Calling with Paint in the blinds - criteria?

[MrX5000]

In MTT play, I struggle with calling from the blinds with somewhat marginal hands but with good odds to call and see a flop. For instance, I'm sitting in the Big blind with AT and there's a raise 3x the BB in late position.

Here's the dilema I'm having...

1. I'm getting better than 2-1 on my money but in order to take control of the hand, I usually have to lead out or the original raiser takes down the pot. I don't like putting in two passive actions like calling and checking. (assuming isolation)

2. When I call and see a flop and an Ace hits, it usually costs me money for being the 2nd best hand. It costs me the call plus a bet to find out where I stand...approx 2x for the call and another 3x for the bet or 5x. an opional bet on the turn or river adds to it. (assuming two or more opponents)

Clearly to me folding seems like the best overall option here. I have read arguments on calling because of the pot odds your getting but aren't you in more trouble by hitting with a marginal hand? Doesn't that affect your actual implied winnings?

Please voice your opinion. What's better? When do you fold a hand like this even when given the odds to call? When is it correct to call and incorrect...etc. speak in terms of how stacked you are in the tourney, what phase..etc.

I appreciate your help.

[petsa]

I think blind stealing occurs with quite a big range. So it is not a given that the aggressor has a better kicker if the flop has an ace. It helps if you have some reads on your opponent. If they are supertight, and do not normally steal blinds with trash, then folding is probably correct. I don't have any standard play for that kind of situation. Sometimes I call, sometimes I raise. But with AT I rarely fold against blind stealing. Maybe I'm playing too loosely...

In last couple of tournaments I got in to quite bloody blind battles with a bigger stack. The big stack went all in (not with a great hand). I had to fold and loose one third of my stack. I think with a smaller stack it might be correct play to fold. Also, in the bubble it is probably not worth the risk to play AT very aggressively. If I had a superior stack, I might raise from BB with AT against blind stealing.

Very interested to see what others think. I have some serious leakage in my MTT play...

[limon]

[ QUOTE ]
In MTT play, I struggle with calling from the blinds with somewhat marginal hands but with good odds to call and see a flop. For instance, I'm sitting in the Big blind with AT and there's a raise 3x the BB in late position.

Here's the dilema I'm having...

1. I'm getting better than 2-1 on my money but in order to take control of the hand, I usually have to lead out or the original raiser takes down the pot. I don't like putting in two passive actions like calling and checking. (assuming isolation)

2. When I call and see a flop and an Ace hits, it usually costs me money for being the 2nd best hand. It costs me the call plus a bet to find out where I stand...approx 2x for the call and another 3x for the bet or 5x. an opional bet on the turn or river adds to it. (assuming two or more opponents)

Clearly to me folding seems like the best overall option here. I have read arguments on calling because of the pot odds your getting but aren't you in more trouble by hitting with a marginal hand? Doesn't that affect your actual implied winnings?

Please voice your opinion. What's better? When do you fold a hand like this even when given the odds to call? When is it correct to call and incorrect...etc. speak in terms of how stacked you are in the tourney, what phase..etc.

I appreciate your help.

[/ QUOTE ]

try puttin your opponent on a range of hands and making the best play against that range. game gets pretty simple then. if your range is right it actually becomes profitable.