UTG

Ok so I searched this here on CC and didn't find much. I obv am pretty good with all pp's in this situation and AK AQ, but what about all the mediocre hands like KQ, KJ, AJ, 10 10(exception to pp's)???

I've been really thinking about this and when I first started playing my mentor said fold alot of this stuff UTG all the time...
now I know this can be pretty broad with reads on other players, betting out weak passive players with high blinds and all that but what about these mediocre hands?

I also know about using UTG as a bluffing spot for high blinds and that usually only ppl raise in UTG with premium hands so don't include that

Any info or opinons would help

When the blinds are worth stealing the mediocre hands are great for stealing becuase if you are called they can connect with the flop solidly. Of course it is situational and reads are important but for me, those hands are great stealing hands becuase they allow me to bet with confidence as if I do have AA when I don't, but at the same I can back down as necessary.

From Colin Moshmans Sit & Go strategy by the way, I take no credit.

Phil Gordon Stealing from UTG "is kinda money"

anyone else, thaks for the input steve!

this is a misquoute. Page 44 Litle Green Book,"The cutoff is kinda money".

It depends on many things, most importantly reads, level and stack sizes. You need to be sure that you're not committing yourself to call a reraise, when you'd normally fold. You need to expect to have to fold in the case of any play other than a call(s)/fold(s). You don't want to do this when you're betting into a stacked maniac obviously, and only when the blinds are worth stealing. Another situation to consider is how many flops you've seen, and did you limp to see them or raise. Your own image is very important. I tend to have a pretty tight image most of the time, with low % of flops seen and very few having been limped, so I can use this play often. (not that I do... )

If we're talking about sit n gos here, just get yourself an icm calculator. There are plenty a few free ones out there. Late STT play is mostly a game of maths that can be solved with those calculators and the calling ranges of your opponents.

thanks guys, and chuck that is interesting I never heard of that, guess google time

edit: and I'm talking about MTTs and SNGs not reall STTs....and not cash games

ICM calculators don't really apply to multitable games.

Your question is really general and depends on a million factors. Post some hands and we can give you much better input.

kk

^^^ This. I whould love to give input but the qustion is a litle to general imo.