Getting into the Seat....example satellite play (the last 20 hands)

Sherman · #1 10-29-2007, 11:10 PM

There have been some questions about proper satellite play lately. I have played a bunch of satellites for $T and have been pretty successful at it. Just today I played 2 and qualified in both. I thought I might share a few late game hands I played today that demonstrate how satellite play is very different from FO play.

This set of hands follows me through the end of a $20 satellite to the Nightly $55 50K Gtd. 125 Runners to start, 42 seats. If it seems boring or trivially easy at times, that is b/c I chose not to delete any hands. Just to demonstrate how careful you should play on the satellite bubbles. We pick up here with ~54 left.

First, 125 runners at 1000 starting chips a piece means that the average stack at the bubble will be ~3K (125,000 / 42 = 2976.19). So that is the number I am shooting to be at 3K in chips.

I start here with 2.2K in chips. So I don't need that many more chips to get a seat. In fact, if the bubble were starting right now, I'm sure I could safely fold in. But I am going to probably have to play a bit before I can fold into the seat.

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HAND #1
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 75/150 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+1: 745
MP1: 2,185
MP2: 1,270
CO: 3,565
BTN: 1,590
SB: 955
Hero (BB): 2,275
UTG: 870

Pre-Flop: (225) Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BB)
5 folds, CO calls 150, BTN folds, SB raises to 955 and is All-In, Hero folds, CO calls 805

Flop: (2,060) K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Turn: (2,060) T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: (2,060) 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: 2,060 Pot
CO showed 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (two pair, Sevens and Fives) and LOST (-955 NET)
SB showed 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (a straight, Six to Ten) and WON 2,060 (+1,105 NET)

Super easy fold here.

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HAND #2
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG: 745
UTG+1: 2,185
MP1: 1,270
MP2: 2,610
CO: 1,590
BTN: 2,060
Hero (SB): 2,125
BB: 870

Pre-Flop: (300) J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (SB)
3 folds, MP1 raises to 1,270 and is All-In, 5 folds

Results: 500 Pot
MP1 mucked and WON 500 (+300 NET)

Again, another easy fold.

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HAND #3
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

BB: 745
UTG: 2,185
UTG+1: 1,570
MP1: 2,610
MP2: 1,590
CO: 2,060
Hero (BTN): 2,025
SB: 870

Pre-Flop: (300) 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
6 folds, Hero raises to 2,025 and is All-In, 2 folds

Results: 500 Pot
Hero mucked 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] and WON 500 (+300 NET)

This is an easy shove for the button. 300 chips can be picked up and I have no risk of busting (which is disastrous at this point) b/c the stacks behind me are so short.

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HAND #4
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

BB: 745
UTG: 2,185
UTG+1: 1,570
MP1: 2,610
MP2: 1,590
CO: 2,060
Hero (BTN): 2,325
SB: 670

Pre-Flop: (300) T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
2 folds, MP1 calls 200, MP2 raises to 600, 5 folds, MP1 calls 400

Flop: (1,500) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
MP1 bets 1,800, MP2 calls 990 and is All-In

Turn: (3,480) 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: (3,480) T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: 3,480 Pot
MP1 showed A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (a pair of Jacks) and LOST (-1,590 NET)
MP2 showed A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (a pair of Aces) and WON 3,480 (+1,890 NET)

Easy fold with the raise in front.

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HAND #5
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

SB: 545
BB: 2,185
UTG: 1,570
UTG+1: 1,020
MP1: 3,480
MP2: 2,060
Hero (CO): 2,325
BTN: 570

Pre-Flop: (300) 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (CO)
7 folds

Results: 200 Pot
BB mucked and WON 200 (+100 NET)

Again, I could probably steal the blinds, but I am in no hurry. I've got some time to play and busting here is disastrous. My hand is not good if I get called.

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HAND #6
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

BTN: 445
SB: 2,285
BB: 1,570
UTG: 1,020
UTG+1: 3,480
MP1: 2,060
Hero (MP2): 2,325
CO: 570

Pre-Flop: (300) 2[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (MP2)
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to 600, 6 folds

Results: 500 Pot
UTG+1 mucked and WON 500 (+300 NET)

No comment necessary.

