Some small ball questions

J

Justindust

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Hey I'm new to the forum,
I hope you guys can help me out with a couple of questions.

I'm a pretty experienced player I'm trying to add small ball to my repertoire there are only a couple of situations I don't know how to deal with pre-flop.
I'd like to hear your opinions.
All of the situations will be with an average stack size lets say 5000 in a tournament where blinds are 125-250.

1 -How should I act when I'm in late position and there's a raise in front of me.
Should I flat call with good hands and drawing hands ? Or only with very strong cards.

2- How should I act when there are multiple callers in front of me. Should I put in a raise with a good hand or just call ? And the same questions for a drawing hand.

3- After playing small ball on a table for a while people will credit your raises allot less (this is obviously also what you want). But how should you play when you get a small re-raise out or in position. Should you call regardless of the cards or tighten up dramaticly.

I hope I have been clear on all the questions. If I need to clear things out a little more, please ask.

Thanks in advance
 
MidyMat

MidyMat

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#1- In that situation I like to just call, but it also depends on the opponent.

#2- If you only have a drawing hand I would fold and if you have a good hand it doesn't hurt to 3 bet in that situation.

#3- Just always be changing your strategies...

Just my opinion.
 
Poker Orifice

Poker Orifice

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With a stack of 5,000 & blinds 125/250 you're not deep enough to be playing 'small ball' (you have only 20bb's).
1.) with 20bb's (depending upon villain) you might want to 'flat' w monsters (AA/KK) with plan of getting it in postflop
with 'good hands', (depending upon villain) just SHIP IT! 20bb's is a great re-steal sized stack
You stack isn't deep enough to be 'calling' with 'drawing hands' (depending upon what you consider 'drawing hands') & expecting to play postflop poker. Ideally you should be looking to get it in (but of course 'it depends')

2) if there are multiple limpers, on 20bb's, raise ~1/3 of your stack so you'll have a pot-sized bet left to ship with on the flop (if called pre).. 'or'.. just SHIP IT pre.
drawing hand - 'maybe' call ... depending upon your table, but more likely 'fold' (depends)
3) on a stack of that size you should never raise & then 'flatcall' a raise. You should typically tighten ur range when you're sitting with ~20bb's & only be opening with hands you're willing to get it in with (of course though.. 'it depends', lol.. there will be situations where you might consider raise/folding... but try not to make a habit of it).
 
Shady Vision

Shady Vision

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With a stack of 5,000 & blinds 125/250 you're not deep enough to be playing 'small ball' (you have only 20bb's).
1.) with 20bb's (depending upon villain) you might want to 'flat' w monsters (AA/KK) with plan of getting it in postflop
with 'good hands', (depending upon villain) just SHIP IT! 20bb's is a great re-steal sized stack
You stack isn't deep enough to be 'calling' with 'drawing hands' (depending upon what you consider 'drawing hands') & expecting to play postflop poker. Ideally you should be looking to get it in (but of course 'it depends')

Agree 100% here, if you don't want to shove with the monsters or dont think the opponent will 4bet shove then flat it and plan to get it in on the flop. For premium hands that you aren't sure about I'd say 3bet it heavy or shove, that should induce a fold in most instances.
 
B

baudib1

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20-25 BB stacks are probably the most awkward to play...

15-18 BBs you just ship it pre, you have the perfect resteal stack size. 20-25 seems a bit too much but you don't really have any maneuverability. so just ship it pre but play tighter than with 15-18.
 
Dorkus Malorkus

Dorkus Malorkus

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As people have already said, with the blinds/stacks suggested you shouldn't be looking to play smallball, you should be looking to get it in.

All this is 'generally speaking' and without any significant reads, of course.

#1 - If someone is raising to 750-1000 and you have less than 5k, you should just shove with big hands. Even taking the blinds and raise represents a big percentage boost to your stack, and there's always the chance you'll get looked up by a hand you're dominating.

#2 - With a 20bb stack you should rarely be limping. Sure, from the button or SB with 4 limpers and 87s you're probably okay to limp, but generally you either want to try and take the pot preflop seeing as nobody has given any indication they have a strong hand and will call a significant raise, or just toss your hand and move on.

#3 - If you're getting reraised with the stacks/blinds you suggest, your only real options are shove or fold. Calling for half or more of your stack is pretty ridiculous regardless of the situation.
 
J

Justindust

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thanks for the heads up ;) guys.

Ok I think i missed calculated the stack size a little there ;).
But how would all this apply when you're in deep?
 
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