Too long, didn't read...
I thought that posting this hand history from a session today would be a good learning exercise in getting to the money when short and blinds are high.
It started off like any other SNG, I folded the first 25 hands and the blinds are now 200/400 and I’m super short on chips (1245) with 6 players remaining. With 3bb in this situation you are going to have to get lucky. That is obvious. But you are not only going to have to get lucky, you have to be willing to put yourself in positions to get lucky. By the way this is going to be a pretty long post, but hopefully will be educational.
All the comments will come after the action, to let you know what I was thinking for each move.
Seat 1: Pista2 (1725 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1670 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1245 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1260 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4975 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2625 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts small blind 200
spotupj: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7h 6d]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
Pista2: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1245 to 1645 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1150 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Pretty standard here, yes we have to double sometime, but calling someone’s all in with 7 high will never show a profit unless for some reason you are being offered about 3-1 odds.
Seat 1: Pista2 (1700 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2395 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1020 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (835 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4950 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2600 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts small blind 200
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [2h 9h]
sterlng: folds
Pista2: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: raises 410 to 810 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: calls 410
Pista2: calls 410
*** FLOP *** [5h Ts 6h]
CHOCWHYTE: checks
Pista2: bets 400
CHOCWHYTE: folds
*** TURN *** [5h Ts 6h] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [5h Ts 6h 8c] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
spotupj: shows [Ad 8d] (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Pista2: shows [Ac 5c] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
spotupj collected 2580 from pot
Again standard, the presence of the EP limper makes our push a guaranteed –EV play as not only do we have no folding equity, there is almost no chance that we have the best hand.
Seat 1: Pista2 (865 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2370 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (995 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2580 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4115 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2575 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 200
sterlng: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 9h]
Pista2: folds
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 570 to 970 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: calls 770
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [8d 2c 8s]
*** TURN *** [8d 2c 8s] [2s]
*** RIVER *** [8d 2c 8s 2s] [9d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CHOCWHYTE: shows [5c 5s] (two pair, Eights and Fives)
RikkiDee: shows [Qs 9h] (two pair, Nines and Eights)
RikkiDee collected 2490 from pot
Alright so this is basically what we are “waiting” for. When pushing with less than 3bb you have to assume that the BB will pretty much always call your push. So basically it is +EV to push any 2 cards that are favored over a random hand here. Since we are the BB in 2 hands, Q9 has a decent chance of being the best hand we’ll see. Additionally, the longer you wait to push, the more people you’ll have to push through, and the more chances you’ll run into a bigger hand. Obviously I got lucky winning this coinflip and I now have at least a chance to win this.
Seat 1: Pista2 (840 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2345 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2490 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2555 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2150 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts small blind 200
Pista2: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7h 6d]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 200
Pista2: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs Jd Qc]
sterlng: bets 1200
Pista2: calls 415 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Qs Jd Qc] [8d]
*** RIVER *** [Qs Jd Qc 8d] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [9s Tc] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
Pista2: shows [5c Kd] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
sterlng collected 1780 from pot
Obviously both these players suck.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2320 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2465 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2530 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3095 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3090 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts small blind 200
RikkiDee: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 5s]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [9h 5d 4s]
RikkiDee: bets 2040 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1125 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
So here some noob limps on the button. Now generally I may be scared of a late game limper as people tend to do that with AA/KK, but this particular opponent ended up being a total fish and limped all game with any 2, so I didn’t expect him to have a monster here. I had the option of pushing preflop, which I may do occasionally but usually I’ll need a better hand, one that would be a favorite against his limping range if he decides to do a dreaded limp-call. The flop is a pretty easy push, and if he has a 9 for some unknown reason then gg, but those 1125 chips in the pot are too valuable to my stack to not take a shot with 2nd pair here.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2095 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3165 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2505 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3070 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2665 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts small blind 200
spotupj: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Kd 8h]
CHOCWHYTE: calls 400
