Hyperaggression on the bubble in micro-stakes SnG's

[imported_metrognome7]

We've all heard an old tournament strategy adage that goes something like this:

"When it gets down to just off the money, most players will tighten up and try to sneak into a payday. This is when good players should open up, stealing pots and paving the way to the final table."

In even the lowest-stakes MTTs I've followed this advice to great success, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth following in small-stakes ($5.50 and $11) Sit-n-Go's when you're not an overwhelmingly big stack. All too often, at the lowest levels, it seems like the small stack(s) shut down completely at the bubble. While, theoretically, everyone could just pass blinds around until the shorties are blinded off, this would also cripple the 2nd and 3rd stacks to the point that they'd have to push any face card once they reached cash. So let's say, as the 2nd or 3rd stack, you decide to push a little bit, trying to accumulate chips for use once the money has been assured - you raise a bit more liberally PF, someone min-reraises, you call for the pot odds, and BAM! Your two pair drop to his/her trips and you're on the cyber-rail broke.

What to do? I've busted out 4th more often than I can remember, and I'm getting quite sick of it....