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vorshot · Two Pair Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 71

I have a lot of trouble understanding what kind of hands i should be playing at this point in a SNG (three left).

I know i should be looking at more hands, because the blinds are coming around faster, but i have no idea where to start, and i end up going from first to third in threeman because i fold to much.

Any help?

SKS_Poker · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject:

Ever hear of the computer hand? It is Q7. If you happen to be on the button and you get this hand or better, you can raise (no, you don't have to, you can fold if you do not think the others will fold the blinds to you). Same goes for if you're in the small blind and the button folds to you, if you have this hand or better then you can raise as well. The concept is that a Q7 or better as a larger than 50% chance of winning against a random blind hand.

Now this by no means is any hard and fast rule. You still have to take into consideration who your opponents are, what their chip stacks are, what your table image is, where the blinds are at in value, etc etc.

DeadDutch · Full House Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 176

I raise a lot when the table gets this short. Mostly to define my hand, but also, aggression is key at this point. OTB, I'll raise with almost anything. Same in SB. Sometimes in the BB I'll raise if the pot hasn't been raised yet with nothing. If it's really not worth raising, then I'll fold it. This is the time when "never call" seems to work for me. D'Agostino's last 2 lessons were on similar topics.

http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/proLessons.php?lesson=33
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/proLessons.php?lesson=34

GL,
Dutch

vorshot · Two Pair Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 71

Interesting stuff. Thanks a lot.

guitarguy178 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:30 pm Post subject:

Calling a bet is usually a bad play when down to the final three. Raise preflop whenever you get the chance, usually when the pot is unraised thus far. Be aggressive and take charge of each hand. Put your opponents to the decisions. When you finally pick up a monster, don't slow down. That is a big tell. Keep pushing and they will call with marginal hands.

vorshot · Two Pair Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 71

Just got back from a frat game, and i came into three man as short stack.

Everything has been good info for chip leader.....but now i need to know about the short stack. Any help?

Just all in over and over?

SKS_Poker · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:24 am Post subject:

If you're the short stack, then you have to be willing to gamble. Wait if you can afford to in accordance with the level of the blinds, but just about any two cards will do at a point if you're starting to blind out. You can't afford to wait too long to go all in and pick up some pots or else you won't have enough chips to protect your hand. If this is the case, and you find yourself getting nearly blinded out, any one card with a face or an ace on it, any connectors, any two suited cards, any pocket pair, go all in as you have no choice but to gamble and hope to get lucky to double through so you can re-establish yourself on the table.

Funkay Flex · Straight Flush Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 487 Location: VA

play position whenever you can and raise when you are on the dealer button. it puts pressure on the others and you can steal a nice amount of chips without even seeing a flop

JetsFan28 · Royal Flush Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 799 Location: NY

that dutch has his own website??

Lawing · Four of a Kind Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 276

I agree with Funkay Flex, position is very crucial short handed. I often raise on the button with any two cards. If you see you opponents playing very tight, I choose to raise quite a bit. Stealing the blinds becomes very important later on in a sng. When you encounter an over-agressvie opponent, tighten your game up. Check raise and throw them off when you have a big hand or connect.

JaketheStake · Straight Flush Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 415

I follow a different philosophy.

Basicly, when it's a larger game, I'll play like a rock, only going in when I have something nice to go in with. And then I'll play very aggressively, but won't be afraid to bail on the turn or w/e if I'm beat. But when I win...to show I'm not bluffing, I'll flip cards 1/3-2/3 of the time, just to show them they didn't lay down for nothing. And if they stay in...well...I've got it, so I have their money and they know what cards I had.

Why do I do this? Because by the end-game, when I switch to a more aggessive pattern (makes more sense then, IMO, because the odds are better and therefore more hands are playable), people tend to be more likely to lay down to me. And that helps me attain or maintain the chip lead until I'm in the money.

It's not bullet-proof, since nothing in poker is, but I've found it to be very helpfull, especially when we're down to heads-up in huge blinds and this guy keeps asking himself "is he bluffing?".

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