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1670 to 2070 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1525 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Standard fold, no idea why people are still limping.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3195 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2940 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2080 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2645 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2640 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts small blind 200
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qd 6h]
sterlng: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: checks
*** FLOP *** [9d 4c 3c]
CHOCWHYTE: bets 400
sterlng: folds
CHOCWHYTE collected 1125 from pot
Standard fold. I’ll probably be pushing something like 55+, ATs+ here with 1 limper in there.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3170 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2915 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1855 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3345 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2215 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 200
sterlng: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7s 8s]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 2490 to 2890 and is all-in
spotupj: calls 1830 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [3d 9c Ks]
*** TURN *** [3d 9c Ks] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [3d 9c Ks Jc] [Jh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [7s 8s] (a pair of Jacks)
spotupj: shows [As Kc] (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
spotupj collected 4385 from pot
Actually looking back on this, it was a pretty marginal push. But generally in situations where there are 5 left and blinds are huge, you really have to take advantage of the fact that no one wants to bust out. Additionally because you are so close to your opponents in chips you basically have to push more often to gain a lead over them. You can definitely push here with non-premium hands but you should basically be sticking to 2 face cards and any pair. I think I probably pushed here because they were soooted connectors than anything else.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3145 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1060 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (4385 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1790 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 300
pmjk3452: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [8d Qh]
RikkiDee: raises 410 to 1010 and is all-in
spotupj: raises 3325 to 4335 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
*** FLOP *** [2h 8c 2d]
*** TURN *** [2h 8c 2d] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [2h 8c 2d 4s] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [8d Qh] (a full house, Deuces full of Eights)
spotupj: shows [Ah Kd] (three of a kind, Deuces)
RikkiDee collected 3170 from pot
After losing that last all-in I’m down to less than 2bb. So in this situation, I’ll push any hand that figures to be reasonably better than the random hand I’ll get next in the BB. Occasionally I’ll fold here and take my chances in the BB next hand as then if I do manage to win, I’ll have 5 more hands before my next BB, whereas even if I win this hand I have the BB next anyways, taking 600 out immediately. Tough spot really, and I got lucky.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2495 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3325 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3070 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1440 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
pmjk3452: posts small blind 300
RikkiDee: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jh 7c]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1845 to 2445 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1450 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
This fold here is actually closer to a call than most people would think. This opponent has already shown an aggressive pushing strategy throughout this late game, so his range will be extremely wide here. Additionally I am getting almost 2-1 odds on this pot where there is probably about a 30-40% chance that I have the best hand if he is correctly pushing any 2 cards. But since he would probably fold really terrible hands, I should stick to calling with any pair, any ace K7+ and QTs+.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3295 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2520 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3020 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1390 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 300
spotupj: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Ah 2d]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 600
pmjk3452: raises 2645 to 3245 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
sterlng: calls 740 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8h Jc 8c]
*** TURN *** [8h Jc 8c] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [8h Jc 8c Tc] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [Td Qs] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
pmjk3452: shows [Kd Qc] (a pair of Eights)
sterlng collected 3830 from pot
Limp call with QT, beauty.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1905 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2625 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3830 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 300
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [6d 2h]
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1255 to 1855 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1750 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3005 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2120 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2320 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3780 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 300
sterlng: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Th Kh]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 1470 to 2070 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1750 from pot
This should be a standard play by everyone with this hand and these blinds. It’s pretty much profitable to push any 2 here actually, even with a massive calling station in the BB.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2955 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3220 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2225 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3130 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 300
pmjk3452: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [2d Kc]
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: raises 1575 to 2175 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
spotupj collected 1750 from pot
spotupj: doesn't show hand
