$11: Level 1, in position on the flop -- too weak?

[spentrent]

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t15 (10 handed) converter

CO (t1175)
Hero (t775)
SB (t165)
BB (t1390)
UTG (t480)
UTG+1 (t938)
UTG+2 (t697)
MP1 (t775)
MP2 (t730)
MP3 (t875)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, UTG+2 calls t15, <font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, CO calls t15, Hero calls t15, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (t72.50) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(5 players)</font>
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+2 checks, CO checks, Hero checks.

<font color="#0000ff">I like playing weak-tight in the early levels, but my hindsight here is making me sick of myself. Should Hero make a standard stab at this pot? It's automatic for me in a cash game.</font>

[Nick M]

IMO you check fold here. You are there to make a set and that's all. Cash game you bet the pot.

[bones]

I think it's definitely worth taking a shot here for 60 or so chips. If you get called, you still have position on turn and can easily let go of the hand.

[flyby4553]

At an $11 I think your way too likely to get called here with 5 people seeing the flop. Either way your likely going to have to give the hand up if you dont make your set on the turn. Seems like taking a free chance to make your set is a better idea, especially when picking up a 75 chip pot isnt going to be a huge deal at this level.

[DasLeben]

I like taking the free card. In level 1 of an $11 you're going to get called a LOT here.

[spentrent]

[ QUOTE ]
Seems like taking a free chance to make your set is a better idea, especially when picking up a 75 chip pot isnt going to be a huge deal at this level.

[/ QUOTE ]

This sounds solid.

[bones]

You likely have the best hand, you have position, and there is money out there that nobody wants. If you get raised, fold. If you get a caller and someone leads into you on the turn, fold. It's not like you have J9 and you're gonna be paying off a better hand all the way.

[spentrent]

[ QUOTE ]
You likely have the best hand, you have position, and there is money out there that nobody wants. If you get raised, fold. If you get a caller and someone leads into you on the turn, fold. It's not like you have J9 and you're gonna be paying off a better hand all the way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Therein lies the rub: this too sounds solid.

[DasLeben]

[ QUOTE ]
You likely have the best hand, you have position, and there is money out there that nobody wants. If you get raised, fold. If you get a caller and someone leads into you on the turn, fold. It's not like you have J9 and you're gonna be paying off a better hand all the way.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. This is a good technique for UB or Stars SNGs, but chip conservation in Party structures is a must. You don't need the chips out there, so there's no reason to risk more of your own when you're most likely going to get called.

[Nick M]

I think what people are saying is that taking a stab is fine when there is value in the pot. Right now there is 75 in the pot and you're risking getting involved in a pot that's worth nothing.