Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

From HoH volume 1 Part 3, Example 3

"Relatively early in a major tournament. You have $23,000. The other chip stacks at your table vary from $5,000 to $28,000. The big blind has $19,000." Blinds 300/600 Ante 25.

Youve recently won the blinds with a $2,000 raise four times. You make the same raise of $2,000 with TT and the big blind goes allin. It's $17,000 to call and if you lose you'll be left with $4,000.

After some discussion, with particular reference to the recent "steals" as perceived by the other players, Harrington recommends calling. But is this really good? Is the big blind really allining 88 or 99 pre-flop "early in a major tournament" when he has a biggish stack. I think you're usually going to be shown a higher pair and otherwise a lot of AK's. Who calls with TT here?

Re: Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

I don't know about "early in a major tournament", but in the smaller buy-in MTT's online you will routinely see a LAGgy BB move in with a fairly wide range, IMHO. What is important to realize, I believe, is that Hero's recent raises suggest that he's raising light and pushing around the smaller stacks. Villian has no information, on these facts, that suggests that Hero will call with a wide range. The all-in is either severely discouraging a call or is deceptively seeking a call with a big hand. From my observations, many bad players overbet like this with AA and KK. From a better player, I expect to be shown hands as weak as 98s. That said, I make this call against certain oponents, but not all.

Your assertion that you will be shown big pair many times really cuts both ways. Think about it, if you are in the blinds against a player who has been stealing a lot, why would you flat out move all-in w/ a big pair? With a bigg-ish stack, why not play out the hand after the flop instead of forcing the action?

Re: Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

Of course I wouldnt - it's a bad play in general. But nevertheless I've seen plenty of people do it with QQ/KK and even AA as a deceptive allin that apparently doesnt want a call.

But Harrington explicitly states it's "early in a major tournament" that's why I think the call is dubious.

"How did you do at the WSOP? I saw you going great with a big stack."
--- "I had KK, he had AA, we got it in pre-flop"
"Oh ... unlucky"

"How did you do at the WSOP? I saw you going great with a big stack."
--- "I had TT, he had JJ, we got it in pre-flop"
"Donkey!"

Re: Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

it's best not to base your decisions on what you think people will think of you (unless they think poorly of you because you made a -EV move)

Re: Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

Harrington went through the math on this. Yeh villain probably has overcards or an overpair, but a resteal with a hand you dominate is possible. You have to consider pot odds with the money from your raise plus the blinds and antes already in the pot. Also TT is a significant favorite over AK or AQ. Plus if you fold to a reraise, you will get more reraises.

I know it is scary that you might be dominated and might bust out of the tournament, but you can't make plays based on fear.

As for busting out with TT versus JJ, I guess it's embarassing, but I have busted out of a live tournament calling allin with 42s and losing to AK.

Re: Harrington on Holdem TT hand - I disagree with the master
 

This hand seemed pretty standard to me.