Live $500 Buy-In NL Hand

[MarkD]

We are down to about 50 players or so and top 20 get paid. So I have a long ways to go. Blinds are relatively high compared to average stack size, but not insane I suppose. I don't know the average stack size exactly but estimate it is around 25-30k. I have just moved tables about 3 hands prior to the one in question but I know the majority of the table from previous tournaments, previous tables, or prior ring game play.

The majority of the table is semi-decent to good. They are tight. I don't like this table much but I have no choice. Here's the hand.

I have T17K. Blinds are 1k/2k. I am UTG and look down to see 88. BB is a very strong player. The rest of the table is as described above. What is the correct play?

Please provide your reasoning.

[swede123]

Fold. Bad position, weak hand, you still have 8.5 BBs.

Cheers,

Swede

[Jason Strasser]

Ummm...

I wouldn't even think of folding this. Sure you can eat another round of blinds and have some folding equity, but 88 has way enough value here to push. Its not close in my book.

-Jason

[SossMan]

On a tight table like this, I think a push is probably in order, but I don't think it's as clear a case as Jason is saying. In other words, I don't think a fold is atrocious. But, at this table, I would likely push and hope nobody picks up QQ.

[esbesb]

Push.

1. It is too strong a hand to lay down and you are pot committed with any raise;
2. You have to fish or cut baid at some time, having probably 1/2 average stack or so;
3. You have enough folding equity that it's going to be tough for anyone to call you except with a really strong hand;
4. Unless you get a free ride through the blinds you are looking at maybe having to forefeit 3000 chips in the next two hands, thus reducing your folding equity.
5. Maybe you'll get lucky, get called by AK, double up, and be in contention.

[Emperor]

You have played with these guys before so you have an "image".

Are they really going to call an UTG push by you?

If you fold, you'll be down to T14 in 2hands...

7BB and you need a LOT more chips to even think of making the money. I'd be in the push with any playable hand mode here.

I'd be asking myself, "How in the heck am I going to catch up with that chip leader"

I don't think the answer is folding here.

[Jason Strasser]

Really? Justify a fold, I just have no idea how to even begin to.

[Tosh]

I am pushing this for sure.

[bugstud]

I doubt AQ calls, but AK and all overpairs do and no underpairs will. Maybe AQs does.

what's the probablity and equity of that?

[esbesb]

"I doubt AQ calls, but AK and all overpairs do and no underpairs will."

If the table's as tight as he describes, there's a good chance 99 and tt fold.