How to make a good steal?

Hi again all,

Last night during a MTT, I began to think about stealing in general. A question came to mind. If you only steal in position. And you never plan to play those cards.....

Does it really matter what the cards are when you steal?

Thanks,
Bumper

Nope - cards don't matter when you steal.

The only time they do matter is when you are up against an opp who likes to defend his blind by calling (rather than raising) - because then you are going to have play a flop, and some of the time your cards actually do matter post-flop.

you CAN steal with nothing, certainly. if you hand is connected, suited, etc, it will be a little better off if you get called since you have a better chance to flop a draw that will give you some options.

If you make a move with Q2 and flop top pair, things can get tricky. You say you "never" plan to play, but this seems to assume you always get raised or successfully steal. you'll be playing some flops whether you want to or not. Planning to always give up is very -EV. The most profitable 'steal' is often the guy who "knows" you're stealing, so he calls with QT and then check folds when he whiffs.

Originally Posted by drmcboy

you CAN steal with nothing, certainly. if you hand is connected, suited, etc, it will be a little better off if you get called since you have a better chance to flop a draw that will give you some options.

If you make a move with Q2 and flop top pair, things can get tricky. You say you "never" plan to play, but this seems to assume you always get raised or successfully steal. you'll be playing some flops whether you want to or not. Planning to always give up is very -EV. The most profitable 'steal' is often the guy who "knows" you're stealing, so he calls with QT and then check folds when he whiffs.