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So in the last post, I wrote about managing the hands you choose to play during cash games and tournaments. I was recently involved in a real money hand on Poker Stars  in which I should have listened to my own advice. Anyway, here is the scenario. I’ll explain the situation, then weigh my options.

The tournament started with over 2,000 players and there was approx. $5,000 in the prize pool which started payouts at 330th place. Tables seated 6 instead of 9, which I prefer because it allows more complex moves and quicker action. One last thing is that the starting chip stacks were 3,000, instead of the usual 1,500. Early on during the first 5 stages of the tournament, I chipped up to 6,000 with out having to showdown and did not have too many difficult decisions to make. Due to a few bad hands, my stack dwindled back to 3,000, but now, with the blinds having just got to 200/400 with 50 chip ante, I had no other options than to fold or get all in (either to win the blinds, or win a showdown).

The blinds are posted, ‘under the gun’ (UTG) folds, and I look down at A 10 of diamonds. My two options- Raise or fold- what would you do? (Limping in is not an option due to the size of blinds and opponents stack size).

First, think about the opponents. How are their stacks in relation to yours? - I was the short stack at the table, and currently, 720th of 730 players- nearly at the bottom of the field. The average stack size at this time was about 10,000.

What cards have your opponents been showing down? Have they been showing bluffs or AA? are they calling stations, hyper-aggressive, or passive? My table was mostly loose and betting and raising a lot, but not with many hands better than A 10 suited.

What seat are you sitting in? In relation to the other players, I was in early position, but with 6 people at each table, there is a better chance of winning with an all-in play to steal the blinds because there are less opponents than at a 9 person table.

What would you do? Fold or raise (and how much)?

So, I decided that I would play the A 10 of diamonds, all in, in order to either win the blinds, or win the showdown. The all-in from early position looks like a big hand and the only cards that can call are monster hands like AA KK or QQ, maybe AK or AQ. The player on the button re-raises my 3,000 bet and the blinds fold. We are now isolated to the flop- he turns over Kh Kc, and my A 10 d’s is in serious trouble.

The flop- Axx- all hearts. I caught my ace on the flop to take the lead in the hand, but the hearts gave my opponent the 4 flush. I was still in the lead at this point.

The turn- a 9, which missed both of us, and it wasn’t a heart. I have 1 more card to dodge. In order to win the showdown, I need to dodge on of the remaining Kings, or any heart (15 outs).

The river- the 3 of hearts.  My opponent hits the flush on the river and knocks me out of the tournament for the $750.00 top prize.

If I had folded, maybe I would have picked up a stronger A, or been able to make a steal and chip up that way. But the all-in play was my strongest option because I could possibly profit by winning the blinds. Had I called (limped in), the other player would have raised and I would be put to a difficult decision, but I could probably get off the weak A with a big late position raise. (remember, don’t limp in in these spots.) I should have folded and looked for a better spot to commit all my chips (closer to, if not on the dealer button), even with A 10 suited- This is a clear example of entering a pot, for all my chips, out of position, with a weak hand. No wonder I got knocked out!

Understanding this will help you to not make this same mistake and instead, observe this happening to players in your own live and online online games in order to profit and knock someone out at the same time.

I hope this helps you in your tournaments! please comment or post any questions you may have!

JArgiro

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