I think this was a mistake - I would like a second opinion. Thanks

I raised EP with 99 - 55/45 my favor

FullTiltPoker Game #247617051: $3,500 Guarantee (1533753), Table 11 - 40/80 - No Limit Hold'em - 12:45:24 ET - 2005/10/10
Seat 1: HeadGames (1,270)
Seat 2: GiveRock (2,302)
Seat 3: AlamedaMike (3,020)
Seat 4: EDDIE JR (4,056)
Seat 5: darndt (1,924)
Seat 7: dogboy (3,363)
Seat 8: Sparty007 (480)
Seat 9: TopGun20 (1,655)
TopGun20 posts the small blind of 40
HeadGames posts the big blind of 80
The button is in seat #8
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to AlamedaMike
GiveRock folds
AlamedaMike raises to 280
EDDIE JR folds
darndt folds
777Eagle sits down
777Eagle adds 3,290
dogboy folds
Sparty007 raises to 480, and is all in
TopGun20 folds
HeadGames folds
AlamedaMike calls 200
Sparty007 shows
AlamedaMike shows [9h 9s]
*** FLOP ***
*** TURN ***
*** RIVER ***
Sparty007 shows two pair, Kings and Queens
AlamedaMike shows a pair of Nines
Sparty007 wins the pot (1,080) with two pair, Kings and Queens
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 1,080 | Rake 0
Board: [Qs Kc Ad 2c 6h]
Seat 1: HeadGames (big blind) folded before the Flop
Seat 2: GiveRock didn't bet (folded)
Seat 3: AlamedaMike showed [9h 9s] and lost with a pair of Nines
Seat 4: EDDIE JR didn't bet (folded)
Seat 5: darndt didn't bet (folded)
Seat 7: dogboy didn't bet (folded)
Seat 8: Sparty007 (button) showed [Kh Qd] and won (1,080) with two pair, Kings and Queens
Seat 9: TopGun20 (small blind) folded before the Flop

Thanks - I was not clear, sorry about that. I feel the call was just fine - it was the raise with 99 EP that I was wondering about.

I think a raise with 99 EP (I had a pretty tight image if anyone was paying attention) was okay but not sure.

Thanks again.

Oh as for raising ep with 99, it isnt horrible. I mix limping/raising with those in a tourny in ep, alot depends on how loose the table is. Later on as blinds get higher I will increase the number of times I raise with them, as people start to tighten up and not chase.

Ok, small pairs in EP are very tricky in tournament poker. My image at the table has a lot to do with how I play them. If I've shown quality hands I'm likely to play them here for 3xBB or 3.5 like you did. If I've been loose or the table is very loose and not respecting my raises or raises in general I will either limp or fold them. If you limp you're looking for a set or an overpair and if not you are only losing 1BB. This sets up the play were you can limp on an aggresive table and then jam with a reraise. If no ones paying attention (likely in this tourney) then I often fold them when I'm not in position. Right now the blinds are not worth taking a lot of risk (280) from EP to win 120 when so many hands will call or raise you back that have position and can outplay you on most any flop.

I personally don't think you lose anything by folding 99 in EP in a MTT. They will get you in more trouble than they will make you money, which is a far cry from how they are played in cash games. If you had 10xBB I can see a push with them but with a good stack and smaller blinds it's probably best to just muck them off and save the trouble. Playing less hands out of position will give you a tighter image and allow you to steal more in position which is what you want.

In this exact case the reraise allin by KQ is just foolish, but I've seen worse just today and thats only in the one MTT I played on FTP. When he pushes and it's back to you, as was mentioned earlier, it would be a crime to fold. You have the odds to get it in against any hand here and it's really not going to hurt your stack at this point. After this hand I would tighten up my EP standards and wait for a hand I want someone to move on me because they know, if they are paying attention, that you'll be raising with small pairs and others are more likely to reraise or try and push you off a hand on the flop. So when you get AA, KK or AK play it the same use that image you've created against your opponents.

When you raised 3 1/2 times the BB with 99 from EP what was your goal?

If you steal the blinds you have stolen nothing. Risk 280 to steal 120?

If anyone comes over the top you have to be able to let the hand go. Lucky for you the short stack was the only one that wanted to play.

If the table is doing a lot of raising I throw 99 away at this stage. If I can limp and see a flop then I will but not paying more then double the BB to play this hand.

Later when the blinds are worth something you might make the play but even then any re-raise and your in trouble.

My goal was to steal the blinds from up front.

I seldom raise with small PP.

Phil Grodon says he tries to steal the blinds about 1.3 orbits. If I got a big reraise I would have to fold my hand.

I am still very new to MTT and NL ring. Six months at most.

BTW - I gave it some thought and I think I am playing too tight. That is way I get blinded out about 4/5 of the way in.