I'm beginning to feel like one of my biggest leaks in my sng game is short-handed play right before the final 3 (4 or 5 handed, just before payout positions). Tonight, for example, the people are beginning to clamp up (as expected from them) and playing much tighter. Blinds get stolen back and forth between players, and no real moves are made. I'm getting dry cards and am at about 3k in chips at 100/200 blinds. Despite everyone's tightness, the minute I raise the blinds, I get reraised and cockblocked, multiple times. Frustrating.

What's the standard strategy at this point in a single table sng? Which positions in particular are the best to steal from, and what things am I most looking for when considering a steal? Say I'm attempting a steal with a marginal hand (say, J9o/s) in middle position and I'm reraised. Should I call to see the flop?

Personally I try to limit steals with marginal hands to the button and possibly SB if BB is shortstacked and its folded to me.

Any other position and you are probably better off sticking to your normal range and avoiding butting up against a big stack who has value in making the call.

Also what you do here depends on the pay structure. In a 10man only the top 3 places pay so you want to be careful who you are stealing against. If it is final table of a 180 man and you are already well in the money it might be ok to be a little looser although you still really want to win and if not end up in the top 3 for a decent payout.

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hers the thing my friend.

You still have 15 BB so don't get nervous the end is near. Yes its looming a little sooner as you are playing 4 handed but steal every other time the button hits you if you don't have a great hand. it wil look more random then the typical button steal in position time and again.

Also, don't go broke on the BUBBLE! your first mission EVERY time you play is to get to a cash position first! then open it up and try to move up. nothing more nerve racking to people then a guy who has nothing to lose!

also, by now you should have your opponents profiled pretty well. exploit the player who is still playing mouse tight and scared! steal his chips by raising him if he playes weak. if he calls , give him credit for a hand, extimate the range of hands he'd play, then if you think he airs out the flop, FIRE ONE! take that pot and build your stack.

Finally, beaware of the size of your opponents stack if you are going to try to steal w/ the J9os you describe. if the raise is much more than 335-40% of his stack, he may as well ship it or fold as calling leaves him very little power to control the flop.

I play tight early and open my play up when the blinds get bigger and the villains are clamping up and waiting for the almighty AK or 10,10 on up. nobody ever wins the game in the first 4 levels!

There is no standard strategy. It really depends on how good the player is. If you don't feel comfortable stealing blinds during that period then just sit tight until a big hand and shove. If you feel comfortable playing people than attempt to steal and try to outplay them. Standard strategy is do what you feel comfortable with. If you do something you're not comfortable with you will surely lose.