[-Oz-]

IMO, most NLH tourney players overvalue medium pairs. I know most will disagree with me here, but I think this is a fold preflop (even though it is close).

Rational:

1) The big stack in the big blind has yet to act. This forces us to tighten our standards a little.

2) Calling is incorrect. We aren't getting the pot or implied odds to hit our set. How do we play a "good" flop (all undercards)? How do we play a bad flop (1 or more overcards)? Even if we end up heads up, there are few flops that don't contain a 9 that we can play strongly, especially since any flop bet by MP pot commits him.

Certainly, the all in play has some merit and it's far superior to a smaller raise or a call, but for me, 99 is right on the borderline for this play. I muck 99 and jam with TT here.

Interesting problem; I'm going to run it by my brain trust to see what they think.

-Oz-