Ethics of Shortstacking the 2k

[Shaun]

I've done a version of this before but with a 50BB stack instead of only 20BB. My strategy was therefore very different in that I wasn't pushing pre-flop very often. My major decision street was usually the flop, and this size stack would sometimes let me see flops for one raise with a smaller pair in hopes of flopping a set. Anyway it was really boring but I'm convinced it is a good way to take a shot at a bigger game and get a lot of action on your money.

Of course it's ethical. If it's allowed within the rules, it's fair. People who are properly funded for the game don't like it because they want your seat to be filled by a fish with a full buy-in, not by someone employing a strategy that causes them to adjust to perhaps a less than optimal style of play.

That said it is easy to avoid giving short stacks action. Simply folding all but the best hands to their pushes is it. If no one else gives them action, the blinds will eat them up. The problem is, you want to give the short stack action to get at a big stack's money. Herein lies the dilemma and this is obviously why it is such a good strategy.

No limit is a great game precisely because many more strategies can be used than in limit, simplistic or no. Limit poker is a showdown fest. Limit sucks.