Aggression when down to last 5 (blinds at 50/100) or so

[wideboyuk]

This is the stage at which I like to stop playing so goddamn tight and start stealing a few blinds and pots which nobody seems to want.

Trouble is that often I will throw in a 3xBB (or AI if short stacked) raise from LP after it is checked round and then some donk will call with sh1t and get lucky...bang goes my tourney...

My thinking is that by this stage and getting near to the bubble, most of the donks have wiped themselves out, so most of the silly AI calls you get early on shouldn't happen in the later stages. But this doesn't seem to be the case. Yes I can steal a few blinds every now and then, but it only takes 1 caller to screw things up.

Maybe I am trying to steal to often (once every round to much?)

Should I be more patient and only get more aggressive when down to 4?

I will add that I play the cheap games - only $5 SNGs and I know these players don't stick to the 'rules' as such.

All opinions gratefully recieved

[stewartkev]

Looks like you are just picking random moments to steal. Yes, late position is good, but there are so many other factors:

-Be first into the pot (you got this one)

-Steal from tight players with average stacks...short stacks are desperate, big stacks can knock you out.

-It's easier if you ARE the big stack.

-Raise you stealing hand "requirements" with loose players still to act.

-Watch the odds you are giving the person on the pot. If blinds are big, for example, and you steal from the blinds then often they are obliged to call because of the odds from the pot. Although, at $5 level not everyone will be knowledgable enough to know that with decent odds any 2 cards are good.

-If you are not showing down a lot of hands people will want to call you because they think you're full of sh*t.

-Keep them guessing...steal a lot, tighten up, steal alot, etc.

-Late position is a "known" stealing position. Mix up the position (within reason), keeping in mind that you should be first in and have tighter players behind you.

Just keep everything in mind and try to pick better moments.