Push/Fold in SNG's

[Rockymv]

I have a question for those of you who have read HOH2. Harrington recommends that when you are in the red zone (your stack < five times the blinds and antes combined), and it's folded to you in MP or LP, you should push with a whole lot of hands. I've been trying to implement what I've read lately. I find myself doing a lot of things like the following:

I have K3s in CO with 1000 chips, blinds 75/150. It's folded to me. I'm pretty sure Harrington would advocate pushing every time in this situation. However, this just doesn't feel right to me. I don't have a clear picture of what I mean, I just get this feeling when I make a push like this that I'm doing something incredibly stupid.

Anyway, I'd like to hear everyone's opinion, whether you've read Harrington's book or not.

[K. C?]

I think it matters on how many players are left, their stack size in relation to yours, and also how they've been playing. If you know the big stack at the table will call any bet with ANYTHING if you raise into either of his blinds, well, then you may or may not want to push with your K3s. Most steal plays are situational, but if the table is tight enough and it's folded to you, any two cards can and will do.

[bair]

push in a heartbeat, any raise is going to make you pot committed so you have to push, assuming you are playing shorthanded. and ive read HoH1 not 2.

[stewartkev]

I think the tactics work superbly...I did it earlier with 83o, for example.

There are lots of factors, not just it getting folded to you. Remember, take your opponents M into account, how tight the players are, your image, etc. The way I play you don't automatically push if it's folded round to you, but pick your spots. If you've decided to try and steal these blinds then push. Standard raise is half your stack, so push. Yes, there are times you will get called and lose...but I've found my bubble play take a huge stride forward since getting HoH2. The times you get 1st will more than outweigh the times you bubble.

What stakes are you playing? It's not quite as effective with maniacs at $5 levels due to the frequency of getting called, but still +EV.

[Rockymv]

I play the 55+5 turbos on stars. It seems that at this level at least someone will totally understand what you're doing and call with Axo. As such, maybe a smaller bet would have an even better chance of taking the blinds? I'm probably just concerned because I don't think I've pushed once in these situations without being called. And then I look down at my cards and think to myself, "Of course I got called by a better hand, I'm acting like an idiot." I'll probably change my tune when I see it actually work a few times.

[ihategnomes]

In a turbo I dont hate the push so much. With the regular blind structure its a bad play me thinks.

[SnoT_III]

The thing is there are still 5 cards to come. So what if he has Ax and calls you. You are putting them in the position to lose their chips, because you could be stealing OR you could have a real hand. If your M is only 4 (effective M is probably lower than that) K high is a great hand to push with.

I like this play a lot, but it also depends how many people are in the tourny, and who the big stack at the table is. Also, with an M that low it's hard to play good post-flop poker.

[general]

I've been reading Harrington's points on that as well. He's advocating that you do something while you still have enough stack to act as a deterrent. Unless you have a monster, most hands are pretty even. A 2/3 chance of winning is still a 1/3 chance of losing and others don't want a chunk taken out of their stack. When the position presents, you need the aggression or you'll be blinded out. I suggest that you read Vol.2 again to get a better understanding.

[CFANG]

While I can't comment on high buy in SnG's as I don't play them in the 5$ ones i would wrather push in that position with something like 98 as the favorite hands to call these steals at this level is typically low PP's or KJ type hands, often leaving K low dominated or relying only on the K. Just my observations