I would concur with all of this advice, and, in particular, the points Kowboy makes about the difference in field sizes between the $5 or 10 events and the $20 and up ones. I would also add that at the lower buy in events you get at least a third of the field composed of maniacs, who are determined to either double up or go broke in the first 30 mins. So the best strategy in my view at the early stages of the smaller buy in multis is to wait for a monster, and otherwise let the monkeys chuck bananas at each other. On the party 5 multis it is not uncommon to lose half the 1500+ field within the first half hour.

One thing to add to Kowboys list of requisite attributes for success, which is partially covered by his second point, but which I believe needs to be specifically emphasised, especially as it has a distinct pertinence in the smaller buy in events: focus. You can get the lucky breaks you need in an event, avoid the bad beats, win your occassional 50/50 race, be playing the greatest poker of your life, but if you lose focus for 10 seconds in a NL tourney you could/should lose all of your chips. In my view, this is the sole most important attribute in online tourneys at the smaller levels, and what will give you the edge over everyone else- I can assure you that almost none of them will be concentrating as hard as you will. It is also very hard to do, especially when you have only paid 5 bucks to enter an event- the tendency is to think 'why bother'?

If you can focus on the game for the entire event, this will be what distinguishes yours results from the average punter.

Very good point Telemachus. I can't count the number of times I have seen a player play good poker for the first hour of a MTT then come back from the break and throw his/her chips away. I know my weakest time is at the bubble where I start getting over aggressive for some unknown reason. It's ok to get aggressive at the bubble but not with crap cards. I'll play the whole MTT making great lay downs, good calls and timely bluffs only to push all in to a raised pot with JJ. Idiot!!!!!

Attention is so important. I have won a few MTT's and made more then my fair share of final tables. But I cannot remember one time that I even made it much pass the bubble when I was playing a ring game on the side. The finals tables I have made have been from having good reads on the table, stealing blinds and calling down bluffers.

As much as I hate Hellmuths addittude. You have to sit down telling yourself your the best player in the MTT and you have to keep reminding yourself that your the best player and to be the best you have to focus focus focus.