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HAND #7
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

CO: 445
BTN: 2,185
SB: 1,370
BB: 1,020
UTG: 3,780
UTG+1: 2,060
Hero (MP1): 2,325
MP2: 570

Pre-Flop: (300) 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (MP1)
7 folds

Results: 200 Pot
BB mucked and WON 200 (+100 NET)

Easy fold.

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HAND #8
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 100/200 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

MP2: 445
CO: 2,185
BTN: 1,270
SB: 1,120
BB: 3,780
UTG: 2,060
Hero (UTG+1): 2,325
MP1: 570

Pre-Flop: (300) 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (UTG+1)
3 folds, MP2 raises to 445 and is All-In, 2 folds, SB raises to 1,120 and is All-In, BB folds

Flop: (1,090) 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Turn: (1,090) 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: (1,090) T[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: 1,090 Pot
MP2 showed 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (a pair of Sevens) and WON 1,090 (+645 NET)
SB showed A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (high card Ace) and LOST (-445 NET)

Another easy fold.

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HAND #9
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

MP1: 1,090
MP2: 2,185
CO: 1,270
BTN: 675
SB: 3,580
BB: 2,060
Hero (UTG): 2,325
UTG+1: 570

Pre-Flop: (650) Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (UTG)
6 folds, SB raises to 3,555 and is All-In, BB folds

Results: 800 Pot
SB mucked and WON 800 (+475 NET)

Same thing.

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HAND #10
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+1: 1,065
MP1: 2,160
MP2: 1,245
CO: 650
BTN: 4,055
SB: 1,735
Hero (BB): 2,300
UTG: 545

Pre-Flop: (650) K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BB)
4 folds, CO raises to 625 and is All-In, 2 folds, Hero calls 325

Flop: (1,600) K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Turn: (1,600) 5[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

River: (1,600) 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players - 1 is All-In)

Results: 1,600 Pot
CO showed 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (a pair of Fives) and LOST (-650 NET)
Hero showed K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (two pair, Kings and Fives) and WON 1,600 (+950 NET)

The blinds have moved up and I am now getting rediculous odds on a call in the BB. I still need a few more chips and this guys range is really wide. Easy call here.
The key is that I am looking for very +++++EV moves at this point if I am going to get involved, small edges are not worth pushing.

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HAND #11
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+1: 1,040
MP1: 2,135
MP2: 1,220
CO: 4,030
BTN: 1,560
Hero (SB): 3,250
BB: 6,360
UTG: 520

Pre-Flop: (650) 7[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 7[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (SB)
4 folds, CO raises to 900, 3 folds

Results: 950 Pot
CO mucked and WON 950 (+625 NET)

Now I have reached my target and more players have been eliminated. We are getting very close to the bubble. Absolutely no need to do anything but fold here. Notice that the CO can easily fold into a seat and is playing very badly by doing anything but folding here.

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HAND #12
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG: 1,015
UTG+1: 2,110
MP1: 1,195
MP2: 4,655
CO: 1,535
Hero (BTN): 3,075
SB: 6,035
BB: 495

Pre-Flop: (650) Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
6 folds, SB calls 150, BB checks

Flop: (800) Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 5[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (2 Players)
SB checks, BB checks

Turn: (800) 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (2 Players)
SB checks, BB checks

River: (800) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players)
SB checks, BB checks

Results: 800 Pot
SB showed K[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (high card Ace) and LOST (-325 NET)
BB showed K[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (high card Ace) and WON 800 (+475 NET)

Easy fold. We are not looking to do anything at all. All chips are valuable.

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HAND #13
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

BB: 990
UTG: 2,085
UTG+1: 1,170
MP1: 4,630
MP2: 1,510
Hero (CO): 3,050
BTN: 5,710
SB: 970

Pre-Flop: (650) Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (CO)
2 folds, MP1 raises to 900, 5 folds

Results: 950 Pot
MP1 mucked and WON 950 (+625 NET)

EZ Fold.

