Letting up once you make the $
 

So I just took 7th out of 73 at a Mirabella player point tourney. I earned $13.75 for my trouble. Top 9 paid, first prize was $50. I was pretty happy with my play leading up the final table, but should have done better once I hit the cash. Anybody else find that once you make it to the money, your play goes down hill? I guess since I was only mid-stack I was concentrating so hard on getting to the cash, I couldn't help but let up a little.

hey
 

that happens in almost every tornament to a wide variety of people once they make the money they know there tornament was paid for and play very relaxed. All you got to do is keep playing your game the way you played it to get to the money and you should be heads up in no time at all.

By the time people make the money, you're typically facing the better players from the field...especially in freerolls. The people that are short stacked and have made the money will typically push their hands now that they have made the money. This is probably the time and point if you have a big chip stack to just hang tight and wait for a good hand to knock those guys out. Or bully the shorter stacks in position. Still need lady luck in order to win.

actully
 

even the good players with medium stacks will start playing carelessly, there so mentally drained after 4-6 hours of poker that they just want to get it over with and since they made the money arnt to concerned with winning it. You see that at almost every tornament in live play also, well sorry wouldnt say they arnt concerned with winning it more like they will take more chances they wouldnt of taken early on.

I find that since I usually play to make the money rather than to win, I will play so tight when it gets close to the bubble. But once I'm in the money, I will generally switch back to my A game, which will cause me to go out soon or get some chips and go on to take the tourney

Agree 100%

I think the best strategy when it gets close to the bubble is to play like you have it won. Getting ultra tight will get you ultra screwed at this point because you are only getting called by another premium hand. I say this is the point to loosen up a bit and steal, steal, steal, people may not want to risk getting the bubble with K-T if your representing a playable hand from the go.