Stars 15+1

[pokerlaw]

In this situation, I have folded Ax, KJ, 22-66 and similar hands IF I had previously been pushing relentlessly with success (this also occurs more on the bubble, but the current stack sizes place you with a great chance of getting first).

My reasons for doing so are that that range still leaves me a 35-45% chance of losing to the almost inevitable call AND more importantly, my fold lets the SB and BB battle it out, allowing me to potentially be heads up or with the bigger lead over both stacks, both good things. I guess what I am saying is while pushing here is almost certainly +EV, folding and waiting for a more +EV situation later is fine by me.

Here, A8o is a VERY close decision given the right circumstances. I can be quite comfortable folding if I feel the opponents are beatable enough for me to outplay them heads up and/or steal theirs and defend my blind after this hand. most times I push, especially in a 1 table tourney (compared to 2 and 3 table tourneys).

you hold 22 here?

[Angelic_Ace]

It is definitely +EV to push here. The blinds are 1200 alone, and if the BB calls, you are most likely a solid favorite. The SB's calling range here will be quite small unless you've been super aggressive and he is looking to make a stand which could cost him 2nd place.

[QuickLearner]

[ QUOTE ]
It is definitely +EV to push here. The blinds are 1200 alone, and if the BB calls, you are most likely a solid favorite. The SB's calling range here will be quite small unless you've been super aggressive and he is looking to make a stand which could cost him 2nd place.

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Okay. Recognizing that I'm just starting to play STTs and should therefore be ignored at best, wouldn't the SB retain second if both he and the BB go out on the same hand? If that's true and I put myself in his spot and think that hero is just trying to bully the BB, won't my calling standards widen quite a bit?

Also, would a min raise by hero accomplish the same result vis a vis the BB? I think I remember Harrington writing (paraphrased) that a raise which is begging to be called is scarier than a push?

[pooh74]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is definitely +EV to push here. The blinds are 1200 alone, and if the BB calls, you are most likely a solid favorite. The SB's calling range here will be quite small unless you've been super aggressive and he is looking to make a stand which could cost him 2nd place.

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Okay. Recognizing that I'm just starting to play STTs and should therefore be ignored at best, wouldn't the SB retain second if both he and the BB go out on the same hand? If that's true and I put myself in his spot and think that hero is just trying to bully the BB, won't my calling standards widen quite a bit?

Also, would a min raise by hero accomplish the same result vis a vis the BB? I think I remember Harrington writing (paraphrased) that a raise which is begging to be called is scarier than a push?

[/ QUOTE ]

Im going to quote this post and also respond to another.

Pokerlaw, good post, that is my thinking exactly. Fact is, I was relentless in this one and I would fold in this position with many hands. Thing is here, I actually have a hand that is decent 3 way, but w/o fold equity.

again, you guys are all confusing my query as having something to do with the SB. I really dont care about the SB here. His range should be ultra tight here...in fact maybe only QQ-AA and Ak.

The BB is not folding to any raise because half of his chips are in the pot already and the next half will be on nthe next hand leaving 400 behind with, literally, 0 fold equity. The whole point is here that he IS calling no matter what, so is A8 worth it here. I am good for first if I win the hand, but If I really trust my head's up ability, why not go into HU mode with possibly a little less but assure myself not to start the slide into 3rd.

The interesting thing about this hand is the sheer size of the blinds. The BB is priced to call with any 2 and if he wins, he is just as in it as myself or BB. So A8 seems very borderline to me and in hindsight, I think I could fold this given I dont want to creat a 3way crapshoot again.

The

[barry111]

[ QUOTE ]
The BB is not folding to any raise because half of his chips are in the pot already and the next half will be on nthe next hand leaving 400 behind with, literally, 0 fold equity.

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If they play correctly they are not folding to any raise. At the $16 level I have seen the BB fold this many times. I agree that he should not but sometimes they think they might be able to slide into second with a fold.

[pooh74]

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The BB is not folding to any raise because half of his chips are in the pot already and the next half will be on nthe next hand leaving 400 behind with, literally, 0 fold equity.

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If they play correctly they are not folding to any raise. At the $16 level I have seen the BB fold this many times. I agree that he should not but sometimes they think they might be able to slide into second with a fold.

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True...and to be honest, in this case, this guy was capable of folding I think. lol