Here the situation changes a bit in that I have a much worse hand, more chips and worse position. Unless everyone is super tight, pushing here isn’t a smart move. Given that I’ve pushed fairly frequently, it may be worth it to throw away some of these marginal situations that might gain a spite call from angry station.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2305 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3325 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2780 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
pmjk3452: posts small blind 300
RikkiDee: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Th 5c]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: raises 1270 to 1870 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
CHOCWHYTE collected 1750 from pot
This again is a very close call. Obviously he isn’t pushing only strong hands here, and the pot is offering a very tasty 2-1. Two things make this a fold though. This particular player is very passive, and probably is at least pushing a decent hand. Second, while I’m getting 2-1, if I call and lose I’ll be crippled and lose all my folding equity for future pushes, which is vital.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1955 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2520 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3020 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2730 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 300
spotupj: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qd 2c]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: raises 2080 to 2680 and is all-in
pmjk3452: calls 1905 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
*** FLOP *** [8s 5c 2s]
*** TURN *** [8s 5c 2s] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [8s 5c 2s 6h] [5d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [Tc Ts] (two pair, Tens and Fives)
pmjk3452: shows [Ac 3c] (a pair of Fives)
sterlng collected 4960 from pot
Good example of someone who can’t push without a hand. This passive calling station has limped all day and now he finally figures out how to raise, so of course he has TT.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2625 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (5735 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 400
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [5d Jh]
sterlng: calls 800
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: checks
*** FLOP *** [5c 5h Qs]
CHOCWHYTE: checks
sterlng: bets 3200
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng collected 2200 from pot
sterlng: shows [Kd Qh] (two pair, Queens and Fives)
The blinds rise again and we are still not in the money. Again the stupid calling station limps, nullifying my potential push and would be trips. Oh well.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2120 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2175 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7085 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Td Th]
RikkiDee: raises 1270 to 2070 and is all-in
spotupj: raises 55 to 2125 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [Jh 8s 6h]
*** TURN *** [Jh 8s 6h] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [Jh 8s 6h Ks] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [Td Th] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
spotupj: shows [Tc Ts] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
RikkiDee collected 2770 from pot
spotupj collected 2770 from pot
Here I get super lucky then unlucky in that I pick up a premium hand but get called by the same hand and chop. Oh well at least we still gained some chips from the blinds.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2770 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2825 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1670 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6235 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 400
RikkiDee: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [4c Qc]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 400
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [3s 8s 5d]
sterlng: bets 2400
RikkiDee: folds
sterlng collected 1800 from pot
Honestly, pushing his limp here is probably marginally +EV. But since he has already shown he will limp/call all-ins with shit hands, I can’t figure that Q4o is going to be a big favorite. Additionally the 2bb stack is going to be BB in 2 hands, so I can afford to be patient.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2775 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1620 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7185 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
spotupj: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Tc Qc]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee: raises 1070 to 1870 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
RikkiDee collected 1800 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Here is by far the easiest push that exists in SNGs. I have way too good of a hand for this situation as I’m pretty much going to be pushing any 2 cards here into this BB who not only hasn’t called any all-ins yet, but knows that the UTG player is the BB next hand and will probably be all in himself.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2870 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1925 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1570 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7135 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 400
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [8c Qs]
sterlng: raises 1600 to 2400
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng collected 2200 from pot
sterlng: shows [As Kh] (high card Ace)
Another example of this fish not knowing how to raise properly (ie every hand). By the way I push this from the BB if UTG folds. I push it for 2 reasons. One, for the slight chance that the BB actually folds I can steal the blinds. Two, because the BB is going to be calling here with any 2 cards, Q8o is a solid favorite over that range.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2820 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1475 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (720 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (8485 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [5h Jc]
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: calls 270 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [7h As 6h]
*** TURN *** [7h As 6h] [3d]
sterlng said, "GL"
*** RIVER *** [7h As 6h 3d] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CHOCWHYTE: shows [Ks 2h] (high card Ace)
sterlng: shows [Kc Ts] (high card Ace - King+Ten kicker)
sterlng said, "GG"
sterlng collected 1540 from pot
J5 sucks here, let the BB bust the SB.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2770 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1425 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (9305 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
spotupj: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [3h Ac]
sterlng: raises 1600 to 2400
