Here is something that came up several times in a recent SNG session... wondered what peoples thoughts on this are:

Early stages 8 or 9 left, 1500 stack and BB30.... MP with A-K and see 2 limps ahead, raise to 120ish and then see a re-raise behind to 300.... limpers fold / no reads.

What are the factors / reasoning that you use to decide whether to shove / call / fold here?

What range do you give the re-raiser (assume from C/O or Button)?

Does the buy-in level of the SNG affect your decision??

Cheers, Mark

1st thought with 2 limpers in front is I would raise more to better define hands that call.
Assigning a range is tough with no reads, an agressive player could see your bet as week and could be squeezing with any med pair+, or a TAG could be clearly labelling his AA, (or on party villan could be building a pot for value with 87s! )
as out of position with no reads folding isn't criminal, at higher levels I would expect that shoving only gets called by hands that have you dominated (AA,KK), even on lower levels I would expect AQ to fold here often enough for a shove to be -ev and a flip at best during the first level.
I would call and give up on the hand if you miss the flop.

As great a hand as AK is, it is still a hand you are drawing to. The raiser probably has a decent hand (AQ+,TT+) but one you may beat after the flop. I call here and see what the flop brings. You still have chips if you have to fold OOP.

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ertrauma


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As my father always said, "Son, choose your sword wisely for some day you may find you must fall on it".

thanks for those replies guys.

What about your relative skill level? If you figure to have a big edge long-term against your opponents does that affect your decision?

Mark

As soon as you have some kind of read on a player however basic it has an impact on how you play the hand.
If you think you have a big edge then during early stages, there is no need to gamble blind, look for better spots.
However I'm probabley not a very good player with a big edge! so I look to avoid difficult decisions. With no reads, I would call and look to get it AI on the flop if I hit my hand, or fold to pressure if I miss.
With any basic read, I would fold to a definate rock, shove to a LAG, and call: bet/fold most of the time.

My play is based on $20 sng's not high levels, I would usually fold AQ pre flop to raise oop, shove AA,KK & call TT-QQ,AK and evaluate flop.