when your chips are below average

[wrto4556 0]

Let's say i'm playing a MTT, NLHE. blinds are at 200/400 with a 25 ante. I only have 5,000 in chips. Do I call short stacks all ins? I would think not except for with premium pairs. But if someone gos all in with 1,500 in chips, do I call with AK or 77?

[Eskimo 0]

Let's say i'm playing a MTT, NLHE. blinds are at 200/400 with a 25 ante. I only have 5,000 in chips. Do I call short stacks all ins? I would think not except for with premium pairs. But if someone gos all in with 1,500 in chips, do I call with AK or 77?

I would say yes. In that situation its likely to be a coin flip, and its less than 3x BB. Now if a larger stack decides to play also, then i'd stay out of it.

[Spidurman 0]

I'd not call with 77 - if you look at his range of hands, you are a 4:1 dog against a large number of them (bigger pairs). Also, you'll be seeing one or two overcards frequently (race).AK is a drawing hand, but against his range its not bad. Its a race against pairs and a 3:1 favorite vs a smaller ace.You are pretty short, so I wouldn't be concerned about playing SHORTER stacks without a premium hand. I would be more focused on doubling through a bigger stack. Assuming you are nine handed - it costs $825 per round, so a $1500 call isn't even two orbits of chips. All it does is make your double through a bit juicer at the risk of crippling you entirely. You do have enough chips to be patient, just not to manuever.With a larger stack in play, I'd play AK and big pairs only as third in - but if you get the 1500 in and then are set all in, you might be getting the right price to call with a wide variety of hands.

[mk 11]

You have enough chips to be fairly patient, but a low enough stack that you can start taking some risks.With those two things in mind, I would say no to calling all-ins from short stacks. I'd stay away from anyone showing signs of strength. You should be willing to gamble a bit by getting all-in yourself with premium hands pre-flop (when no one else is in yet, or if there are limpers or a minimal raise to your right), in hopes of doubling up. That way, you can win by everyone folding, or by having your hand hold up.It is sooo important at these stages of MTTs to be patient. I don't know how many times I've felt the need to get overly aggressive with marginal holdings pre-flop (AQ, AJ, KQ, small pairs, etc.) only to bust out.

[wrto4556 0]

You have enough chips to be fairly patient, but a low enough stack that you can start taking some risks.With those two things in mind, I would say no to calling all-ins from short stacks.  I'd stay away from anyone showing signs of strength.  You should be willing to gamble a bit by getting all-in yourself with premium hands pre-flop (when no one else is in yet, or if there are limpers or a minimal raise to your right), in hopes of doubling up.  That way, you can win by everyone folding, or by having your hand hold up.It is sooo important at these stages of MTTs to be patient.  I don't know how many times I've felt the need to get overly aggressive with marginal holdings pre-flop (AQ, AJ, KQ, small pairs, etc.) only to bust out.

This was my basic thinking as all of it happened.I folded 99, and AKs. My brother almost cried. But I doubled up from a big stack with AA, then played my chips and position and built a hefty 44,000. I doubled up twice, actually, I just can't remember what the other hand was. Went on to get down to 80 people out of 2,300 with the blinds at 1000/2000...to get busted by JJ against my AA. He hit a set on the turn, I went out and had spagetti and a case of beer.Patience is the key at this part of the tournament. With the blinds so hi, its dangerous to get creative when you're low because being low and being crippled are completely different things.