Ok, so table started with 9 people. Top two get a $75 tournament token, and third gets $66. I don't play very many sats or turbos, but table seemed like an average turbo. What do I do?

Full Tilt Poker
No Limit Holdem Tournament
Blinds: t200/t400
4 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: t2920
Button: t6110
Hero: t2990
BB: t1480

Pre-flop: (4 players) Hero is SB with A K
UTG folds, Button raises to t1480, Hero????????

The thing to note here is the short stack.

He has 1480 before posting a 400 BB.

Is he short enough that we are in fold mode when facing heat from other stacks, or do we still need to push here?

Also, since 3rd place is only $9 less than the token, I'd assume the goal in this one, is to make the money, then try to push up to the token, right?

utg and bb are gonna be crippled after the next orbit and those might be signs of folding if our goal is to slide into the money.

if i were to play this, i push. i'm gambling for a couple of positive outcomes here: button's caught on a steal and folds, increasing our stack by 50%; button calls and we win: we become big stack; either of these outcomes will more often than not accomplish a third objective of the button leaving our blinds alone when they come by us soon.

You understand being the big stack is of little importance, right?

1-2 pay the same, $75 value, spot 3 pays $66. Our stack doesn't matter, so long as we aren't the short stack, and/or have enough to continue to play while the shorty gets systematically eliminated.

You really want to shove into the CL and risk bubbling with the BB so low?

Our goal is NOT to win this SNG. It is to finish in the top 3. Once we are in the top 3, we can go for the extra $9 token. We lose $66 by bubbling.

i say fold it and save your chips to pick on the shortstack in more favorable spots. In this hand your up against one of the players who can eliminate you from the sng on the bubble and you still only have a drawing hand which is verly likely the favorite, but you could still be flipping for all your chips and you also have to watch out for the dreaded suckout.


To me it makes more sense to fold here and not take a gamble against a big stack.

I don't think there is much value in doubling up here (cept a better chance of winning the token) but the other two stacks are small and will have to make a decision for their stack shortly... I'd muck it, CL is the only one you really have to worry about.

I disagree because I don't see us as much ahead of the short stacks right here at the 200/400 level. Anyone can damage anyone's stack right now, and it will take two conditions to eliminate someone. The bigger stack having the best hand by showdown. I see the value of being a big stack here is we have more time to wait for that situation.

I put most value of my push in how we can get the other players to leave our blinds alone because we're saying we're not afraid to gamble in the bubble. Bubble play should be much tighter in a satellite but AK is a top hand, even though it's a drawing hand at best, we can be comfortable of its strength through it's preflop FE. This is dependent on how aggro I think the button is. What if he's not willing to put the short stacks on the leash? Then we're basically stuck where the other short stacks are if they push and he can't find a good enough hand to call, they pick up the blinds and they're all of a sudden even-money with us.

I agree, if you fold this and the shortstack gets one double up, or even two blinds, now you're fighting as one of the shortstacks. Shove the AK, and let the big stack decide if he wants to fight it out on the bubble if he calls and loses the hand. Besides AA or KK, AK is exactly what I want in this situation to move in with. I don't trust the odd raise either, trying to pick the perfect amount.

Any reads on button?

Hes getting 3.22 to 1 on our push..Hes not folding any hand here, and we have to win at showdown in order to not bubble..Does that change your mind at all?

At the time of watching this play out, I thought it was a push, but now looking back on it, with the BB as short as he is, I think its closer to a fold

We need Cop here to do some number crunching or whatever it is he does...Sigh...

There is only $9 difference between 3rd and the 2nd and 1st palce tokens so you are really talking about bubble play in a satellite situation. I am not sure on numbers either but I think a case is definitely made for folding this hand.

I believe you could make a case for folding any hand here(including aces). Just remember you are really playing this hand for an extra $9 where you are in position for losing $66.

I think you gotta fold. Small differenc in 1/2nd and 3rd so its just like a satelitte

Yeah, wtf, is he still in Vegas or something?

I talked to him last weekend and he said hes been crazy busy at work

Last time I talked to him, he was going to be in Vegas starting on the 24th, so he's probably back by now, lol.

Being busy at work is no excuse.

Easy fold. Folding gives us a TON of equity in 3rd place. Second is a very small improvement over third. You are playing 100% for third place. In fact, this is a dream scenario. Big stack pressuring the shorty on the bubble where you stand to fold very easily into 3rd in a VERY flat prize structure. You don't even need to see your cards.