Let me first apologize for the forthcoming mess. My question is more or less a general one, though it stems from my repeated uncertainty on how to play this all too common situation and I'm struggling just how to even explain it! Unfortunately I do not have a specific hand history to aid me, and if further critical information is necessary, I apologize and will make note on the next table it rears its ugly head. Below is just an off hand, random, but realistic scenario:

**20 dollar 10 person SNG; 5 players remaining**
Blinds 100/200
Seat 3: Bob 3000 Button
Seat 4: Kate 4900 SB
Seat 5 Bill 1900 BB
Seat 8: Mary 2200 UTG
Seat 10: Hero 3100 Middle

UTG folds
Hero dealt 99

Now what???

My thoughts and specific troubles:

I want to open this pot and should, correct? Limping is weak, especially when blinds are this much and we're middle stages of a tournament. So i expect to open raise, but how much?? This numerical amount is really the heart of my question and crux in my game.

Standard raise is 600, but is that too much? Should i vary from my norm. (I should tell you that I'm usually pretty diligent when it comes to making standardized raises. That is, i open from early w/ 3x, middle 3.5, button 4...my cards do not determine my open amount; rather, my position dictates my bet). I want to make it too expensive for the big stack in the SB to call, but i dont want to commit too much if i get RR'd by either him or the small stack in the BB.

How do you handle these plays? Do you just say, screw it i'll bring it in for a little less and if they go over the top I'll make my decision then and possibly get out cheap, or do you bump it to 700 and announce, "I'm priced in to call your AI mr. big blind short stack...do you want to coin flip or don't you?" When in reality, I dont want a coin flip to determine my fate. A loss would be crippling and more often than not i'm very confident I will outplay my opponents over the course of the game...the fewer hands I gamble with, the better. I hate coin flips. I feel they take my ability out of the equation and level the playing field with lesser opponents.

Is perhaps the best play there to limp? Gosh i hope not, becase then i'm out of position and really just hoping for a set. I may as well just give them 200 chips and wave a white flag.

PLEASE HELP!! By far, my most scrutinized poker problem of recent memory. I have nightmares about these scenarios!!

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Whether I directly thank you or not, I appreciate every response post I receive. I'm just trying to improve my game and your input is important to me. Thanks so much!

Follow up question:

What do you do when a standard open raise from middle represents at least 1/2 the stack of a blind? Do you modify your open raise to the entire size of said stack, or just anticipate them coming over the top and then calling?

If you were a predatory big stack on the button or a small blind, how would my standard open raise appear to you? Would you think its odd i'm betting 1/2 the small stacks remaining chips and interpret that as weak and push the rest of YOUR chips in or make a big raise??? Would you be more cautious if I opened with a large bet equal to the small stacks remaining chips? or would that further entice u to jam it back on me?

Could you follow that? Does that even make sense??? I think my mind needs a break from cards...

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Whether I directly thank you or not, I appreciate every response post I receive. I'm just trying to improve my game and your input is important to me. Thanks so much!

I think your overthinking the situation. 99 five handed is a very good hand, a standard 3x preflop raise to 600 is the right play to make. if someone repops u all in than you can make the decision either to fold or call not sure what to od depends on the player. I would prolly call but thats just me but most the time you will take the pot down.

Raise 3x. If you are worried about a short stack jamming then don't raise with a hand unless you plan on calling. There is no problem with stealing the blinds with this hand here, this is also not a hand that hates a little action. If someone calls we see what the flop brings and play accordingly. If you are re-popped you go off of what you think of your opponent. I think this situation is pretty cut and dry. Obviously if someone pushes and their stack is a little light to begin with your decision is pretty easy, you are going to have to call. I think the complicated question is what if a big stack re-raises? If the small stack pushes they can be making a move and are in a situation where they have to race but when the big stack jams or raises when he already has chips you really need to evaluate why he might be bluffing or mjore realisticly, that he has a better hand. I think this is a stack size question. Check the stacks behind, you are mostly only fearing a re-raise from a big stack and if a small stack pushes you are not giving yourself much choice so decide before you put any money in the pot what you are willing to do if there are a few shorties behind you.

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"You will succeed far more by capitalizing on your opponents mistakes than you will by the greatness of your own play." --- I am not sure who said this but it is a great quote and piece of advice.


Colorado Players Click Here

Thanks PoWdA...I answered Husky's post in my head before I read the rest of the posts. My plan was raise 3xBB UTG+1 in a 5-handed game, see the flop and play from there. Undercards I bet, overcards I check. A 9 on the flop, I say "Alright!!!"

Signed,

"Learning the lessons I've been taught"

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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".

There is another option: Bet 2.5 x BB and respect position more. Players will notice. You are playing Small Ball and saving a little which as the blinds climb may well be important.

Although there is a mathematical reason you can decide to call or fold when you get reraised, keep in mind that by the middle part of SNG, you should have the players partially (if not fully) pegged. If the BB has proved in the past to be a lying weasel, don't hesitate to call. In my blog I have documented time and time again where I am forced to call an all in bet that I should mathematically fold strictly because in the past the raiser has lied more than a Washington (or Ottawa) politician .

Of course the bluffer caught with his shorts down starts his bluster "How can you call with KJo there you donkey!"

Instead of telling him his raising range reminded me of the Grand Canyon ... ... I content myself with "My cards ... My Call."

As far as your Hero with 99 .. limping is not necessarily weak. It really depends on what kind of player Bill in the BB is. If the SB (out of position!) elects to complete after you limp in with 99, then Bill in the BB can see a free flop. Your read of Bill's past play will tell you what is likely here.

99 is also "just a hand", so see a cheap flop or toss it out ... even 5 or 6 handed. Now I know many people get all sweaty when they see a pocket pair higher than 88. Maniacs get sweaty when they get two cards!

Resist the dark side ... limp. Smart poker players get all suspicious when someone limps in EP or MP ... because it is a favourite tactic of players that have KK or AA that want to try and maximize their "take" in this hand. If I have an aggressive big stack that I *know* is likely to raise me sometime in the game ... I limp with a big hand some of the time.

99 is like a ten year-old with a slingshot and no rocks ... it only looks dangerous!

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flintsword

"The lucky player is usually the player that knows how much to leave to chance."

Blog www.myspace.com/flintsword

Make it 2.5-3.5x. Player dependent on whether you call or fold to a reraise. Default position would be to call.

Do not limp. I prefer folding to limping.

well... that's quite a range of advice. I guess i'll try them all, and see which is most often the successful play. Obviously, there is no "right" play in every situation, so i'm just going to see how it all unfolds over time.

Leave it to poker to provide suggestions when you're so desperately in search of a steadfast rule! But i suppose thats what keeps us coming back...

Thanks for all your help!

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Whether I directly thank you or not, I appreciate every response post I receive. I'm just trying to improve my game and your input is important to me. Thanks so much!

Once again, the quality members on this forum beat me to the punch . All good advice in my opinion. A lot depends on your style, your reads of opponents, what they think of your play, previous shown hands, betting amounts, etc.

I tend to favor just coming in for a standard raise, but Flintswords post was thought provoking.

There's definitely more than one way to play the hand, you just have to chose the right play, at the right time, and base your decisions on previous information.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !

do you have sit and go wizard just download it will tell you in these situations if you have to call or all in or fold it nice try it out.