What cards will you open with when in short stacks?

[dangbaonguyen93]

You have less than 5BB, what will you do?

 

[Gritz18]

You have less than 5BB, what will you do?

With 5bb, you can't wait long for a monster hand, you have to move, otherwise your fold equity is compromised, you could even think about holding if you were on the bubble, but even then if it was for a significant amount.

 

[infonazar]

You have less than 5BB, what will you do?

I will certainly play, depending on my pocket cards and table position. I wonder if you have any other options, or maybe I just misunderstood your question.

 

[BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch]

You have less than 5BB, what will yof

Its not always about the cards but what the situation is. Think about it, you're playing a TOURNAMENT. Think about other variables, other than the cards and that will start you on the right path.

 

[0546474]

With 5BB you will have to take risks with a fairly wide spectrum !!! For example, from a late position, if everything was thrown away before you, then almost any two cards are played !!!

 

[Dimidrol2]

Having a short stack, the main rule is to play one-on-one, and of course with a card that allows more than one pair. In general, you can play with any card, this is poker actually!)

 

[Like2Play2]

If the blinds are big, I will have what I call "A short stack attack". All in with any 2 cards.

 

[Edu1]

with no much time left, any hand with Ace for preference

 

[hilary antonik filho]

With 5 BB you don't have many options, play it all or wait for a good hand, even if you end up with less than 5 BB

 

[vitas_top]

It all depends on the situation in each hand, but in general, these are pairs, any ace, and sublime connectors.

 

[makisaa]

If there are left 5bb, there just a few things you can do. If there is the ability wait for a good couple of cards and go all in. If it works then repeat this dynamic and try to make a better bankroll, to reach the money.

 

[MTT Database Review]

That question is way too broad. 5bb where? On UTG, on BTN, when nobody else opened or when there is already an open? Here are couple of random different spots where we have 5-6bb: (all of this are chipEV, it could look very differently on final tables)

 

[kaynbergo]

if I have less than 5bb and no pressure from the test side, I will open any Ax hand, any K suit, and any pocket pair, including KJ. CD

 

[Veralt]

I think I would go all in with any "playable" hand. For example, any A, K, Q, J, pair, or connector. 5BB seems too extreme to me, I don't think you can afford to be picky.
Although I must say, assuming it's the typical tournament where blinds increase every few minutes, I would be thinking about doing this well before reaching the 5BB mark.

 

[Matt_Burns88]

As @MTT Database Review already stated, this is a far too open ended question to answer with just a sentence or two. To receive better responses, you should try to include as much detail as possible. The below information can make a huge difference on your strategy.

• Type of tournament
• Number of players at the table
• Position
• Other stack sizes
• Preceding action
• Reads on players left to act (tendencies of aggression etc.)
• How long on the current blind levels
• Stage of the tournament (any immediate ICM implications)

 

[iwont20]

With this tiny push-fold stack you need to push a lot of hands, especially from late positions and SB. You can find plenty of charts online for that.
Here are a few links to them:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hHM04qRKysOVj0IoiW6EZpWFSVB2U3Oscg4-B2_0xog/edit#gid=3
https://www.push-or-fold.com/jennifear-push-fold.php
https://www.mypokercoaching.com/push-fold-chart/

 

[duqnuk]

You have less than 5BB, what will you do?

It depends on a lot of factors.

Are you in the bubble? ITM?
Is a PKO or regular tourney?
Whats your position? Early or Late position?
How is the stack size of the player next to you? Deep or short stack?

As you see, it really depends on a few factors, but in a general way, if you have 5bb you should jam or fold (obviously) with any pairs, strong suited conectors, any suited Aces, and sometimes even any Ace in hand. But once again, it really depends on all the factors I mentioned above. If your FRI (firs raise in) in late position you should jam with all the cards I mentioned above.