SNG, weak hands, great pot odds,.

[Poker Clif]

This post doesn't technically belong here, because it references a 2T SNG, but

1. MTT doesn't seem like the right forum, and
2. No one on the beginners forum responded.

So, here's the post:


How good do pot odds have to be before you'll play almost anything? Here's the situation: 2-table SNG, $1+.20, no reads, except that everyone at the table is a calling station, 7 or more going to almost every flop (9-person table).

I had the following 2 hands back to back.

1. 96o, I had 7:1 odds to enter the pot. I folded.

2. 44, I called the big blind, one raiser, it was 1 more bb to me with 5:1 pot odds. I called again.

Flop was A95 rainbow. Bunch of callers, I folded to the overcards with 5:1 odds.

Clearly, though the pot odds were better with hand #1, the pocket pair in #2 had much better implied odds, even with 3 overcards.

I'm not sure how to think about weak hands in a game like this, where almost everyone calls and almost no one raises (but when they do, small raises get a lot of callers).

Any general comments, or comments on the way I handled either hand, would be appreciated.

[RRizGod]

In a SNG i'm probably never calling with 96 no matter what the pot odds are.

I'm always calling 1 extra bet with a pocket pair no matter how many people are in the pot early in the SNG. Flopping sets are super powerful.

[syphos]

What position were you in in hand #1? If in late position I can see a call here or even a raise to try and take down the pot and bet a decent flop (one that missed others or hit you).

[TheFishhh]

With 7 calling stations, I'd assume you're tightening up & letting them take ea. other out. Regardless, as RRizGod has said, 96o is just not a hand you want to call with. Limping in with low PPs is fine, as long as you're able to get away from the hand once you miss the flop (which you did). Generally, limping in with < TT & AK/AQ is acceptable within the first 4 levels, raising 3xBB with JJ+ &/or re-raising is acceptable to, but is entirely situational. A lot of it depends on your position, from the SB you might find success playing suited connectors (2 or 3 gappers, possibly) & high connecting cards (QTo, etc.).

[RRizGod]

[ QUOTE ]
What position were you in in hand #1? If in late position I can see a call here or even a raise to try and take down the pot and bet a decent flop (one that missed others or hit you).

[/ QUOTE ]
terrible.

[Poker Clif]

It looks like everyone sees it pretty much the same way I did--dump garbage like 96, try to get any pocket pair in cheaply.

Thanks for the input.

[hoyasaxa]

also if there are 7 people in the pot you can play any kind of hand that can make a straight/flush...74 suited, preferably connectors like 89s