Playing a micro stack on the bubble

Here's a tip that probably doesn't seem to significant to the average player but it definitely adds up in the long run.

You are playing a SNG and you are on the bubble as a very short stack (3bb or less). Whats the best way to maximize your EV here?

Lets whip up a fake example to illustrate.

UTG (2750 in chips)
RikkiDee (980 in chips)
SB (2490 in chips)
BB (7280 in chips)
SB: posts small blind 200
BB: posts big blind 400

Here we are on the button with just over 2bb. We are playing for 3rd here and if we get it we will have boners. Now in this type of situation you have to keep in mind that pretty much all options suck, so you have to end up picking the least suck.

Now a lot of players in our position will see our chip stack, figure we have no chance and push any 2 reasonable cards, maybe even something trashy like T3o just because. But since we are so short, the BB and maybe even the SB are compelled to call our potential all in with a ridiculously huge range, probably any 2 cards. They are also calling a huge range because they are eager to end the bubble and have the chips to spare to do so.

Now, because of this, I generally like folding here on the button unless we pick up a top 20%~ hand. In this situation, the only real acceptable outcome is to go all in against 1 opponent. If you push from the button or UTG, you will generally get more than one call, and they will just check the hand down, maximizing your chance to go busto.

Again, a lot of players here will either push the button or if they are dealt a supreme pile of shit of a hand, they'll wait for UTG to push. They always push before they get to the BB.

And therein lies the trick of the situation.

Because players are so eager to call your 2-3bb raise, pushing here is big time -EV. Going against 2 opponents is basically a disaster here unless you have a very good hand. And even if you manage to push UTG and get heads up vs 1 caller and win, you still face the BB the very next hand anyways. What you need to do is fold the button and UTG and let your BB hit you. At this point you are completely pot committed and everyone knows it. You then call a raise all in and usually you end up heads up rather than against 2 opponents. If you win, you now have a chance and you have 3 hands until your next BB.

There are 2 other hidden advantages to this that do add up over time:

1. Often times if the UTG and Button fold when you are in the BB, the SB will fold as well, realizing that you are pot committed to call any raise. If they are sitting there with a real piece of trash, a lot of opponents will just fold, which is hugely +EV for you. Additionally, you will sometimes see a big stack fold to you from the SB if he wants to preserve the bubble for his own good. You may think this is insignificant but you'd be shocked how often it occurs.

2. Opponent bustout equity. In the times you folded your button and UTG, people may bust out. This is also not completely unreasonable as many aggressive opponents will try to push around the table when they see you as a short stack, hoping that no one wants to bust before you. All you need then is one angry fish or good hand to spite call and bam, 3rd place is yours.

To reiterate, this tip isn't going to make you thousands. It's merely a way to maximize your EV in a fairly common situation that most players just give up on. Most of the time what will end up happening is someone will raise and you call from the BB and lose. But at least you got heads up and gave yourself a chance to get back in with the extra bonus'.