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HAND #14
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 150/300 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

SB: 665
BB: 2,060
UTG: 1,145
UTG+1: 5,255
MP1: 1,485
Hero (MP2): 3,025
CO: 5,685
BTN: 795

Pre-Flop: (650) Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (MP2)
UTG folds, UTG+1 raises to 900, 6 folds

Results: 950 Pot
UTG+1 mucked and WON 950 (+625 NET)

Here is a place where many would make a mistake. We now that the UTG+1 players is not playing well from before. We have equity against his range, however, playing here is just dumb. We are virtually gtd. a seat by folding. 99.9% chance of getting a seat. Even if he has an underpair, we still lose 20% of the time. Which is disastrous.

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HAND #15
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

BTN: 490
SB: 1,735
BB: 1,120
UTG: 5,880
UTG+1: 1,460
Hero (MP1): 3,000
MP2: 5,660
CO: 770

Pre-Flop: (920) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] K[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (MP1)
6 folds, SB raises to 1,695 and is All-In, BB folds

Results: 1,120 Pot
SB mucked and WON 1,120 (+680 NET)

Folding into the $.

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HAND #16
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

CO: 450
BTN: 2,415
SB: 680
BB: 5,840
UTG: 1,420
Hero (UTG+1): 2,960
MP1: 5,620
MP2: 730

Pre-Flop: (920) J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (UTG+1)
2 folds, MP1 calls 400, 4 folds, BB checks

Flop: (1,320) 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (2 Players)
BB checks, MP1 bets 1,200, BB folds

Results: 1,320 Pot
MP1 mucked and WON 1,320 (+880 NET)

Same.

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HAND #17
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

MP2: 410
CO: 2,375
BTN: 440
SB: 5,400
BB: 1,380
Hero (UTG): 2,920
UTG+1: 6,500
MP1: 690

Pre-Flop: (920) 3[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (UTG)
6 folds, SB raises to 800, BB folds

Results: 1,120 Pot
SB mucked and WON 1,120 (+680 NET)

Same.

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HAND #18
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

MP1: 370
MP2: 2,335
CO: 400
BTN: 6,080
SB: 940
Hero (BB): 2,880
UTG: 6,460
UTG+1: 650

Pre-Flop: (920) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BB)
7 folds

Results: 720 Pot
Hero mucked 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] and WON 720 (+480 NET)

Again, players might get tempted to get excited here if someone raises, but rest assured, I am fodling to almost any raise at all at this point (except maybe MP1 who has barely more than BB and losing to him costs me virtually nothing).

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HAND #19
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 200/400 Blinds, 8 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG+1: 330
MP1: 2,295
MP2: 360
CO: 6,040
BTN: 700
Hero (SB): 3,360
BB: 6,420
UTG: 610

Pre-Flop: (920) 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (SB)
7 folds

Results: 720 Pot
BB mucked and WON 720 (+480 NET)

Again, it would be a huge mistake to play here. EZ fold.

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HAND #20
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Poker Stars, $18.50 + $1.50 NL Hold'em Tournament, 300/600 Blinds, 9 Players
LegoPoker Hand History Converter

UTG: 290
UTG+1: 2,255
UTG+2: 320
MP1: 4,065
MP2: 6,000
CO: 660
Hero (BTN): 3,120
SB: 6,900
BB: 570

Pre-Flop: (1,350) T[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] T[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] dealt to Hero (BTN)
UTG calls 230 and is All-In, 3 folds, MP2 raises to 1,800, 3 folds

Flop: (2,090) 9[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (3 Players - 2 are All-In)

Turn: (2,090) 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (3 Players - 2 are All-In)

River: (2,090) 7[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (3 Players - 2 are All-In)

Results: 2,090 Pot
UTG showed Q[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-290 NET)
MP2 showed J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] A[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] (a pair of Nines) and WON 2,090 (+1,520 NET)
BB showed 5[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] (a pair of Nines) and LOST (-570 NET)

Finally, we are at the bubble. Only 1 player left until the $. The players here make many mistake, but I do not. Folding TT here is so easy. MP2 is playing really poorly by getting involved. If the UTG player were paying attention, he should also muck his hand PF, regardless of what he has. He has a better chance of the BB busting and getting into the $ with less than 1BB left. Very poor play all around.

