I don't think pushing is the ONLY option here...

[MrGrob]

Here is the hand…it is from a UB $5 10 man tourney.

Blinds are $75 / $150 (Don’t know how much time till next level.)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Chip Counts:

UTG = $3210.
BUTTON = $1635.
HERO (sb) = $845.
CHIP LEADER (BB) = $9310.

Action:

HERO (sb) posts $75.
CHIP LEADER (BB) posts $150.

UTG: calls
BUTTON: calls
HERO (sb): [Ac] [Td] – GOES ALL IN
CHIP LEADER (BB): folds
UTG: folds
BUTTON: calls the all in

OK, here is the situation and MY thinking:

The button is NOT playing correctly at this time, and is tangling with the big stacks just about every hand. He is also calling off chips on the turn and the river. The sb looks down and see ATo. Yes, he is short stacked, and ATo is not a bad hand 4 way (though I would much prefer suited here). However, there are 2 callers and 2 large stacks in the hand at this point. He raises, and the 2 stacks fold (correctly unless they have something) as they might get into the money if sb busts.

Now, the reasoning for NOT PUSHING here, to me, is this: Both big stacks are in the hand. The button is not a good player, and is capable of bad calls / bad plays. I think that even though pushing is not bad here, letting BOTH big stacks into the hand with the button can be considered, as it is very possible he will self-destruct and let you in the money. Right now, your chance for 1st or 2nd is slim…so you are fighting to make it into the money, and then maybe a higher place later.

So, given the above, would not a fold be a possible way to go, maybe even a better plan, then winging it on a good but dangerous hand? You are losing only $75, and have free hands coming…And recall the ONLY reason I would even consider NOT PUSHING is how bad the button is playing, as I believe there is +EV in letting HIM in with BOTH big stacks now, and being around while he plays a few more hands as he is very capable of shooting himself in the foot and bubbling. Without that possibility, anyone should be pushing all day long here…but what do y’all think?