Targeting weaker players

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meltdown

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When I hit the bubble, and everyone is busting out/rebuying, I tend to target the guys looking to double their chips.

Lets say I have 50k chips, on the button, everyone else folded, and the guy next to me in the cut off shoves 6k all-in. I'm always inclined to call with marginal hands. because to me, it's 50/50, if I lose I'm not in terrible shape, and he's probably shoving with ANY highcards.

Is this a bad habit? .. if so, why?

Also, is it better to target this chip leader of the table? .. I find it hard to bluff chip leader, and i'm always getting bullied around folding medium-sized pots. Any suggestions?
 
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ph_il

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When I hit the bubble, and everyone is busting out/rebuying, I tend to target the guys looking to double their chips.

Lets say I have 50k chips, on the button, everyone else folded, and the guy next to me in the cut off shoves 6k all-in. I'm always inclined to call with marginal hands. because to me, it's 50/50, if I lose I'm not in terrible shape, and he's probably shoving with ANY highcards.

Is this a bad habit? .. if so, why?
It really depends on how much it's costing you in terms of BBs. If you have a significant amount of BBs, say 83 if blinds are 300/600, then you can call with a bit of a wider range but not necessarily any 2 cards. It's probably still a good idea to fold the weakest of holdings. If villain is shoving high cards, you only have 40% equity if you aren't sharing any cards like 25o vs QJo. However, given their shove range vs calling a weak ATC hand, your equity is much lower.

Another thing to consider is the blind behind you in this situation, their stack sizes, and what they might do. If they're short-mid and capable of shoving to isolate, then you're better off folding off your weak hands and 3betting with your strong hands. You want to avoid awkward situations where you call off a 6K all-in shove with a hand like 39o only to face a reshove behind you for an extra 8K. It's hard to fold for 8K more when you have 6K invested, but you're putting in 15K or 30% of your stack with a very weak hand.
Also, is it better to target this chip leader of the table? .. I find it hard to bluff chip leader, and i'm always getting bullied around folding medium-sized pots. Any suggestions?
It's actually better to attack medium sized stacks.

Big stacks are capable of calling with a wider range of hands, can splash around in pots without risk of busting, and put tons of pressure on you. I'd only play with strong hands against them or set traps with small pairs/suited connectors and hope to hit a monster flop.

Small stacks are in shove/fold mode so you can make small raises against them to pick up blinds with a wide range, but usually to fold vs a 3bet shove from them unless you have a decent hand. If they shove, then you should call with a pretty wide range but not necessarily a huge one. Unless villain is a maniac, they're still shoving with a lot of pairs, high suited connectors, broadway hands, and Ax. So, your call range should be able to beat their range or at least flip with their range. Again, depending on stack size and how much of your stack is at risk. Of course, if they're shoving only 1 BB and you close action, you can call with anything. It's different if they're shoving 10 BBs or 15 BBs.

Similar sized stacks are better to attack because they a) can't put as much pressure as the big stacks and b) usually wont splash in around a lot of pots in fear of getting busted out before the short stacks. Of course, this really depends on the player. If they're ones who has tighten up and are folding a lot to make the money, then attack them more. Don't be afraid to raise against them a lot or 3bet light vs them as they usually won't play back with weak hands because of the fear of busting out. And if they do, you can just fold, then attack again when the opportunity comes.
 
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joe777

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Also, is it better to target this chip leader of the table? .. I find it hard to bluff chip leader, and i'm always getting bullied around folding medium-sized pots. Any suggestions?

Avoid bluffing chipleader with marginal hands.
 
tocloc238

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I like targeting the blinds of the players who are more than happy just to minimum cash.
 
danndourado

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You maybe should try to apply chess strategies in your game. If a vilain play so agressive, you should try to make him in defensive among lot ot things. :)
 
PacMan

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I understand if you do it in the big blind, but the button ??? Firstly: for you are two players who may have strong cards, secondly, will see what you are close to your opponent's bluff in the future no one will believe.
 
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paulsmall007

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Yea I don't recommend getting frisky with the chip leader on loose holdings, they can afford to see flops and most of the time they've made loose calls to get where there at In the first place. I wanna pick on people and be a bully, but not to be labeled a bully. Don't single anyone out and rotate who ur exploring . Be the bully without being labeled a bully again
 
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meltdown

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Be the bully without being labeled a bully again

This is great advice.. I tend to analyze one specific person at a time and target them -- but by rotating your targets, they don't catch on as often. Thanks!
 
edc1

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i tend to atack the smaller stacks -while trying not to mix it up to much with the big stacks unless i have a good hand-also keeping an eye on the weaker players trying to make some moves
 
Zhendos

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the stack is more the it is simpler to press, especially on a bubble, short stacks play very accurately, at the expense of it it is possible to increase the stack not bad
 
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