all-in small medium PP in 10 table torneys

[fishraiser]

I recently started with single table tourneys.

I can see people going all in very frequently with small pairs 22 and up..even if they are not shortstacked...for instance: blinds are 100, average stack about 1500, two callers and blinds (350 chips) ...now someone in late go all in with small PP ( average stack).........Is this a good play or ??? is it bad..(also suppose 6-7 players left in tourney...OK if everyone fold u win 350 but if you are called u have probably as most 50% chance to win.............is this type of play considered bad and gambling or is it good play ??? tnx for answers

[riverruss]

lol donkaments

[fxrenegade]

I think it's bad play. really donkaments

[ShipitFMA]

In the instance you're talking about with low PP's its either all in or fold.

Both are probably +EV in the long run

[PantsOnFire]

It depends on how loose the players are. It depends on how often you are doing it. And having 10-12 BB is shortstacked. And with a 1000 chipstack and 350 chips in the pot, that's a tempting win. Pushing 1000 has plenty of fold equity.

So I might do it with several factors:

1. Players are not habitually limping with monster hands.

2. I am regarded as fairly tight.

3. I have enough chips for good fold equity (e.g. at least 3x the current pot which will lay 4:3 odds on a caller).

4. The other players are not completely loose and/or it is bubble time and there are a lot of folds lately.

5. No one has shown any strength preflop (i.e. no preflop raise).

6. The closer to the blinds the better.

7. 66 is a lot better than 22.

So I do feel that to this indiscriminantly or frequently is probably bad play. However, to pick a spot where you can feel the tightness, and nobody has done something stupid like limp with AA, you have a very high chance of success.

And besides, if you do get a real hand and do this again soon, you might get action.

[fishraiser]

Ok tnx PantsOnFire...well it seems more logical to make that play when the conditions you stated apply..but what I have seen one or more players frequently calls...maybe this play is better in higer games $50 buy in and more .....

[PantsOnFire]

[ QUOTE ]
..but what I have seen one or more players frequently calls...

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, and having loose players who will call with many hands really reduces your fold equity. When you make a play like this with something like 55, you really don't want a call. You want to win the chips in the pot without a fight.

And yes, the players at $50 are a little smarter and better so your fold equity will be higher. Some low level games have virtually no fold equity so you to make moves like this with much better hands.

Moving all-in with a low or medium pair could be considered a semi-bluff. If there is little chance of everyone folding, then it is a bad semi-bluff. If everyone is tight or afraid of the bubble or afraid of you, then it is a good semi-bluff. As always, poker judgement rules the day here.