Bubble Play Situation

G

GoBison1

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Total posts
6
Chips
0
Looking for some feedback on this situation I just encountered-

8 people left, top 7 are paid. Blinds are at 600-1200
I'm sitting in 6th place at 5500 chips.
7th and 8th are around 4500 and 3800

The Hand:
Im on the button with pocket 8's, everyone else folds.
SB has around 10,000 chips and BB has 4500.


What would you guys suggest doing in this situation? Do I go all in and hope SB folds and I can go heads up with BB? Or do I fold and wait until one of the lower chip stacks is faced to go all in?
 
Egon Towst

Egon Towst

Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 26, 2006
Total posts
6,794
Chips
0
Go all-in and look for a double-up, or at least to pick up the blinds. You should be aiming to finish in the top three if at all possible, as this is where the real money is in most tournies.

Generally speaking, the last paying place pays very little anyway and is of no consequence. Inexperienced players worry about bubbling, because they don`t have many ITM finishes under their belts and are hungry for even a modest success, and therefore they play unduly cautiously at this stage of the tourney. Don`t be affected by that. Go for a high place, and shrug it off if you bubble.
 
T

The_Pup

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Total posts
254
Chips
0
I'd be going all in here too - you are only getting called by big pairs here and possibly AK from SB, wider range from BB. Even if you get a call you are possibly in good shape to double up. More importantly, most times you will get those blinds (and antes?) which will make things a lot more comfortable.

At this stage of a tourney you have to be aggressive (though not a maniac) because picking up those blinds makes a big difference to your stack and makes your blinds less likely to be stolen - if you have shown you are not afraid to get your whole stack in people will think twice about pushing with rubbish.

Occasionally you will run into a proper hand or get sucked out on from a bad call, but that's just how it goes. Don't play with the fear of that happening.
 
Weregoat

Weregoat

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 18, 2009
Total posts
665
Chips
0
I'd push. You are likely to get called by SB, giving BB pot odds, worst case scenario.

But if SB doesn't pick up a hand, then BB has to play for all his chips. More likely you pick up the blinds.

When you are short-stacked in a tournament, look for excuses to push. A wired pair and a potential heads-up flop - or better yet, folded blinds - are a reason.

At this position you should be happy to flip a coin to double up. As long as you don't run into a higher pocket pair, you'll be a happy camper.
 
G

GoBison1

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Total posts
6
Chips
0
Thanks for all the responses-most of them were right in line with what I was thinking and did. I pushed, SB folded, and BB called with K-2off. He hit his K on the turn which was unfortunate, but that kind of stuff happens I guess! Ended up taking 6th
 
Tom1559

Tom1559

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Total posts
1,701
Awards
1
Chips
0
If this is a normal payout structure then you go all in here. It is a decent hand and unless the SB or BB have something decent the chances are they will fold. If they dont fold you still have a great chance to double up.
 
JOEBOB69

JOEBOB69

Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Total posts
4,681
Chips
0
Thanks for all the responses-most of them were right in line with what I was thinking and did. I pushed, SB folded, and BB called with K-2off. He hit his K on the turn which was unfortunate, but that kind of stuff happens I guess! Ended up taking 6th
How? you said there was 8 players left 7 payed an you got sucked out on by k2.So how did you finish in 6th place?
 
LarkMarlow

LarkMarlow

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 26, 2009
Total posts
14,664
Awards
1
Chips
1
From what I understand he had the BB covered so after that hand he still had 1K in chips.
 
T

The_Pup

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Total posts
254
Chips
0
From what I understand he had the BB covered so after that hand he still had 1K in chips.

This is quite important. Holding 88 is a push in this situation regardless of SB and BB stacks; but if the hand is less strong, say K8 or 33 then losing the hand to the BB does not end your tourney - you'll need some luck, but with a chip and a chair you can still cash or even win it. A fold would leave you scared of the approaching blinds and needing to pick up strong cards in the next few hands.
 
Top