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: calls 575 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [5s 6h 8s]
*** TURN *** [5s 6h 8s] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [5s 6h 8s 3c] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
spotupj: shows [Ad 8c] (a pair of Eights)
sterlng: shows [8h 8d] (three of a kind, Eights)
sterlng said, "gg"
sterlng collected 3300 from pot
Again, even more evidence to the fact that this guy can’t raise without a really nice hand. I almost pushed here until I remembered that. Plus the BB was basically all in too.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2320 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (11180 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Kh 4h]
RikkiDee: raises 1470 to 2270 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1700 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Heads up now. Luck continues to be something I need, but I also will be pushing almost any 2 cards here, especially with my chip stack. Luck has to come more in the form of him not picking up a decent hand rather than me getting them.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (10330 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 400
RikkiDee: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 9h]
sterlng: calls 400
RikkiDee: raises 2320 to 3120 and is all-in
sterlng: calls 2320
*** FLOP *** [3c Qd Ah]
*** TURN *** [3c Qd Ah] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [3c Qd Ah 2c] [Tc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [Qs 9h] (a pair of Queens)
sterlng: shows [Ts 9c] (a pair of Tens)
RikkiDee collected 6340 from pot
This one was a no brainer for me. I’ve already seen time and time again that he limps with shit and raises with good hands. I knew that even if he did decide to limp call I probably would be ahead, and I was.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (6340 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7160 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Ks 8h]
sterlng said, "n1"
RikkiDee: raises 5490 to 6290 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1700 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Now that I’ve gotten even, I’ll become a bit more selective in my pushes, but this is still a trivially easy push.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7190 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6310 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [6s Th]
sterlng: calls 600
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 5h Jh]
RikkiDee: checks
sterlng: bets 4800
RikkiDee: folds
sterlng collected 2550 from pot
Again, he probably is still limping with trash, but I have trash here so I’ll see the free flop and let him take it down. I just think of it as him pushing preflop and winning the pot anyways.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (5915 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7585 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
RikkiDee: posts small blind 600
sterlng: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jc 9d]
RikkiDee: raises 4640 to 5840 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 2550 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Still a trivially easy push.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7190 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6310 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jd Qc]
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1350 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
I’d probably push if he limped, and fold if he pushed.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7865 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (5635 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
RikkiDee: posts small blind 600
sterlng: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [3s 6d]
RikkiDee: raises 6590 to 7790 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 2550 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Blinds go up again. This is a very marginal push, and I probably should have folded, but since I hadn’t seen him make really any marginal calls with hands like J8o unless he had limped already that I figure that he would fold enough to make this profitable. Usually when I make this type of push because I notice they are folding too much they end up calling that hand with J2, but not this time.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (9140 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (4360 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [As 6d]
sterlng: calls 600
RikkiDee: raises 7865 to 9065 and is all-in
sterlng: calls 3085 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [5d 9h Qd]
*** TURN *** [5d 9h Qd] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [5d 9h Qd 6c] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [As 6d] (a pair of Sixes)
sterlng: shows [6s Kd] (a pair of Sixes - lower kicker)
RikkiDee collected 8720 from pot
Again he continues with his retarded limp/call strategy. Again A6 is way ahead of his limping range so it’s an easy push.
So yes, I got lucky. But this is by no means an anomaly. Almost every game I play has these exact elements in them. Winning when it gets late and the blinds get big comes down to being able to push marginal edges to chip up on your opponents to gain additional folding equity. The balance comes in occasionally when you are faced with a very marginal push situation that you may want to forego due to the loss of credibility for future pushes. As well never underestimate the willingness of fish to bust on the bubble, so occasionally it is better to just wait it out.
It started off like any other SNG, I folded the first 25 hands and the blinds are now 200/400 and I’m super short on chips (1245) with 6 players remaining. With 3bb in this situation you are going to have to get lucky. That is obvious. But you are not only going to have to get lucky, you have to be willing to put yourself in positions to get lucky. By the way this is going to be a pretty long post, but hopefully will be educational.
All the comments will come after the action, to let you know what I was thinking for each move.
Seat 1: Pista2 (1725 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1670 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1245 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1260 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4975 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2625 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts small blind 200
spotupj: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7h 6d]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
Pista2: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1245 to 1645 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1150 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Pretty standard here, yes we have to double sometime, but calling someone’s all in with 7 high will never show a profit unless for some reason you are being offered about 3-1 odds.
