Probably so obvious as to be worthless suggestions, but you never know. So if you have any say on where you sit, I'd try to go last (but I'm guessing it's like most and you draw seat numbers, can't claim a particular spot). Also, when people bust out, those who went first get stuck going first again on the last hand or two. It's huge to get to go last or next-to-last and gauge your approach on how the others have bet on the first couple of hands, IMO I think it's worth betting opposite the trend if you can. I think those tournaments depend even more on luck when considering your seat draw.

(betting 1/2 my stack rather than table min from hand 1 if I'm in the first or second position, then pressing). So I've changed how I play to mirror that more, and it's worked a couple of times, mostly by luck in catching a good hand to start. By the time I and others holding back want to risk it, those others are too far ahead to catch. I have played in 7 hand tournaments maybe 20 times, and you are much more skilled at BJ than I am, but I will say that I usually see people betting much more aggressively/recklessly on the initial 2-3 hands of a short tournament than in a longer one, and the winner usually comes from within those who go for broke rather than those who are initially passive. Hi, avenged! Good luck in your tournament!