Anna Kournikova, 4 spots from in the money

[DVC Calif]

VVP - Are you posting here now? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Good push. As you said, if you were going to raise a significant amount of your stack PF, you might as well just push and put the decision on the callers.

[A_PLUS]

You have 9xBB, there are antes. There is no way you can ever not put all of your money in with this hand. If you want to make money in NL MTTs, one of the things you will need to recognize is how the payout structure affects yoru decisions. Getting your money back from cashing is not the way to do it. Look at how many X your buy in 1st-3rd place get, then figure out how many times you would need to limp into the money to equal finishin 1st-3rd once. Once you actually look at the math of it, it is easier to play to maximize your chances of finishing 1-3, even if it is at the expense of "making the money" this particular time.

So anyway, your money is going in. With my image I open push under all but the most extreme circumstances (even a brain dead opponent would smell a rat). In your case, I would consider a limp reraise, or even a 3xBB raise knowing ou were pushing any flop. The last play is higher risk, but is something you may consider to accumulate chips at the bubble.

[rydazzle]

K is right, starting to collect the blinds and antes in multi-table are worth more than most people give credit to - it's these little pick-ups that help you stay alive.

Also, dont be afraid of the coin flips (AK vs. small/mid pair) in the tourneys. You need to win some of these to make it to the final table, no question! when you feel you have one against a stack that wont bust you out of the tourney, go for it!!