Strategy Question

Final table of a tournament with standard prize money distribution, 9 players left.


You are the 3rd biggest stack, on the button. The big blind is all in for the full big blind. The small blind has a slightly smaller stack than you and it is passed around to you. Assume that the small blind is unknown to you... this is the first hand of the final table and you haven't seen him before. What is the best play with:


1. Pocket Aces

2. AK off

3. Pocket 8s

4. K,10s

5. 7-2


The situation where you have a player with chips in between you and an all-in player comes up frequently late in a tournament. I think it is worth discussing.


Craig H.

Craig,


As you know this is very dependent on the playing habits of the small blind. If he is unknown to you, you are just going to have to guess based on his appearance, demeanour, table presence, etc.


If your opponent is the type who might try to isolate the all-in player by raising with a lot of hands when you call (or raise small) then you can play AA and AK slow, maybe even 88 as well, with the intention of reraising if he pops it. If on the other hand your opponent wants to play the "check down the all-in player" game then you can flat call with any 2 cards (including 7-2) and may wish to raise with your better hands (including AA, AK and 88) to create a side-pot where you have the best of it.


If the player is a complete unknown with no discernible characteristics - you're just going to have to play him as if he is typical of the opponents you face in this tournament. I think that in a situation which is so opponent-dependent like this one you are going to have to use what information you have to make an informed judgement and take it from there.


Andy.