First question post, please be kind.

beach2002

I was recently playing in a 15 player no limit tournament and found myself down to three players. I was the low stack of the three of us but not crippled yet. One player with a ton of chips and one with a medium stack. The blinds were getting high with a large ante.

My question is in regards to low pocket pairs. Anyone have any thoughts? I found myself in this situation twice short handed. The one I remember was 3 handed and found me in the big blind facing a large raise by the button and a call or re raise (sorry I cant remember) by the small blind. What should I have done ?

I hope thats enough info for people to respond.

thanks
labeach

JohnnieH

I would push with ANY pair pre-flop. As the short stack you need to steal blinds to survive, and double up for a chance to win.

Be aggressive!

QueenNine

What was your stack compared to the blinds? Just how SS were you?

If you are holding 33 and the button raises, then the SB reraises, I would say muck it and let the big stacks battle it out. If you are on the button with ANY pair and your are severely SS, then POOOOSH away!

beach2002

Thanks so far for the responses, my stack was between 10,000 and 11,000 and the blinds I think were 600 - 1200 with a 200 ante. I think I was playing with Metro and Big E. Do either of you guys remember when I said "this is a question i'm going to ask on the forum".

pkrfce9

you have no fold equity. you are at best 50%, at worst less than 20%. not quite desperate yet so fold and wait for a better opportunity.

STR82ACE

Three handed, blinds come around very fast, and since you're already the short stack, you need to make a move here with almost any two decent hole cards...any pair, any two high cards, suited or not, and higher suited connectors (89 to 10J). Push with any of these two preflop for all your chips. You need to double up quickly here, or else be eaten up by the blinds and antes.

southpark_nice

Pocket pairs are very good hands when it comes down to a few people. In tournament play, any pockets preflop deserve a raise. When it comes to low pockets, you have to consider your place at the table. If you are first to act, then an all in is required (being short stacked). If you are on the bb, and the sb or dealer calls, you need to be careful because you may be digging yourself into a deep hole.

beanie42

First in, push. However, facing a raise you are a coin-flip at best, and with a caller in between, it's an easy fold.

beach2002

I felt this situation was an all in or a fold. I wasnt sure I wanted to put all my chips in the pot with pocket 4's. So thats why i thought i'd ask here.

It seems like there are two different thoughts on this.
1. fold and wait for a better chance as long as you arent too short stacked

or

2. all in

pkrfce9

beanie42 wrote: »

First in, push. However, facing a raise you are a coin-flip at best, and with a caller in between, it's an easy fold.

thank you. my head was beginning to spin.

QueenNine

MDSGuyandthenBeaniereiterating wrote: »

First in, push. However, facing a raise you are a coin-flip at best, and with a caller in between, it's an easy fold.

Thats what I said.

AcidJoe

MDSGuy wrote: »

Thats what I said.

I agree with Beanie and Pkrfce now MDS...... LOL

Big E

I do remember this hand, I believe Tom raised, I called and you folded...however I can't remember what the F I had??? I do agree with everyone here, first in you have to push but facing a raise and a call it's a fold.

I do remember you finished first and I finished second so I think you made the right move