MTT learning experience

[swede0530]

This seems like a situation that comes up quite a bit. I'm looking to learn and get some opinions.

Paradise Pina MTT approximately 800 players ($5 buy-in, no rb or ao's)

Bubble at 90 (money back 70 - 90 and increments upwards from there. Win pays about 900)

Blinds 400/800, ante 50
Stack size ~8000T, slightly below average
Tournament point, just before second break, blinds to 600/1200 after break, antes up to 75 also.
No reads as I was just moved to the table about one orbit previous.

I'm under the gun and get AJx

Raise to 2400T hoping for blinds and ante steal or a reckless call.
Slightly smaller stack in the CO goes all in.
I think a bit and call.

CO shows AA and I take a huge hit (down to 650T) and am out in 106th the next hand.

Hindsight seems to indicate a fold pre-flop UTG but......

[betgo]

With 10xBB, AJo is generally a fold UTG. In some live tournaments where the antes are as big as the blinds, push or raise.

Since the play was tight on the bubble, maybe you could loosen up, but no one is going to fold JJ-AA and AQ-AK.

Fold or limp. I know it's the bubble and you have a good hand, but your position and stack size make it difficult to play.