I consider myself short when I cannot make a standard raise, without being practically committed. Often tourneys seem to get to the point where all the average stacks are only 8 to 10 times the big blind. When the blinds are high, I usually open raise between 2 and 4 x the big blind depending on several factors, usually it is 2 1/2 to 3x the BB. So when my stack
gets low enough that 2 1/2 x BB is over 30-40% of my stack, I start making moves to get to a more comfortable position.
Say Blinds are 1000, and I have an average stack of 10000, with a pair of Tens, I raise it to 2500, get called, flop comes w/ two overcards, and I fold to a bet. Now I have 7500 chips, get another medium pair, raise 2500, get reraised, and have to fold. Now I am down to 5000, am card dependent, and have to push with any reasonable hand, and as soon as the blinds go up again, I have very little folding equity and can expect action when I pick a decent hand to make a stand with.
So sometimes I would rather take a shot and push, or make a big enough raise that I am pot committed. If I get played with and double up, now I have enough chips to make a reasonable opening raise without hurting myself if I have to lay down a hand, and am in good shape to start stealing some to try to keep ahead of the blinds. If I get no action, and everyone folds, I can get my stack healthy with just a few of these steals, and then the table is ready to pay me off when I catch a monster, as they now suspect I am an incorrigible thief.
Tell me the flaws you see in my reasoning here.Statistics: Posted by semperfi — Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:32 am
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