definition of short stacked on the bubble

Hey guys, I've started playing a lot of 10+1 SNG's using Aleo's guide and need advice on my bubble play. Aleo's guide recommends pushing if you become short stacked provided you are the first in the pot.

I'm curious as to what exactly a short stack is. I usually push if I have 8-10 BB's, but I feel i might be being too aggressive in instances where one player has a dominant stack and their are two other very small stacks. Say one person has 4500, I have 1400, the third has 1200, and the fourth has 900. If blinds are 150-300, am I right to push with a pushing hand or should I play more cautiously?

thanks

[pineapple888]

less than 5xBB

[runner4life7]

in general play a little more cautiously as you arent THE short stack especially when stealing from the bigstack. If you ahve a relatively good hand though pushing against the smaller guys is good if that helps at all. Sorry if thats really general.

but in the situation, 1st is 4500, im 1400, third is 1300, fourth is 900, blinds are 150-300, I have less than 5 BB but am still 2nd at the table. Do I push or wait?

[pineapple888]

[ QUOTE ]
but in the situation, 1st is 4500, im 1400, third is 1300, fourth is 900, blinds are 150-300, I have less than 5 BB but am still 2nd at the table. Do I push or wait?

[/ QUOTE ]

There are too many factors involved to give a definite answer unless you post a specific hand with all relevant factors included, as described in this forum's FAQ.

There are, of course, exceptions to the "Basic Strategy". That's why this forum continues to exist.

[runner4life7]

i would say in this instance you arent "short stacked" but thats just my definition.

[tjh]

Post some hands so that we have specifics.

Beginners seem to go from being not aggressive enough on the bubble to being too aggressive before the bubble and early in the bubble.

This is a huge generalization for sure, but it does seem that once your brain begins to associate betting with winning a dangerous habit can develop.

Hard to say what if any mistakes you are making.

Reads are also important. Pay some attention to the habits of the other players. If you are not THE short stack and the big stack is pushing the little stacks around you may need to wait for your chance to push.

The other players tend to tighten up too much on the bubble you need to take advantage of that, but do not over do it and induce spite calls.

--
tjh

How about this hand:

Seat 1: Nikklaj ($4300 in chips)
Seat 2: HERO [TS,TC] ($1500 in chips)
Seat 3: mai1boxhead ($900 in chips)
Seat 4: ronnif ($1300 in chips)

blinds at 100-200, ronnif is small, Nikklaj is big

[inyaface]

VERYVERYVERY quickly push....I feel a bad beat post comming up

[runner4life7]

easy push

[tigerite]

[ QUOTE ]
easy push

[/ QUOTE ]

Jesus I wouldn't even think twice about it..

[Seadood228]

You can't be careful in this situation because:

Your stack is not large enough
The short stacks aren't short enough

I think you can get into some serious trouble waiting out short stacks that aren't that short. Jam.

ok I thought so about pushing. inyaface was right about the bad beat post. I had a hand like this once where I pushed, big stack called me with A8, and flopped an ace. Had me second guessing a little.

thanks everyone

I lost 3 big all-ins against smaller stacks in a row last night...until I was the small stack and was put out with pocket Kings. I think it was close to the best game of poker I played...and I finished out of the money.

QQ vs A9, JJ vs A10, KK vs AQ.

An Ace flopped every time...but it was still easily the right move every time and I was begging for the players to call me knowing they had an Ace. 60/40 to win these hands...I just got really unlucky. No big deal.

[pooh74]

[ QUOTE ]
60/40 to win these hands...I just got really unlucky.

[/ QUOTE ]

those are 70/30s...not to nitpic, but just wanted to show that you were even more unlucky than you thought...;)