Your philosophy on calling all-in 'steals' on the bubble?

Sam T. · #1 04-20-2005, 09:44 AM

Hi all,

In the last week or so, there have been a few posts dealing with situations when you are in the blinds with 3-5 players left, and the button pushes. I used to call with any ace, pair, even any two broadway, but I've been tightening up of late. Part of this is a result of the discussion of Raptor's post about folding AJ in just this situation, but I thought it might be useful to have a discussion oriented on general philosophy rather than a particular hand.

So my question is what is your philosophy for calling all-ins? Yes, I know "it depends", but what does it depend upon? How do your calling standards change depending on reads? Even if the villain has pushed the last four hands, are you ever calling with A9? With 99? Do you follow one poster's advice to fold if it's pushed to you, and push if it's folded to you? (I rather like this line, but wonder if there are any dissenters out there.)

Hope this proves a useful thread,

Sam

Phil Van Sexton · #2 04-20-2005, 10:05 AM

I have summarized in a haiku for you:

I call for profit
There is no other reason
Pushing is gangster

Freudian · #3 04-20-2005, 10:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Even if the villain has pushed the last four hands, are you ever calling with A9? With 99? Do you follow one poster's advice to fold if it's pushed to you, and push if it's folded to you? (I rather like this line, but wonder if there are any dissenters out there.)

Hope this proves a useful thread,

Sam

[/ QUOTE ]

If someone has raised me too many times I have been known to call with KQ, QJ etc. Often I have the best hand. Sometimes he has AK of course.

If someone attacks my blind each and every time I have two options 1) alter my pushing standards on other peoples blinds or 2) alter my calling standards from BB. I usually pick the one where I get a suitable hand first. I don't want to do either with pure trash.

Sam T. · #4 04-20-2005, 10:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have summarized in a haiku for you:

I call for profit
There is no other reason
Pushing is gangster

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, Phil. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

A couple of follow-up questions:

-I'm pretty white, and old enough to be out of touch with today's kids. Should I differentiate between "gangster" and "gangsta"?

-Are there plays I should be making that are not for profit? Or are they -EV?

Sam

jg22 · #5 04-20-2005, 10:14 AM

Id like to hear some thoughts on this as well. I got burned by calling a steal last night myself. In the hand, it was folded to the button who was the short stack(600ish), he pushed all in with Kc 6c. I was 2nd stack(1200ish) in the BB at the table and called with AQo (blinds 100/50). Of course he spiked a K and I was severely crippled.

I like his push on the button with K6s, but my call was questionable. Does anyone lay down AQo as the 2nd stack in this situation when you have a strong feeling that the button pushes any 2? AQ isnt a huge favorite over any 2...

Freudian · #6 04-20-2005, 10:17 AM

[ QUOTE ]

I like his push on the button with K6s, but my call was questionable. Does anyone lay down AQo as the 2nd stack in this situation when you have a strong feeling that the button pushes any 2? AQ isnt a huge favorite over any 2...

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I don't lay down AQo. It is big enough favourite over A2-AJ.

poincaraux · #7 04-20-2005, 10:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
AQ isnt a huge favorite over any 2...

[/ QUOTE ]
In terms of pure equity, you're a 64.4% to 35.6% favorite. That's pretty big.

Phil Van Sexton · #8 04-20-2005, 10:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Id like to hear some thoughts on this as well. I got burned by calling a steal last night myself. In the hand, it was folded to the button who was the short stack(600ish), he pushed all in with Kc 6c. I was 2nd stack(1200ish) in the BB at the table and called with AQo (blinds 100/50). Of course he spiked a K and I was severely crippled.

I like his push on the button with K6s, but my call was questionable. Does anyone lay down AQo as the 2nd stack in this situation when you have a strong feeling that the button pushes any 2? AQ isnt a huge favorite over any 2...

[/ QUOTE ]

Folding here would be horrible.

To even consider folding is a big problem. Please meditate for 1 hour in a dark room and think about the haiku.

kevstreet · #9 04-20-2005, 10:29 AM

I definitely tighten up my standards, sometimes I wish others understood this concept.

$22 SnG
Blinds 200/400

Hero 5500
Button 650
SB 750
BB 1100

I have pocket 7s and push, BB calls w/ A6 and spikes his A.
On the bubble, he's about to watch the small stacks get crippled by the blinds and he calls w/ Ace rag...

Phil Van Sexton · #10 04-20-2005, 10:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I have summarized in a haiku for you:

I call for profit
There is no other reason
Pushing is gangster

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, Phil. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

A couple of follow-up questions:

-I'm pretty white, and old enough to be out of touch with today's kids. Should I differentiate between "gangster" and "gangsta"?

-Are there plays I should be making that are not for profit? Or are they -EV?

Sam

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe these will clear it up:

I push for profit
There is no other reason
Calling is gangster

I fold for profit
There is no other reason
Yugo is gangster