Seat 1: Pista2 (1700 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2395 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1020 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (835 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4950 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2600 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts small blind 200
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [2h 9h]
sterlng: folds
Pista2: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: raises 410 to 810 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: calls 410
Pista2: calls 410
*** FLOP *** [5h Ts 6h]
CHOCWHYTE: checks
Pista2: bets 400
CHOCWHYTE: folds
*** TURN *** [5h Ts 6h] [8c]
*** RIVER *** [5h Ts 6h 8c] [As]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
spotupj: shows [Ad 8d] (two pair, Aces and Eights)
Pista2: shows [Ac 5c] (two pair, Aces and Fives)
spotupj collected 2580 from pot
Again standard, the presence of the EP limper makes our push a guaranteed –EV play as not only do we have no folding equity, there is almost no chance that we have the best hand.
Seat 1: Pista2 (865 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2370 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (995 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2580 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (4115 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2575 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 200
sterlng: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 9h]
Pista2: folds
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 570 to 970 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: calls 770
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [8d 2c 8s]
*** TURN *** [8d 2c 8s] [2s]
*** RIVER *** [8d 2c 8s 2s] [9d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CHOCWHYTE: shows [5c 5s] (two pair, Eights and Fives)
RikkiDee: shows [Qs 9h] (two pair, Nines and Eights)
RikkiDee collected 2490 from pot
Alright so this is basically what we are “waiting” for. When pushing with less than 3bb you have to assume that the BB will pretty much always call your push. So basically it is +EV to push any 2 cards that are favored over a random hand here. Since we are the BB in 2 hands, Q9 has a decent chance of being the best hand we’ll see. Additionally, the longer you wait to push, the more people you’ll have to push through, and the more chances you’ll run into a bigger hand. Obviously I got lucky winning this coinflip and I now have at least a chance to win this.
Seat 1: Pista2 (840 in chips)
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2345 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2490 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2555 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2150 in chips)
Pista2: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts small blind 200
Pista2: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7h 6d]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 200
Pista2: checks
*** FLOP *** [Qs Jd Qc]
sterlng: bets 1200
Pista2: calls 415 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Qs Jd Qc] [8d]
*** RIVER *** [Qs Jd Qc 8d] [8c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [9s Tc] (a straight, Eight to Queen)
Pista2: shows [5c Kd] (two pair, Queens and Eights)
sterlng collected 1780 from pot
Obviously both these players suck.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2320 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2465 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2530 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3095 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3090 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
pmjk3452: posts small blind 200
RikkiDee: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 5s]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [9h 5d 4s]
RikkiDee: bets 2040 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1125 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
So here some noob limps on the button. Now generally I may be scared of a late game limper as people tend to do that with AA/KK, but this particular opponent ended up being a total fish and limped all game with any 2, so I didn’t expect him to have a monster here. I had the option of pushing preflop, which I may do occasionally but usually I’ll need a better hand, one that would be a favorite against his limping range if he decides to do a dreaded limp-call. The flop is a pretty easy push, and if he has a 9 for some unknown reason then gg, but those 1125 chips in the pot are too valuable to my stack to not take a shot with 2nd pair here.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2095 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3165 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2505 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3070 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2665 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts small blind 200
spotupj: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Kd 8h]
CHOCWHYTE: calls 400
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1670 to 2070 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1525 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Standard fold, no idea why people are still limping.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3195 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2940 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2080 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2645 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2640 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts small blind 200
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qd 6h]
sterlng: calls 400
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: checks
*** FLOP *** [9d 4c 3c]
CHOCWHYTE: bets 400
sterlng: folds
CHOCWHYTE collected 1125 from pot
Standard fold. I’ll probably be pushing something like 55+, ATs+ here with 1 limper in there.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3170 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2915 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1855 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3345 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2215 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 25
RikkiDee: posts the ante 25
spotupj: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 25
sterlng: posts the ante 25
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 200
sterlng: posts big blind 400
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [7s 8s]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 2490 to 2890 and is all-in
spotupj: calls 1830 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [3d 9c Ks]
