Bubble play vs aggressive players

[ChuckTs]

Usually by the time the bubble comes around, or even well before it, people tend to tighten up. Switching gears to a more aggressive style is a perfect way to counteract that, and to build on your stack at a crucial time. But what happens if the players at your table are super aggressive???

Well, this is a situation that I've found myself in the last few multitable SnGs I've played in.

In each of the situations, I've been average-stacked (plus or minus), and my typical bubble aggression (obviously) doesn't work! I've literally had 20BB stacks call for half their stack on the bubble with A4 all in preflop. People just don't seem to care at the $5 level (another 'obviously'). I can't sit around waiting for hands with a 15 or 10BB stack, with blinds getting increasingly larger.

Anyways, I'm looking for some input as to what the hell you do in this situation. The obvious solution is to start getting AA every hand and push every time, but (obviously) that doesn't seem to happen to often.

Considering you played a solid game, started to get aggressive after the first break. Now have an average stack, are getting no cards, and your opponents are catching on to your aggressive style (and hence playing aggressively themselves); what type of style or what strategy do you use to stay alive here?

 

[t1riel]

I would play tight but play aggressively when you eventually get a hand to work with. (i.e. K, 9/Q, 10) or better (i.e. K, J/A, J). When you start to get shortstacked, starting pushing when you get pocket pairs, A-x or suited connectors.

 

[Bombjack]

Personally I wouldn't push with suited connectors. They're just not good enough in a heads-up situation, and you'll usually only get one caller. Pairs and good Aces rule. Try not to call a push with less than AJ - I've been burnt too many times calling with AT, A8 etc...

I think against aggressive opponents you've just got to wait for a hand, get them to raise you then push.

 

[Styrofoam]

i actually agree with bombjack here on the suited connectors, unless they are high connectors, like 89 910 or 10J. in any event, if they are playing ultra aggressive during the bubble..tighten up again and punish them with a monster.

 

[Egon Towst]

If they are that crazy, sit back and wait for one of them to crash out and promote you into the money. It won`t take long if they play that way.

If you get a pair TT or better, or AK, AQ, AJ, push hard and hurry them on their way. Fold everything else, because they`re likely to raise and put you to a nasty decision with a borderline hand.

Once you`re in the money, open up again and go for 1st or 3rd.

I had a situation even worse than you describe in an SnG about 3 hours ago. 5 of us left and me 5th with two or three of the others raising everything. I played it the way I`ve said and won it

 

[Dorkus Malorkus]

Position is key, too. Obviously if the maniac is to your left, all your steal attempts have to go through him, and what Egon said is pretty much a perfect description of the way you have to play in this scenario.

If the maniac is a seat or two to your right, you're actually in a quite ideal situation. While you may not try to steal with A3s if you had to get past a maniac sitting to your left, if the maniac has already folded, you're in LP (or in any position on some occasions, depending on the table) and the blinds (or players behind you) are tight, you're free to go for it.

Essentially, practice basic "Steal from the tight shortstacks who are trying to just make the money, stay away from the loose bigstacks" bubble strategy. Of course, in tournaments your seating is purely down to luck, so if you do have the loose bigstack to your left there's not a lot you can do about it - just remember these situations even out in the long run.

 

[Egon Towst]

what Egon said is pretty much a perfect description of the way you have to play in this scenario.

Why, thank you, kind sir. The cheque`s in the post