NLH - Interesting situation for Presto

[Greg (FossilMan)]

So, 14 players in the Pokerstars $500 buyin monthly NLH tourney. 437 started, about a million chips in play. Average stack is about T75K, which is just about what I have. 7 players at a table. Blinds are T3K,T6K with an ante (I forget what it was, but the antes are kinda small on Pokerstars compared to WSOP or other venues).

I'm in the cutoff seat. 3 players fold, and I have 55. Behind me on the button is a very aggressive player with almost T100K, and the SB is also very aggressive and has something like T125K. BB is nowhere near as aggressive, and has fewer chips than me, something like T45K.

Folded to you, what do you do, and why?

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

[Tyler Durden]

I'd likely fold because it's too likely you'll be reraised and presto is tough when you miss the flop. If you get reraised chances are good you're in a coinflip situation and I think you can wait for a better spot to get a large portion of your stack in.

P.S. Personally I don't think I'd fold, but I think folding is the better play.

[eMarkM]

Well, I imagine you raised with this. The ole 3-4x BB thing. Watching you play earlier on another table when you had the table's biggest stack, you raised virtually everytime it was folded to you in LP and I'm thinking you didn't have a hand as good as 55 every time you stole. So I can't imagine you passing on presto.

Now, what to do if re-raised by one of the aggressive players who will be suspecting you of being your thieving self. They could have anything on a resteal. This is where I have trouble and probably would have meekly folded on the big dog/small favorite premise. But you could come over the top and go all-in and really put the re-stealer to the test if they did it with a less than premiumn hand. My guess is this is what you did and the guy had a real hand that either had you beat preflop or drew out on you.

[Greg (FossilMan)]

If I raise to T18K and get reraised, there isn't going to be enough chips left in my stack to make any meaningful reraise. In other words, there are only going to be 2 raises in this pot total, whomever makes them.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)

[Paluka]

My first instinct is that you hand is too good to fold. But if you play it, it seems like you are likely going to be either a) winning the blinds or b) putting all your chips in preflop. Is there any chance a limp will induce more limpers?

[B-Man]

My first choice would be to make a standard raise to 3X the BB. If you get re-raised, you have enough chips that you can lay it down; if you had fewer chips, then my first choice would be all-in.

All-in would be my second choice. Obviously, this is more likely to pick up the blinds, but you are risking your entire stack and you are either going to be a small favorite or a huge dog if anyone plays.

Of course, 90% of what I know about no-limit I've learned from reading your posts and others on this forum, so I feel a little silly replying.

Final thought--I hope you didn't get re-raised by AK, and find yourself ahead on the flop, only to lose to a broadway straight. That would be a very tough break.

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

...except to add that I was watching Greg's table, and there was a fair amount of reraising going on preflop, especially from a couple of very aggressive players.

[Nottom]

This might sound crazy, but you could limp.

If the button or SB raises, be prepared to go all-in and hope for the best.

[eMarkM]

You haven't seen Fossilman play. He aint limpin.

[Greg (FossilMan)]

It is a very rare spot this late in a tournament where it is correct to limp as the first one in.

Later, Greg Raymer (FossilMan)