[Nikoms]

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Putting the hands into SNGPT and hitting compute gives me a 3% edge for pushing. Normally, I say OK good play, bad luck.

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Okay - I get ICM (to an extent) and SNGPT. But something that drives me crazy about the shovebot mentality:

Much of the math is based on your hand vs. a random hand - which is true...in theory. In reality, you are always playing against someone (or someones) holding two actual cards. 34o is the second worst hands heads-up you can possibly play. Now, I also realize that the key here is FE - obviously, if he (or they) folds, it doesn't matter much. However, if villains see you shoving constantly, it's only a matter of time before they simply call you with a mediocre hand (or a good hand) that beats the rags you're shoving with.

I guess my point is, mathmatically shoving makes sense on a per hand basis - but who cares if you stole 4 blinds in 2 orbits, if the fifth time you shove you get called by pocket JJ and your ATo doesn't catch another bullet?

In SnGs, near/at the bubble, a shovebot is easy to spot. The only thing you have to figure out is what range they're shoving with, based on how often they go ai. The more often they shove, the greater the range. My point is simply that someone who uses ICM to decide when to shove is as easy to read as a TAG - you simply use your knowledge of ICM against them. One person was so obvious it was painful - shove with Ax, 3BB w/Kx. Needless to say, he 3BB, I had Ax, shoved, he called = I took his stack with neither improving.