*** TURN *** [3d 9c Ks] [Jc]
*** RIVER *** [3d 9c Ks Jc] [Jh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [7s 8s] (a pair of Jacks)
spotupj: shows [As Kc] (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
spotupj collected 4385 from pot
Actually looking back on this, it was a pretty marginal push. But generally in situations where there are 5 left and blinds are huge, you really have to take advantage of the fact that no one wants to bust out. Additionally because you are so close to your opponents in chips you basically have to push more often to gain a lead over them. You can definitely push here with non-premium hands but you should basically be sticking to 2 face cards and any pair. I think I probably pushed here because they were soooted connectors than anything else.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3145 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1060 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (4385 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1790 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 300
pmjk3452: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [8d Qh]
RikkiDee: raises 410 to 1010 and is all-in
spotupj: raises 3325 to 4335 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
*** FLOP *** [2h 8c 2d]
*** TURN *** [2h 8c 2d] [4s]
*** RIVER *** [2h 8c 2d 4s] [2c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [8d Qh] (a full house, Deuces full of Eights)
spotupj: shows [Ah Kd] (three of a kind, Deuces)
RikkiDee collected 3170 from pot
After losing that last all-in I’m down to less than 2bb. So in this situation, I’ll push any hand that figures to be reasonably better than the random hand I’ll get next in the BB. Occasionally I’ll fold here and take my chances in the BB next hand as then if I do manage to win, I’ll have 5 more hands before my next BB, whereas even if I win this hand I have the BB next anyways, taking 600 out immediately. Tough spot really, and I got lucky.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2495 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3325 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3070 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1440 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
pmjk3452: posts small blind 300
RikkiDee: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jh 7c]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1845 to 2445 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1450 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
This fold here is actually closer to a call than most people would think. This opponent has already shown an aggressive pushing strategy throughout this late game, so his range will be extremely wide here. Additionally I am getting almost 2-1 odds on this pot where there is probably about a 30-40% chance that I have the best hand if he is correctly pushing any 2 cards. But since he would probably fold really terrible hands, I should stick to calling with any pair, any ace K7+ and QTs+.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3295 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2520 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3020 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (1390 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 300
spotupj: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Ah 2d]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 600
pmjk3452: raises 2645 to 3245 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
sterlng: calls 740 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [8h Jc 8c]
*** TURN *** [8h Jc 8c] [Tc]
*** RIVER *** [8h Jc 8c Tc] [4s]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [Td Qs] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
pmjk3452: shows [Kd Qc] (a pair of Eights)
sterlng collected 3830 from pot
Limp call with QT, beauty.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1905 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2625 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3830 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 300
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [6d 2h]
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: raises 1255 to 1855 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
pmjk3452 collected 1750 from pot
pmjk3452: doesn't show hand
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (3005 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2120 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2320 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3780 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 300
sterlng: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Th Kh]
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: raises 1470 to 2070 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1750 from pot
This should be a standard play by everyone with this hand and these blinds. It’s pretty much profitable to push any 2 here actually, even with a massive calling station in the BB.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2955 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3220 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2225 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (3130 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 300
pmjk3452: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [2d Kc]
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: raises 1575 to 2175 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
spotupj collected 1750 from pot
spotupj: doesn't show hand
Here the situation changes a bit in that I have a much worse hand, more chips and worse position. Unless everyone is super tight, pushing here isn’t a smart move. Given that I’ve pushed fairly frequently, it may be worth it to throw away some of these marginal situations that might gain a spite call from angry station.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (2305 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3325 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1920 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2780 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
pmjk3452: posts small blind 300
RikkiDee: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Th 5c]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: raises 1270 to 1870 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
pmjk3452: folds
RikkiDee: folds
CHOCWHYTE collected 1750 from pot
This again is a very close call. Obviously he isn’t pushing only strong hands here, and the pot is offering a very tasty 2-1. Two things make this a fold though. This particular player is very passive, and probably is at least pushing a decent hand. Second, while I’m getting 2-1, if I call and lose I’ll be crippled and lose all my folding equity for future pushes, which is vital.
