So I played a satellite for the upcoming HPT event at Majestic Star (outside Chicago).

A little about the SNG - it has a super-fast structure. $1700 in starting chips, $25/$50 blinds, and the jump every 10 mins. Entry was $125, and 2 people got seats to the $560 MTT sat into the $2700 Main Event. With such a fast structure I went in looking to go with any hand i picked up early.

I drew the #2 seat and the button started off on the #3 seat, so I was in the hijack.

First hand - folds around to the #10 seat who raised to $250, which was a really troubling raise size. My first thought was he was trying to pick up the pot, and didn't want to see a flop - b/c his raise was so large (5X BB, when I expected people to start off open-raising 2.5 or 3X BB). 1 fold, and I peek A T . Honestly I think all 3 plays work here - call, raise or fold. I opted to call to see a flop b/c I'd have position. Both blinds fold and we take the flop HE. ($575 in pot)

Flop: A K 4 .

Villian Checks and I bet $400 expecting to take it down. Villian c/raises all in and I call. Obv. my call was a little light, but due to the fast structure and my gameplan going in, I thought folding was the wrong play.

My honest range on villian was AX, KQ, maybe KJ suited, QQ, JJ and , though I could see people making this play w/ pairs below JJ. Obv. AK, AQ and AJ were real possiblities, but I was willing to just go with it.

Obv. I lost, but I'm just interested to get people's thoughts on the play.

fold pf ainec

Fold preflop..
Flop play, I think you have to go with it..with this crappy structure, your forced to push/fold after this anyways

Def don't flat call preflop. Imo, it's the only good option at all. I like your flop play, i'd prob bet 350 but that's just nitpicking. I likely call the shove once i've put in 33% of my stack.

You have no idea what you're trying to hit (you want an ace against KK-TT, you want a ten against AK-AJ). Reverse implied odds everywhere here. Fold preflop, or shove if you think you have a lot of fold equity (pretty unlikely imo).

Betting the flop is good, although I sometimes check behind here if I have a good handle on my opponent. That's a bit of an odd play though. Kind of a WA/WB play, but not quite that clear cut.

As played I probably go broke too if he has AJ+.

Ya, this is what I wanted to say before I had to go Reverse implied odds through the roof preflop.

What are your thoughts on checking back the flop?

Prob not doing it with this structure. Usually bet/calling once I flat pre.

The 5x raise preflop is definitely not because he doesnt want a call. In a very fast structure you have to press your edges, and most players who will call 3x will call 5x also. Fold pf.

On the flop you should be considering how you will respond to a c/r BEFORE you make your bet. I would check behind here, because you are almost always behind to any hand that c/r and that is an ugly board to make a decision against. (Of course just the fact that you hit one of your best flops and now have trouble should be a reminder that ATs is a very tough hand to play postflop)