Q9o UTG, shortstacked

[King_J]

10$ NL at stars. 48 players left (697 started). I am shortstacked with T5200. Blinds are 1000-2000 with 100 ante. I am already in the money but the real money is in the top nine with the top three that pays big. I pick up Q [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]9 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] UTG. Big blind is a solid player.

Whats my move and why?

[SoCalPat]

I think you have a clear fold here.

Assuming the blinds aren't going to go up soon, you have enough to make it through the next orbit. And if one of the bigger stacks calls, you're most assuredly behind.

It's an unsuited two-gap out of position, so you're definitely not limping. I'd cross my fingers and hope I get something better later. The extra hands you play might be good enough to get you up a few more spots (although by your account, it's not what you're after), but in your position, anything extra is a bonus.

I just don't think Q9o qualifies as a hand to move all-in with when you're close to the felt and desperate. Not when you have the possibility of being dealt another 10 hands or so. Now, if it were suited, or you had QJo, I'd consider moving in here.

[trillig]

I agree, you still have some time, don't go out with that...

Any Ace is much better!

-t

[Al_Capone_Junior]

Fold. You have almost two rounds before you'll be out. You don't stand to win the hand very often if you are called, and your all-in will not deter anyone with a large stack from calling, as they will see that you are desperate and call you with all kinds of hands.

al

[Copernicus]

With the blinds coming up its hard to fault an all-in, which is what I assume the other responses say, but I still wouldnt do it. Even down to 2200 after the two blinds there is still an entire orbit to pick up a better hand, or at least an equal one without 8 behind you to call. Q9o is probably 5/1 or 6/1 underdog from UTG. I think the chances of getting back to this point from 2200 is at least that good.

I'm shocked that Im in the majority! the unanimity even, lol

[Gladiator]

What i think you all fail to realize is that, this is the last chance to win uncontested.

And u have a fair chance to do so, and if you get called you still should have about a 40% chance of survival.

If you fold here you will probably lose your blinds and be down to T2200 and now you have to show the best hand in order to advance. Therefore you are likely to bust out this round. Though if the initial raise succeeded and won the blinds then u have another shot this round at winning uncontested and advance.

The chance of winning the pot uncontested is so great to have that it is worth taking the shot with a mediocre hand as Q [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]9 [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

// Gladiator

[King_J]

Our hero (Gladiator) moved all-in. I didn´t like it and he was called by jacks. He won that hand and tons of others all-in.

He came back and was playing fourhanded I think when the luck finally decided to change and he lost all-in preflop with AK against AJ.

What does them say, What comes around, goes around?
(Or am I way off?)

[storm_madden]

It's not a completely awful play because your cards are little less likely to be dominated if you get called. But If you are playing more than 8 handed it's better I think to fold and pray for a good hand in BB. You have a slightly better than average hand. The key is:

1) how tight the table is right now,
2) your table image (If you are perceived as wild or just lost a big pot, maybe wait for the BB. If you have "Tight Guy" equity, now might be the time to spend it)
3) and especially how many players at the table. 10 or 9 handed I'm just going to wait, 8 handed or less I would consider it.

I was in a similar situation once. Final table 8 handed I have 75s UTG. I have a little more than 2xBB. Tournament window says blinds will rise next hand and I'm pretty sure a few players aren't paying attention. The table is tight so I go ahead and shove it in, get called by a real hand and get busted. I think this was a bad play in retrospect, but not awful. Sklansky has made some posts about the shot stack-UTG type of situation and I think he suggests there are some situations where you can make some strange looking all-in moves from UTG, IIRC.