lets say you are half way into a 500 multi table. 50 places pay and you are an average stack. A pretty conservative player who has just about the same stack as you do goes all in...

What would you call his all in with?
AKs?
AK?
AQs?
AQ
KK?
qq?
jj?

I would probably only call with KK and possible QQ. I would not call with any of the other hands simply because i dont like coinflip possiblities. I think calling all ins with AQ and JJ are just stupid because you maybe very likely beat, even money or just slightly ahead.
with AQ what are you hoping he has? AJ i doubt a player will put all his chips at risk so what are you hoping for? an under pair where you are hoping to when the coinflip?

with JJ you are hoping for 22-1010 but it is more likely that you are facing two over cards or an over pair. If you are better than the field there is no reason you have to take a chance with jacks. I dont think its smart to call all ins with AQ or JJ simply because you are playing a guessing game and you are never a huge favorite(besides JJ vs underpair)

as for AK and Aks i would probably lay it down unless it was a situation where the top 10 or so finishers get paid so much more that it is worth it to "take the chance"

I'd probably call with any 2 cards - because I'm getting fed up by now !!

The way to play these tourneys is to avoid conflict until you have to (or want to). Just aim to see flops cheaply at the lower levels and hum along: conserve energy and be patient.

Where we all go wrong is trying to 'force the game' - let it come to you (if it's going to). There will be plenty of opportunities.


Steve
Seasons greetings and all that to all my readers - thank you for your interesting comment and debate. :good:

It depends on a lot a of things, like the blinds, what action has already occurred.

If he just goes all-in cold, chance are he has crap, and a call with AKs and QQ and maybe even AQ could be +ev in the right conditions.

Generally I dont' like calling all-ins with less than KK though. If you don't have any money in the pot, and your stack is comfortable, there really is no reason to gamble. If there are antes, it makes it more tempting to play.

If he pushes before you are to act, I muck anything but AA and KK. If he is an extremely tight player I muck KK.

EDIT: I'm assuming when you said average stack, you mean at least 20~bbs

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“There's no sense in being precise when you don't even know what you're talking about.” - John von Neumann

A cold all in is not a sign of a bluff... those players are called move in specialists, an do so with quality hands!

OMGWTFBBQ! Andy Black is alive.

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“There's no sense in being precise when you don't even know what you're talking about.” - John von Neumann

Come on, S. Terry. You've never had a 67s and called an all in due to boredom and the feeling that your opponent has no pair? I know I have a few times.

Good to have you aboard, my stouty pale ale brother.

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