Newbie Question - A 10 os

[Damian UK]

Hi all

in a 20K tourney last night - pays first 30, but 11 left, so everyones waiting for the last person to get busted for the final table - 5 on my table and generally everyone is folding their SB, and blinds fold if anyone raises

I have 30K in chips on the button blinds are 600/1200 (soon to go up)
SB 50K
BB 18K

dealt A [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 10 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] - figure this is a good hand to pick up the blinds, raise 2Xbb - SB thinks and calls.

flop raggedy 9 6 2 with 2 hearts - I bet out 4800 - he raises me All IN - I fold - tho I am now 8K+ down.

So should I have even bothered raising to win the blinds?

should I have just limped in to see the flop?

should I throw it away and wait for AA/KK?

should I have bothered betting the flop?

thoughts most helpful!

The loss made it tough on the final table, was short stacked by the time I got there (still about 20K didn't see another hand on the 5 table and folded my next 2 SB/BB to raisers), tho I did mange 7th and a $650 payday - my best yet!! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

thanks

Damian

[MLG]

raise to 2.5 times the blind or 3 times the blind. You are more likely to steal the blinds. Other than that, you played it fine. you got caught, it happens. congrats on the finish.

[Damian UK]

thanks for the input - will adjust my steal for next time

cheers

Damian

[sloth469]

One of the big problems stealing w/ ATo is you really mind a re-raise. I almost prefer 2 random cards, for 2 reasons. If they re-raise preflop you lay it down nice and easy, and second when you hit a low flop like this you only really fear an over pair. There are a lot of chips to be won w/ sub par holdings this late whne your opponent may be getting a little anxious.

All that said, I play the hand the same way that you did (though I may check the flop and go from there).

Congrats on your biggest pay day to date, must be something in the water around here [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

-sloth