With what stack size can we still set mine profitably?

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woedz

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With what stack size can we still set mine profitably? Hypothetical: let's use the Sunday Mini Million (structure) for this example:

10k starting stack, 12 min levels.

Let's say we have 35BB at 500/1.000. UTG+2 raises to 2250 — he has us covered. We have 55 on the BTN. The SB has us covered too, the BB hasn't.

Can we set mine (in a vacuum)? If not, from which stack size could we? If we can: how much lower in stack can we go before we have to fold?

How do we calculate this? Any variables that I'm missing?

Thanks.
 
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BadluckBubba

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There are way better more experienced players here than me but when it comes to pocket pairs my stack size doesnt play the most important role. The preflop play before my turn does, who is left yet to act and their aggression even more so.

I have found though that in bad positions, with a tight reputation, I will play 77 etc preflop like its QQ+. A healthy 3 bet or open so I can continuation and rep something bigger if I miss. I get a lot of folds this way when I miss.
 
xkenjix

xkenjix

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i believe odds are 1 in 8 to flop a set, but that doesnt mean we always win when we flop it. so i think you must get 1 in 12 odds(math wise)~ to call for set mining odds. obviously in a vacuum we almost never get 12:1 odds on a call. we must also consider SPR(stack to pot ratio). if we call, sb and bb calls, theres 9k in the pot, we have 32250~ behind. which is around 3.5SPR. not sure what exactly the spr needs to be, but the higher the better.
 
dj11

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My concept of set mining is that we get to see a cheap flop. The situation you describe is not gonna be cheap. However, you had built a stack, and what good is it if it isn't working?

55 is a little weak for my style to be 3 betting, but if I have evaluated the table well, I could do that.

Not sure that would be a hard math equation you can use, more a fuzzy equation. One that includes likelihoods of other players reactions to the original raiser, and then us joining the fray.

You don't tell us how you have evaluated the players involved. With only stack sizes, the best we can ascribe to those players is a 'general population' model.. i.e. its a new table.

For a better response, we need to have a feel for how you evaluated those players that you are concerned about.
 
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QA77

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I think over 30 big blinds is fine to set mine. If you get under 20bbs, it's probably better to 3 bet shove.
 
BriceNice

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30BB is more than enough to profitably set mine. I would say all the way down to 17BB is ok in certain situations where you know what kind of table you're at.
 
Diegol

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A call is good in that spot, anything under 25BB is not
 
lilcharlierich

lilcharlierich

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Just learned something thanks guys
 
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PKRNRS

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I have no problem limping into a pot with this.
 
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TCashMoney19

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With what stack size can we still set mine profitably? Hypothetical: let's use the Sunday Mini Million (structure) for this example:

10k starting stack, 12 min levels.

Let's say we have 35BB at 500/1.000. UTG+2 raises to 2250 — he has us covered. We have 55 on the BTN. The SB has us covered too, the BB hasn't.

Can we set mine (in a vacuum)? If not, from which stack size could we? If we can: how much lower in stack can we go before we have to fold?

How do we calculate this? Any variables that I'm missing?

Thanks.
Let me preface my response below by saying I am not a tournament professional, as my background comes mostly from playing cash games. So the knowledge below comes from playing cash where effective stacks are normally at or around 100BBs. So my guess is that the math is a little different, especially when taking antes into account for tournaments, but this is a good general rule to think about when set mining:

The general rule that you should follow is that we need to have deep enough stacks and implied odds to stack that opponent when we do flop a set . Take the open raise and multiply that by 25. This all comes from math that I learned from SplitSuit's YouTube channel (a professional player) but the basic premise is that we will only flop a set or better about 12% of the time. Even when we do flop a set, we won't always get paid because sometimes the other players just miss and will cbet and then fold to any other aggression. So this rule is taking into account the times that we don't get paid and will help you set mine profitably over the long run.

So, if we multiply the open raise by 25 and the result is SMALLER than the effective stack of the opener, we can profitably call to set mine in a tournament. So, in your example, we should have effective stacks somewhere around 56k for this to be a profitable setmine with 55 which we do not have since our own effective stack is 35k. However, as I mentioned above, this math does not take into account tournament antes or anything like that. I would say in tournaments that you can profitably setmine when the effective stacks are 40-45+ BBs. Once you get into the 30 BB mark, you want to start playing more conservatively with smaller pocket pairs, as we will be bleeding chips if we're always calling those simply to setmine preflop. Once you get below 20BBs, you should never set mine and only fold or rejam your stack depending on the looseness of the opener and the openers position as well as yours (i.e. how many players still have cards behind me that can call if I jam?). Hope this helps!
 
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