Short Stack Games v Deep Stack Games

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Madsaac

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I would like to hear your thoughts on short stack games v deep stack games.

A short stack game for example, 100 runners each starting with a stack of 2,000-5,000. Blind starting 25/50 at 20min intervals compared to a deep stack starting with 20,000.

What do you prefer and why?

What differentl strategies should be implemented?

In a short stack game in the 100 blinds and someone raises 3/4 the blind that can be 20% of your stack!

In short stack games is it simply a matter of waiting for very good hands before playing. Is it fair to say its a bit more like 'bingo' poker.
 
c9h13no3

c9h13no3

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In short stack games is it simply a matter of waiting for very good hands before playing.
This is wrong.

If stealing the blinds represents 10% of your stack rather than 1% of your stack, you should be playing more hands. Do you see why?
 
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Madsaac

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I think so.

If the blinds are 50/100 and someone limps there is 250 in the pot. If your stack is 2000 thats over 10% of your stack.

This is an opportunity to steal and increase your stack by 10%.

Couple of discussion points.

A problem or challenge with this is that it will cost you approximately 25% of your stack when you raise.

What emphasis to the types of players your up against and there stack sizes.

And what would you raise with if your not waiting for a very good hand.

And does this mean yuo should be prepared for an early night in short stack games.
For example, if someone who has limped or blinds calls your raise with 8/9 suited.

You really only have a couple of shots at this because of such a large percentage of your stack.

Finally, is the approach your suggesting an agressive style bordering on loose?
 
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20bb is an awkward number to discuss with a limper - you can easily raise to 2bb and then c-bet 2.5bb into 5bb (with antes) and you'll still have around 16bb if you don't hit the flop and can't take down the pot which is a fine stack to play with.

Alternatively, if there is a limper and you have 15bb you can shove stuff as bad as A9/KQ and pick up around 3bb each time which is a nice boost to your stack especially as a lot of players limp/fold a lot at micros.

The trick is not to wait for a good hand but to take advantage of position. Say you are on the CO/BTN with 10bb and the players left to act are reasonably tight - I'd probably be shoving any 2 cards, especially if antes are in play.

When you have <15BB or so shoving very wide in late position because very profitable. When there are limpers, shoving with stuff like AT/KQ is far more profitable than suited connectors or A4 because you're far more likely to have them dominated or have two overs.

There is more variance in short stack games but they take less time because of stack sizes so you can play more, therefore variance is kinda irrelevant as it is possible to play a decent sample size and balance it out.
 
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Madsaac

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20bb is an awkward number to discuss with a limper - you can easily raise to 2bb and then c-bet 2.5bb into 5bb (with antes) and you'll still have around 16bb if you don't hit the flop and can't take down the pot which is a fine stack to play with.

Alternatively, if there is a limper and you have 15bb you can shove stuff as bad as A9/KQ and pick up around 3bb each time which is a nice boost to your stack especially as a lot of players limp/fold a lot at micros.

The trick is not to wait for a good hand but to take advantage of position. Say you are on the CO/BTN with 10bb and the players left to act are reasonably tight - I'd probably be shoving any 2 cards, especially if antes are in play.

When you have <15BB or so shoving very wide in late position because very profitable. When there are limpers, shoving with stuff like AT/KQ is far more profitable than suited connectors or A4 because you're far more likely to have them dominated or have two overs.

There is more variance in short stack games but they take less time because of stack sizes so you can play more, therefore variance is kinda irrelevant as it is possible to play a decent sample size and balance it out.

Thanks

I think I need to be a bit more agressive and not afraid to go all in.
 
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