Early position push- small pairs

[AllinLife]

in most MTTs, I hate situations like this

you are UTG/UTG+1 and dealt

22~66 with 10 bb

I'm thikning it's probably easy push from C/O/button, but in EP it's probably too risky to push these babies... what do you MTT experts suggest?

also, what would be the minimum hand requirement for you to push UTG with 8~10bb?

AJo+ 99+ sound good?

[drmcboy]

Great question, final 100 in a 800+ FO on Stars the other night, I pushed 4500 chips blinds 300/600 with ... 50 ante I think? Was UTG+1, had 99, called by BB with AK, lost the flip, after was torn on whether it was the right play but it felt about right.

[ilikeaces86]

Great question, final 100 in a 800+ FO on Stars the other night, I pushed 4500 chips blinds 300/600 with ... 50 ante I think? Was UTG+1, had 99, called by BB with AK, lost the flip, after was torn on whether it was the right play but it felt about right.

IF YOU LIKE TO WIN MTT'S YOU HAVE TO PUSH THIS. YOUR NOT GONNA FIND A BETTER SPOT WITH 8XBB THAN 9's vs AK.

[drmcboy]

I hate to win, so I'll fold from now on, thanks for the insightful and hilarious reply!

[pantherhound]

with 77 downwards I'd rather wait and hope that I can steal (with nothing if need be) after the blinds go through me. I'm far happier doing that than gambling against all those stacks still to play.

But with 88 or thereabouts its a push and hope for a wall of folds. I've got my handy stat, from zenbitz, about AJ UTG on an average table being 82% likely not to be dominated by the following 9 hands. Of course, you have the flips mixed in there too. But it's still a nice percentage. And the stack you push with in this example is not to be coughed at.

[Chicago_Kid]

22-66 I would fold if there are lots of big stacks. 77-99 I would push. You want AJ-AK to call you so you can get lucky.

But I'd also want to know the other stack sizes at the table to determine if you NEED to get lucky yet. If they're all huge, I'd fold often. It's too risky that some guy with AJs and 20-25k chips will call just for kicks on the button and wipe you out.

If there are several other players around your stack size, you need those blinds, so I could see pushing.