PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t100 (8 handed) converter

Hero (t700)
MP2 (t1730)
CO (t2845)
Button (t965)
SB (t1695)
BB (t910)
UTG (t3825)
UTG+1 (t2330)

Preflop: Hero is MP1 with , .
2 folds, Hero raises to t700, 2 folds, Button raises to t965, 2 folds.

Ok, Here's my reasoning for the push..My M is a little over 4.5, the big stack (UTG) had been fairly agressive and calling raises and such with marginal hands, I was glad he had folded before me. The stacks that followed me could all be wounded by my stack so I felt there was a greater then average chance that they would fold.

My problem was that because of the stack sizes, anybody who called would probably have a high PP or 2 overcards. I had been playing very tight and therefore any raise by me should be respected by an observant person.

I had 1st in vigorish and the blinds were going up in 2 min (depending on the hands dealt, this could be 1 hand, or 3...there was a better then average chance I would have a much lower M by the time the BB rolled around to me and I couldn't count on getting a better hand by then.

I didn't post the results because I'm not focusing on results, I'm looking for comments on my analysis of the situation and whether or not I made the right move based on the information.

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Trons
JstTrons
Toyotatruck

I think it was the wrong time to push.
The button and BB are both horribly shortstacked and likely to make a move themselves.

That said, its either now or next orbit so its a pretty close decision.


Edit: Looking at it again, I think you are just in a tough spot here.

If either of the shortstacks behind has any sort of hand they will be calling.
Its really a bad spot to be in.

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A good education is expensive but ignorance costs more.

So you've been reading some Harrington then :good:

I wouldn't have pushed with that hand. I would have limped hoping to see a cheap flop.

I think you have grasped the points fairly well, the basis of it is right, when your M gets into the amber/red zone then you need to loosen right up. First in Vigorish was right also. The reason I wouldn't have pushed is that there are two player still top act who have very similar M's either of which may fancy calling with A2clubs and busting you out. Were you hoping to get called? If so then you played it perfectly, if not and I suspect is more likely the case you wante dto pick up the blinds, was it worth risking your tournament to increase your M by 1?

Personally I'd have saved the J8 suited all in first vigourish move until after the the blinds have passed me, in the hope of picking up something I can double up on in the meantime.

Good push, IMO. You can't limp for 100 when you only have 700 in your stack. Hope to take down the blinds right there, and if not you have a decent shot of having two live cards to go with your flush draw.

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I'm CDO. It's like OCD, but everying is in order just like it should be.

What is your ultimate goal though. Steal blinds or double up, or either?

Here I'd be happy to get the blinds - I don't want a call since you're likely behind anyone that calls. I think the hand is good enough, though, to take the risk and maybe get lucky if you do get called and maybe manage to double up.

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I'm CDO. It's like OCD, but everying is in order just like it should be.

I see your point. I guess alot depends on the table and your image too. If you just lost a big hand, then obvioulsy now would be a bad time to go blind stealing.

Was this an MTT or a SnG?

Yeah you are in a bad spot here,

I'd probably push, if you take the blinds great if you get called not so bad you probably have 2 live cards, and you'll be a coinflip against an underpair.

You need chips, you can't wait and you are still 5 people from the money.

if this were a SnG I don't think this is a good play, and I would ask why you are this low in chips anyway.

In an MTT it is borderline.