And we qualify and earn some $T.

hagbard celine · #2 10-30-2007, 12:30 AM

Sherman,

Nice post. I play a lot of $8 2 table satellites for tokens on tilt, and notice a lot of the bad play you talk about in your post -- basically people not realizing that despite the strength of their hand, the profitability of certain late-game situations are not worth getting involved and risking what is a comfortable stack.

Question:

Hand #4. Would this be as easy a push of the blinds covered? Obv it's different if they barely cover or if they have you 2 or 3-1.

What would their stacks have to be to make you fold? Or is this always a push regardless of stacks?

Sherman · #3 10-30-2007, 12:46 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Sherman,

Nice post. I play a lot of $8 2 table satellites for tokens on tilt, and notice a lot of the bad play you talk about in your post -- basically people not realizing that despite the strength of their hand, the profitability of certain late-game situations are not worth getting involved and risking what is a comfortable stack.

Question:

Hand #4. Would this be as easy a push of the blinds covered? Obv it's different if they barely cover or if they have you 2 or 3-1.

What would their stacks have to be to make you fold? Or is this always a push regardless of stacks?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hand #4 would be kind of a tricky spot if it is folded to me. The proper play depends on estimation of your FE (i.e. how often you expect both players to fold). They both have short stacks and are probably pretty willing to put it in soon b/c we are still 5-8 people away from the bubble at this point. So they are probably calling pretty light. It is probably a fold.

If they had deeper stacks, you gain more FE b/c they have more to lose by busting, so shoving becomes more profitable. However, as their stacks increase so does the probability of you busting if you run into a big hand. There is a tough balance there b/c in satellites near bubbles you are much more risk than in a regular freezeout (i.e. it is often correct to fold in spots where your edge is small).

Sherman

hagbard celine · #4 10-30-2007, 12:53 AM

sorrry...i meant hand #3

Sherman · #5 10-30-2007, 12:53 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I play a lot of $8 2 table satellites for tokens on tilt, and notice a lot of the bad play you talk about in your post

[/ QUOTE ]

As another point, I'm not sure how these work on Full Tilt, but I don't play many satellites that only pay 1 or 2 seats/prizes. They play much more like regular freezeouts and your edge is approximately equivalent to what it is in regular freezeouts.

Your edge can be rather huge in satellites that pay multiple seats (such as the $20 to the $55 here). Although you have a reduced ROI (b/c your BI is 2/5ths of the $ you are trying to win) your edge is still very large b/c multi-seat paying satellites are full of horrendous bubble play.

Sherman

Sherman · #6 10-30-2007, 12:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
sorrry...i meant hand #3

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah, yeah, it would still be an easy push there I think. We need a few chips and this is a good spot to pick them up. If the blinds have huge stacks (e.g. 8K+) and appear to be thinking players, it is an even easier shove b/c they should be folding ATC.

Sherman

hagbard celine · #7 10-30-2007, 12:56 AM

18 players, 5 get a token, 6th gets $14

Sherman · #8 10-30-2007, 12:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
18 players, 5 get a token, 6th gets $14

[/ QUOTE ]

Not bad, but I do think you can get a bigger edge in sats. that pay many many seats, like 20+.

M1cKmAcK · #9 10-30-2007, 09:55 AM

Great post sherman. I like this sat alot. It's seems to be one of the softest on stars. 1/3 of field getting seat is nice too. Good insight.

Viezerik · #10 10-31-2007, 10:53 AM

A week ago I started playing supersatt. like the 11+ to a $215 ticket and I am doing fine. I had some similar ideas about these tournaments.
I am using the pushbot-chart but I find it difficult when to push or not to push in situations when it says: Push!
I posted some hands yesterday, can u help me with them?
Thank you, great post!