What would you do?

Dick Hertz

Heres the situation I found myself in a few nights ago.
60 player no limit holdem tournament.
5 players left.
Payouts are
1st $4000
2nd $1600
3rd $ 900
4th $ 650
5th $ 400

blinds are 8k 16k
After losing a big pot I found myself all in in the big blind.....I win that hand and triple up
so now I have 30 k and have to put 8k in for the small blind.
I am the shortest stack
3 players have a stack of 100k
chip leader is on my left and he has over 300k. he has also already stated that he doesnt want to make a deal untill heads up.

Since the prize money is so top heavy my goal from the start of the final table was to play for the final 2 spots unless a good deal could be arranged sooner.

So i put 8k in as the SB and look down at KQ
folded around to the button who moves all in for 100k

I have played at least 100 tournaments with this player and I Know that he would not make that move with AA KK QQ or AK ...with those hands he would want the big stack in the BB to call. This is a ..." I dont want the big stack to call" raise.

I feel he a mid size pocket pair 7s to Js. or he has AQ-A7s THere is a small possibility that he might make this raise with Qs.
To call I have to put in 22k to win 30k (from raiser) + 16k(bb) + 8k(sb)=54k

or i could fold and hope to get a better hand before my next BB(in 3 hands) when i will be forced to take a stand. I also might move up the pay ladder a little if some else goes out.
Should I call? Why?
Should I fold? Why?

westside8

If he has a mid-pocket pair, then you are essential in a race. You are getting 2.5:1 for your money assuming BB does not call. I will probably call in the situation since its not likely you will get a better hand in 3 hands in which you're putting only in 6K more then the BB which is an auto call with any two cards. I will take my chances right now.

pkrfce9

The way you've described it, it sounds like a no-brainer. Given the pot odds, you really only had to be worried about AA, KK, QQ, AK and AQ. Your read has eliminated most of those hands.

Let me guess - you won the pot and got soundly berated for making a 'bad' call. Then you went on to place second.

ScoobyD

Getting 2.5:1 with a micro stack, I think this is pretty much a no-brainer call. KQ is solid enough against a steal with an M < 2 and getting at least 2.5:1 to boot, especially with the top heavy payout structure. You win the pot and you're up to 76k (assuming BB doesn't call), and actually have a bit of life in your stack. If you fold you're down to 22K and are getting auto called next hand you push (with only 3 hands to wait) possibly by 2 players as well...

beanie42

I don't think you have enough chips to outwait enough players to move up more than maybe 1 spot if someone busts out in the next few hands.  You're hand is plenty strong enough considering your stack, and your read of the villian makes this a perfect opportunity. You win, you're pretty much in a 4-way tie for 2nd.  You lose, and you get $400 instead of (possibly) $650 (which assumes you wouldn't be able to rebuild your 1.5BB stack if you fold ). Take a shot at the big money - push!

Dick Hertz

Thanks for the responses so far.

I called and lost when my opponents A J held up.
I had no doubts that I made the right play at the time but was surprised that several players at the tournament told me that they would have folded.
I thought it was a clear call at the time and was just curious if anyone on this forum could give a valid argument for calling.

beanie42

Dick Hertz wrote:

...was surprised that several players at the tournament told me that they would have folded.

This is just their way of giving you advance notice for the next tournament - "STEAL FROM ME!"

pkrfce9

Lou has pointed out to me on different occasions why folding is a reasonable choice when the pot odds say call. Hopefully he reads this and can add some insight. Although in this case, I don't think you can be offered a better chance on a small stack.

ReefAquarium

Easy call.