Seat 2: pmjk3452 (1955 in chips)
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2520 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (3275 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (3020 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (2730 in chips)
pmjk3452: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 300
spotupj: posts big blind 600
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qd 2c]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: raises 2080 to 2680 and is all-in
pmjk3452: calls 1905 and is all-in
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
*** FLOP *** [8s 5c 2s]
*** TURN *** [8s 5c 2s] [6h]
*** RIVER *** [8s 5c 2s 6h] [5d]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
sterlng: shows [Tc Ts] (two pair, Tens and Fives)
pmjk3452: shows [Ac 3c] (a pair of Fives)
sterlng collected 4960 from pot
Good example of someone who can’t push without a hand. This passive calling station has limped all day and now he finally figures out how to raise, so of course he has TT.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2170 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2625 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2970 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (5735 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 400
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [5d Jh]
sterlng: calls 800
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: checks
*** FLOP *** [5c 5h Qs]
CHOCWHYTE: checks
sterlng: bets 3200
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng collected 2200 from pot
sterlng: shows [Kd Qh] (two pair, Queens and Fives)
The blinds rise again and we are still not in the money. Again the stupid calling station limps, nullifying my potential push and would be trips. Oh well.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2120 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2175 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (2120 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7085 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Td Th]
RikkiDee: raises 1270 to 2070 and is all-in
spotupj: raises 55 to 2125 and is all-in
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
*** FLOP *** [Jh 8s 6h]
*** TURN *** [Jh 8s 6h] [Ks]
*** RIVER *** [Jh 8s 6h Ks] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [Td Th] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
spotupj: shows [Tc Ts] (two pair, Tens and Eights)
RikkiDee collected 2770 from pot
spotupj collected 2770 from pot
Here I get super lucky then unlucky in that I pick up a premium hand but get called by the same hand and chop. Oh well at least we still gained some chips from the blinds.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2770 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2825 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1670 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6235 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 400
RikkiDee: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [4c Qc]
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: calls 400
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [3s 8s 5d]
sterlng: bets 2400
RikkiDee: folds
sterlng collected 1800 from pot
Honestly, pushing his limp here is probably marginally +EV. But since he has already shown he will limp/call all-ins with shit hands, I can’t figure that Q4o is going to be a big favorite. Additionally the 2bb stack is going to be BB in 2 hands, so I can afford to be patient.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (1920 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (2775 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1620 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7185 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
spotupj: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Tc Qc]
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee: raises 1070 to 1870 and is all-in
spotupj: folds
RikkiDee collected 1800 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Here is by far the easiest push that exists in SNGs. I have way too good of a hand for this situation as I’m pretty much going to be pushing any 2 cards here into this BB who not only hasn’t called any all-ins yet, but knows that the UTG player is the BB next hand and will probably be all in himself.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2870 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1925 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (1570 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7135 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts small blind 400
CHOCWHYTE: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [8c Qs]
sterlng: raises 1600 to 2400
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: folds
sterlng collected 2200 from pot
sterlng: shows [As Kh] (high card Ace)
Another example of this fish not knowing how to raise properly (ie every hand). By the way I push this from the BB if UTG folds. I push it for 2 reasons. One, for the slight chance that the BB actually folds I can steal the blinds. Two, because the BB is going to be calling here with any 2 cards, Q8o is a solid favorite over that range.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2820 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1475 in chips)
Seat 8: CHOCWHYTE (720 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (8485 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
CHOCWHYTE: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [5h Jc]
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: folds
CHOCWHYTE: calls 270 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [7h As 6h]
*** TURN *** [7h As 6h] [3d]
sterlng said, "GL"
*** RIVER *** [7h As 6h 3d] [9c]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
CHOCWHYTE: shows [Ks 2h] (high card Ace)
sterlng: shows [Kc Ts] (high card Ace - King+Ten kicker)
sterlng said, "GG"
sterlng collected 1540 from pot
J5 sucks here, let the BB bust the SB.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2770 in chips)
