Late Tourney Preflop Raises

[Sprayed]

While playing a $20+$2 180 SNG last night (came in 15th btw) I noticed that the standard preflop raise was 4xbb late in the tourney. Is this something that should be done or is it determined on what amount your opponents will fold to?

The guy who won named godziller was always raising it 4x. It appeared that everyone was respecting his raise and would fold or call him with good hands. It seemed to really put pressure on the table. Or at least on me anyways. So what's the standard? It depends or yes 4x?
Thx

[LeFou]

In the late rounds of a tourney, when people are really trying to figure out what you're up to, I generally want to vary my PFR randomly 3, 4, or 5 BB. If you successfully randomize this, it gives opponents a red herring to wonder about.

Your "standard" PFR should be based on the players you're sitting with. At many tables, 3BB just isn't sufficient to thin the field (assuming that's what you want) and you need to use 5, 6, or more.

[drmcboy]

I always hope someone else tries a 1k steal at 200/400 (50 ante?), if half the table calls you know to go with 3x next time. I'd only go to 4x if 3x is getting multiple calls. I think mostly what 4x does is prevent people from making bad calls out of the blinds. it looks impressive and is a bit less stressful with a big stack but I think -EV compared to 3x, but just a little. And you hate starting off with 4x and then you pick up AA and KK after and watch them fold again.

[chardrian]

Looks to me like your opp simply took control of the table. 4xBB is not a "normal" raise late in a tourney. By the time blinds are that big, most people are actually trying to raise more like either 2.5x or 3x BB.

[Sprayed]

Looks to me like your opp simply took control of the table. 4xBB is not a "normal" raise late in a tourney. By the time blinds are that big, most people are actually trying to raise more like either 2.5x or 3x BB.

I usually go with the standard 3, but if they are really tight I use michael's 2.5.

[TanO]

As far as I have seen, when you reach the bubble in these 180 SNG's the blinds are usually 200/400 or 300/600 and the average stack around 10-12k, so if few people at the table are feeling pressure from the blinds the larger PF raises make sense for more effective thinning of the field

[michael1123]

I usually go with the standard 3, but if they are really tight I use michael's 2.5.

Its not mine anymore. I wrote that over a year ago. I typically stick with 3xBB late, unless I notice that its not working and 4xBB is. But, you also need a deeper stack to be able to afford to raise 4xBB regularly, unless you're playing very tight.

[chardrian]

Wait... you mean you are allowed to change and adapt your play and strategy as needed?

How is that fair if I am ever going to get a read on you?

[Sprayed]

Well, zilla had a big stack and was using it to his advantage. He would pop a 4xer in there from usually about mp or lp. He only got action from people with real hands, but that was only a couple of times. I've played with him before, because I had noted him for being a heavy check raiser in a previous encounter. Used that to my advantage and stayed clear of him unless I had a hand that I could handle a check raise or just check to him and let him do the betting.