I was wondering if anyone else is seeing this in a SNG, the all-in move heads up. I have played many SNG's and do alright in them. I have recently noticed when I get heads up with someone they start pushing from the first hand. Normally the stacks are pretty equal 1,000 chip advantage either way. The blinds have been low compared to stack sizes 100/200. It can be very frustrating at times when you get no hands to play. I normally just start laughing when I see it because I know I will catch a monster and then they are done. You can trap a person like this very easily just limp in on the button with a really big hand and they will push and you will become a monster chip leader. But I was wondering if anyone else has seen this? Maybe it is the Kill Phil method?

I actually like this approach because then you know that your opponent is pretty much clueless. Eventually you will catch a big ace or a pair and if they don't suck out you will put yourself in charge of the table. I was once in this situation when down to 3 players. One guy pushed or reraised all in 90% of hands. Then I got AA two hands in a row and he open folded both times!

I love it too. Especially when you come back on them and they get frustrated and basically say to themselves I can't beat this guy. Might as well race with them. I just thought it was interesting that I see it a lot more then I used to.

I don't really like it much. It forces you to catch a big hand. It's not terible early in a tournament because you can let them steal away, but when the blinds get bigger this strategy puts a lot of pressure on you, you are forced to pick up a hand or gamble sometimes.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !

Yeah it definitely has to do with the blinds when you get heads up. If they are low you can just wait, but if they are high he may be correct to push anyway! I think it tells you that the player is not comfortable playing heads up with you, but he kind of stomps on your extra equity from being a skilled player with this approach.

If the blinds are high 200/400, 300/500 I am pushing like crazy with any two cards. Most of the times in the SNG's you will be heads up with pretty small blinds compared to your stack size. In all reality you will probably have around 20-30 times the blind.

when blinds reach 300-600 is when I start to push with really any ace or any hand that equals 20 or 21. But when ppl are push with 100-200 that means they know they are outmatched and have no idea how to win consistently.

I actually have a bit of trouble when this strategy is employed on me. I just have problems identifying what my call reflex should actually be.

Do you snap AJ? 44?

At 200/400+ your call reflex becomes a bit more obvious, but when stacks are 6-7k at 100/200 and they are moving every hand, it becomes hard. Because if you let them keep stealing, they are going to be able to use their chip lead at 200/400, but if you snap one too weakly, your often 60/40 at best.

once the blinds get to 200-400 or 300-600 this is not a bad tactic......

Nothing frustrates good players more than the all in move. By the time they may finally pick up a hand worth calling with you have such a chip advantage that it will not hurt as much or who knows you may get lucky and hit. If he calls with something like ak and you have 45 you are still drawing live.

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Kickboyswoop