Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

The button is "TheBoss", and I figured he needed chips so I thought my A8s was good. I was fairly certain that the tight SB had me beat though, but since he didnt isolate I figured he would fold to a push leaving 28k dead.
Horrible or brilliant?!

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t4000 (9 handed) internettexasholdem.com

Button (t28353)
SB (t70351)
Hero (t90150)
UTG (t33608)
UTG+1 (t38496)
MP1 (t134863)
MP2 (t115767)
MP3 (t20591)
CO (t48528)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">6 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Button raises to t28153</font>, SB calls t26153, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t89950</font>

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

Why do you figure the small blind won't call? He's put almost half of his chips in the pot.

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you figure the small blind won't call? He's put almost half of his chips in the pot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the smooth call shows a good hand but not a hand he's willing to put the other 50k into the pot.

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

I think the smooth call may actually make it more likely that he has a monster. If I had a hand that I didn't want to risk all his chips with (but didn't mind gambling for the 28,000) with one person to act after me I would push to make the big blind find a monster to call with.
On the other hand, if I looked down and found Aces or Kings and the button pushed in front, I would smooth call and pray that the big blind did what you did. Just some food for thought.
By the way, why do you think he will fold when it will cost him 42 K or so to play a pot with 126 K in the middle? You're giving him three to one and you only have A8.

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

Well, the reason being is that 2000/4000 is the 13th stage, and from my guess from the structure is that its starting to get deep, and into the money. With that thought process in mind, i'd be willing to guess that this is where the tournament life part starts playing a roll. If i had Aces or kings, i'd definately isolate, just because of the fact that i don't want anyone else to steal a fat pot from me, that deep into a tournament. To me, the smooth call is just an insurance scheme to be able to fold and keep playing. But then i again, i'm probably crazy.

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why do you figure the small blind won't call? He's put almost half of his chips in the pot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the smooth call shows a good hand but not a hand he's willing to put the other 50k into the pot.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's crazy. he already has put in roughly 28k and has the proper odds to put in his other 42k (not 50k).

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

You're right, at this stage the "tournament life" plays a role - by that I assume you mean shallow stacks and a chance to make real money. That's exactly why you smooth call the big pair and pray you get the big blind to play along. You're unlikely to get another chance to get this much of an advantage for this many chips again. The only "insurance" you get from a smooth call w/ the intent to fold to a push is a guaranteed meager payday ;-(

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think the smooth call shows a good hand but not a hand he's willing to put the other 50k into the pot.


[/ QUOTE ]

Really? Say he has AA. He calls and hopes someone else comes along for the ride. Big raises mean you want a fold. Calls can mean either you want in for cheap (not the case here) or you don't want to or need to isolate.

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

[ QUOTE ]
You're right, at this stage the "tournament life" plays a role - by that I assume you mean shallow stacks and a chance to make real money. That's exactly why you smooth call the big pair and pray you get the big blind to play along. You're unlikely to get another chance to get this much of an advantage for this many chips again. The only "insurance" you get from a smooth call w/ the intent to fold to a push is a guaranteed meager payday ;-(

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought that was his mistake. My gut told me to push this.
Very boarderline, I know... but he folded TT and was mad as hell when he saw my hand [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Stars 10re/ Push to isolate button + dead money
 

[ QUOTE ]
I think the smooth call may actually make it more likely that he has a monster. If I had a hand that I didn't want to risk all his chips with (but didn't mind gambling for the 28,000) with one person to act after me I would push to make the big blind find a monster to call with.
On the other hand, if I looked down and found Aces or Kings and the button pushed in front, I would smooth call and pray that the big blind did what you did. Just some food for thought.
By the way, why do you think he will fold when it will cost him 42 K or so to play a pot with 126 K in the middle? You're giving him three to one and you only have A8.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because he will make a mistake [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]