Defensive - Stealing the Blinds

redstarredstar
in Brags, Beats & Variance
Okay, so you are at the start of a no-limit tournie and you haven't had a chance to read your opponents- what would you do in this situation. Suppose you think someone just raised to steal your blinds and you have something mid-range like "9/10 suited" would you reraise an appropriate amount, say 3 times the bb at this point or just give it up. I like to appear to have a good table image and wonder if it is worth the gamble while the blinds are low to easily lose these blinds +more to show that I can't be pushed around! Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

Comments

  • DrTyoreDrTyore
    If it's the start, I'm not really all that interested in betting $60 to save $20 of my (avg) $1500 starting stack. I get more defensive when the blinds hit triple digits, or when antes come into play.


    Mark
  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    Defending the blinds at the beginning stages is wrong. I just hope I wake up with a hand to re raise with and play to the finish. If DrTyore won't bother why should I LOL
  • moosemoose
    Why do you have to establish an image? You likely won't be playing with the same people for long in a large MTT.
  • MetroMetro
    I agree.

    At the start of a large MTT tables are closing like crazy.

    As for the hand, 9-10s hands and small pockets are great at the start of the tourney when you can see flops for cheap and expected value is high.

    I just call and wait to hit the flop 2x or make a nice draw.
  • UnknownUnknown
    Another point to consider (as well as those already mentioned of course) is that your opponent probably isn't stealing your blind. He probably has a hand... the blinds are too small at this point to bother stealing IMO, let alone risking a re-steal attempt.

    Also, if you're worried about establishing an image early, don't be. If they think they can steal from you, that's fine. Let them try when the blinds become significant, and then try your re-steal. It's risky, but you'll get more chips, and more respect for your re-raise because you've been laying down. If your reads have been accurate in the past, there is no reason not to trust your read of a steal and go with it in order to thwart a possible steal.
  • redstarredstar
    Thanks for your blog Devin. The articles are very interesting. I loved the one about the "Russian"!! Good luck in Vegas/Wynns at the end of the month. I'm heading down on Sunday to play some sit-and-go at Binions and Imperial Palace and doing the Ladies Tournament on Tuesday at Caesar's Palace then back home to Canada to the Canadian Womens Classic at Cascades in BC next Friday (limit one). Thanks to all for your comments to this post..I appreciate your thoughts and WILL NOT worry so much about my blinds being stolen at the beginning of a tournie. The other thing I realized from your posts is yes, in fact, because the blinds increase so quickly in these daily multi-table b&m tournaments in Vegas (and in Canada) people are always moving out and in to tables constantly so why worry about table image so much. :-)

    ...If a woman wins at an all-women tournament, is she still "just lucky"?? LOL
  • UnknownUnknown
    No problem re: the blog... glad you're enjoying it! I just decided to cut and paste all the poker stuff on my computer onto it, and I'll update it with random poker musings as often as I can.

    Good luck in Vegas to you as well... let us know how it goes.
  • ny_giantssny_giantss
    pot odds....
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