Seat 6: spotupj (1425 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (9305 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
spotupj: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
spotupj: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [3h Ac]
sterlng: raises 1600 to 2400
RikkiDee: folds
spotupj: calls 575 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [5s 6h 8s]
*** TURN *** [5s 6h 8s] [3c]
*** RIVER *** [5s 6h 8s 3c] [Ts]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
spotupj: shows [Ad 8c] (a pair of Eights)
sterlng: shows [8h 8d] (three of a kind, Eights)
sterlng said, "gg"
sterlng collected 3300 from pot
Again, even more evidence to the fact that this guy can’t raise without a really nice hand. I almost pushed here until I remembered that. Plus the BB was basically all in too.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (2320 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (11180 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Kh 4h]
RikkiDee: raises 1470 to 2270 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1700 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Heads up now. Luck continues to be something I need, but I also will be pushing almost any 2 cards here, especially with my chip stack. Luck has to come more in the form of him not picking up a decent hand rather than me getting them.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (3170 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (10330 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts small blind 400
RikkiDee: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Qs 9h]
sterlng: calls 400
RikkiDee: raises 2320 to 3120 and is all-in
sterlng: calls 2320
*** FLOP *** [3c Qd Ah]
*** TURN *** [3c Qd Ah] [2c]
*** RIVER *** [3c Qd Ah 2c] [Tc]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [Qs 9h] (a pair of Queens)
sterlng: shows [Ts 9c] (a pair of Tens)
RikkiDee collected 6340 from pot
This one was a no brainer for me. I’ve already seen time and time again that he limps with shit and raises with good hands. I knew that even if he did decide to limp call I probably would be ahead, and I was.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (6340 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7160 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 50
sterlng: posts the ante 50
RikkiDee: posts small blind 400
sterlng: posts big blind 800
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Ks 8h]
sterlng said, "n1"
RikkiDee: raises 5490 to 6290 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1700 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Now that I’ve gotten even, I’ll become a bit more selective in my pushes, but this is still a trivially easy push.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7190 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6310 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [6s Th]
sterlng: calls 600
RikkiDee: checks
*** FLOP *** [5d 5h Jh]
RikkiDee: checks
sterlng: bets 4800
RikkiDee: folds
sterlng collected 2550 from pot
Again, he probably is still limping with trash, but I have trash here so I’ll see the free flop and let him take it down. I just think of it as him pushing preflop and winning the pot anyways.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (5915 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (7585 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
RikkiDee: posts small blind 600
sterlng: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jc 9d]
RikkiDee: raises 4640 to 5840 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 2550 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Still a trivially easy push.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7190 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (6310 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [Jd Qc]
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 1350 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
I’d probably push if he limped, and fold if he pushed.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (7865 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (5635 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
RikkiDee: posts small blind 600
sterlng: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [3s 6d]
RikkiDee: raises 6590 to 7790 and is all-in
sterlng: folds
RikkiDee collected 2550 from pot
RikkiDee: doesn't show hand
Blinds go up again. This is a very marginal push, and I probably should have folded, but since I hadn’t seen him make really any marginal calls with hands like J8o unless he had limped already that I figure that he would fold enough to make this profitable. Usually when I make this type of push because I notice they are folding too much they end up calling that hand with J2, but not this time.
Seat 4: RikkiDee (9140 in chips)
Seat 9: sterlng (4360 in chips)
RikkiDee: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts the ante 75
sterlng: posts small blind 600
RikkiDee: posts big blind 1200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to RikkiDee [As 6d]
sterlng: calls 600
RikkiDee: raises 7865 to 9065 and is all-in
sterlng: calls 3085 and is all-in
*** FLOP *** [5d 9h Qd]
*** TURN *** [5d 9h Qd] [6c]
*** RIVER *** [5d 9h Qd 6c] [Th]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
RikkiDee: shows [As 6d] (a pair of Sixes)
sterlng: shows [6s Kd] (a pair of Sixes - lower kicker)
RikkiDee collected 8720 from pot
Again he continues with his retarded limp/call strategy. Again A6 is way ahead of his limping range so it’s an easy push.
So yes, I got lucky. But this is by no means an anomaly. Almost every game I play has these exact elements in them. Winning when it gets late and the blinds get big comes down to being able to push marginal edges to chip up on your opponents to gain additional folding equity. The balance comes in occasionally when you are faced with a very marginal push situation that you may want to forego due to the loss of credibility for future pushes. As well never underestimate the willingness of fish to bust on the bubble, so occasionally it is better to just wait it out.
posted by RikkiDee at 4:23 PM
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