaments can be fun and interesting, however if you do not plan on re-buying...I would not get into the tournament. You have to remember what these tournaments are...everyone plays loose and aggressive trying to build a bank for the real game that is going to start at the second hour. Now you can say we'll I will only play premium hands, but the problem with that is a loose aggressive player will draw you in to an all-in and then beat you with junk. No matter how safe you might try to play the game you will always find yourself in danger in a re-buy game. Players that build a bank, try to hold on to their bank, but the lower stacks are gunning for them, because they want those chips.

I know your feeling that a higher re-buy game might not go that way...but lets face it, your in a re-buy game and the players that are entering it are willing to do anything that they have to to get a big stack, afterall it increases their chances for the real game.

Only get into re-buy games that you are willing to play in a re-buy way.

Yeah, found that out today. Played the 109 rebuy at Pstars and was doing well, 40 minutes in had a stack of 9K and then in BB was dealt 10 4off and was checked to me. Flop came 10 5 4 w/ 2 diamonds, shortstack went all in, I called, mid stack reraised all in, I called... shortstack had A10, mid stack had 55 which brought me down to 4K...

2 hands later 5K stack moved in I had KK, he turned over A3s and hit the flop with an A to run me out.

Thanks for the advise guys although I'm sure I'll enter another one anyways... prize pool is too tempting for me right now

If you can consistently make it in the money, finaly table, or catch a first without having to rebuy or add on that would be a cash cow. Imagine paying in a tourney for $10 while everyone was paying several times that amount.

If you can make it through the tourney in the money even your are going to get a nice return on your investment.

But, like the others said. You are at a severe disadvantage using this strategy.

My suggestion is to try it out on some freerolls with rebuys. Several sites offer this kind of tourney. You won't have to risk any money on learning whether this strategy is viable or not.