New to this \"bubble\" concept
 

Should I have re-raised all-in A9 on the bubble?

Bubble-wise, I think I understand that you want to play way tighter than just previous to the bubble, but you want to take some opportunities to pick on other people not being willing to "bubble-out". Is that about right?

It seems like if I had reraised him allin, he should prefer to fold based on what my raise would imply I had, and that he would wait for blakemucks or I to bust on each other or the tall stack.

***** Hand History for Game 2403669801 *****
NL Texas Hold'em $30 Buy-in + $3 Entry Fee Trny:14148154 Level:5 Blinds(75/150) - Friday, July 22, 03:06:50 EDT 2005
Table Table 11141 (Real Money)
Seat 8 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 1: blakemucks ( $1015 )
Seat 3: cashmania111 ( $2424 )
Seat 8: HERO ( $1115 )
Seat 10: pdcgolf78 ( $3446 )
Trny:14148154 Level:5
Blinds(75/150)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to HERO [ Ac 9s ]
cashmania111 raises [300].
HERO folds.
pdcgolf78 folds.
blakemucks folds.
cashmania111 does not show cards.
cashmania111 wins 525 chips

Re: New to this \"bubble\" concept
 

The problem is that you can't bust him, and even if you do win, he's not in bad shape. Second small stack with 9 BB. You'll get called almost all the time, and there's basically no chance you're a big favorite here at all. Toss it.

Re: New to this \"bubble\" concept
 

In general, on the bubble the gap concept applies more so than at any other stage in a SNG. You should be open pushing a lot more than when it's say 6 handed. You also have to tighten up a lot facing ranges. In this hand, a lot depends on the villain, since we have to estimate what our folding equity is with a push. We don't want to be called here, even by smaller pairs. It's more EV to have villain fold hands like 88 in this spot. A lot depends on villain here. Has he been stealing? What's his standard raise the last few orbits? How loose is his calling range here?

Re: New to this \"bubble\" concept
 

My thinking is, you should raise,re-raise or push during the bubble if the probability of the opponents folding is really big(80%+) or if your opponents call and you lose, you are not that much hurt.
I think prob of folding is high with players:
- that are short stacked but not hopeless
- that will be hurt (lose 60%+ of their stacks)
- that play generally tight
- if they have not shown any kind of strength (limping in or raising)

Thinking with these thumbrules I would think that being called at this instance is high and I would fold and wait for a better spot.
If this player had min raised 3+ times around the bubble then I would push.
Cem