How do you play with less than 15BB on the bubble or in the money?

[duqnuk]

How do you play with less than 15BB on the bubble or in the money?

I'm wondering if the smart play it's to go all-in pre-flop or maybe wait for a premium hand or maybe a good hand close to that.

 

[dreamer13]

One of the main reasons why some people can't get the success they want at the lower stakes is because they make big pre-flop mistakes that cost them dearly on the flop, turn and river.In fact, in today's games, one of the easiest ways to spot weaker players is to look for people who are limping into the pot. If this is still a problem for you, then I would suggest that you eradicate it from your game as quickly as possible.Position plays a key role in poker. It's also a proven fact that you'll win a lot more money when you're near the button than anywhere else.Stick to a relatively tight style when playing in the blinds, especially if you are just a beginner.If you're on the button or the cut-off, it's time to start playing all those weak aces, weak kings, suited connectors, suited half-connectors with one missing card in sequence, and so on.Another big preflop mistake that can cost you dearly is over-calling 3-bets out of position. There may be times when you raise and get 3-bet. Many low stakes players make the mistake of calling a lot in these situations.

 

[julio gonzalez]

Hello it's difficult to decide when you're in a bubble with AA OR KK. I lost with those hands in a bubble and I was out of pay. already in money it's easier with less than 20 bb and with a position I go there without thinking much about it

 

[mushthebush]

Keep it simple, tight, aggressive and patient. I often end up playing with little to no BB's left but I very often get in the money and then see what I can do once I'm in the money. And even if I lose a low percentage of times with aces or kings, there is no point in folding them in the bubble, even certain other pocket pairs or AK or AQ suited but it depends on what's going on at the table. Pay full attention to the gameplay and play your cards right.

 

[Andyreas]

With less than 15 BBs you should definitely be playing push or fold (assuming there's an ante).

You can refer to the 30 days course of CardsChat to find out about shoving ranges. A good rule of thumb is the so-called magic range which are pocket pairs, suited aces and suited Broadways.

Of course the range also depends on your position, for example 22 would be a fold from UTG but probably be a push from BN.

You can also watch the table if people tighten up on the bubble and make use of that.

 

[oarroyo]

I play very cautiously, only all in with KK or AA lol

 

[duqnuk]

One of the main reasons why some people can't get the success they want at the lower stakes is because they make big pre-flop mistakes that cost them dearly on the flop, turn and river.In fact, in today's games, one of the easiest ways to spot weaker players is to look for people who are limping into the pot. If this is still a problem for you, then I would suggest that you eradicate it from your game as quickly as possible.Position plays a key role in poker. It's also a proven fact that you'll win a lot more money when you're near the button than anywhere else.Stick to a relatively tight style when playing in the blinds, especially if you are just a beginner.If you're on the button or the cut-off, it's time to start playing all those weak aces, weak kings, suited connectors, suited half-connectors with one missing card in sequence, and so on.Another big preflop mistake that can cost you dearly is over-calling 3-bets out of position. There may be times when you raise and get 3-bet. Many low stakes players make the mistake of calling a lot in these situations.

Thanks for the response!

I'm aware that limping it's usually a bad play. I usually limp when I have a monster such as AA
Since you mentioned playing more in the button or the cut-off, how should you play when in the button or cut-off and the UTG or UTG+1 raise 2BB and you have like KJ suited?

What is a good strategy for medium hands when UTG raised?

 

[duqnuk]

I play very cautiously, only all in with KK or AA lol

I understand that, but what if the antes are high and at every hand your losing more and more? Should you still risk and wait for a premium hand?

 

[Ff123]

You can play shove or check and push depending on bb sb defend ratio and their perceived hand strength

 

[Ff123]

I understand that, but what if the antes are high and at every hand your losing more and more? Should you still risk and wait for a premium hand?

Lets say you should push ax and kx hands when you are in position or you limp with same hands and if you get raised u call or you push when you hit the flop

 

[Risto234]

If ITM is secured then obviously start going all-in or so since minimum target accomplished

Otherwise i'd check first whether someone else is hanging for their life or not and then start ultimate timewasting while secretly hoping some other dudes manage to eliminate themselves lol ...

 

[ztibor72]

It also depends on your strategy up to that point, if you were tight, then under 15bb everyone will know if you just raise that you might have premium cards.
If you raise quite casually until then, you can raise as well.
But under 15bb, it's more appropriate to go all in or fold, and then you won't be stuck with 3-4 players on the flop with a premium hand.

 

[EnzoRS94]

That's where you should gamble.

 

[Gallarado777]

If you have that much bb in the middle of the tournament, you should play with two strong cards or medium cards and go to All-in on the flop to pick up your opponents bb

 

[Comboss599]

Just waitnig for very good hand like AA or KK, AK maybe. When i am already in the money even weaker hands.

 

[fundiver199]

Against good aggressive players you want to avoid min-raising with a 15BB stack near the bubble or on the final table, unless your hand is strong enough, that you are happy to call off their jam. The reason is, they will attack that a lot, and putting in 2BB without seeing a flop, and possibly even folding the best hand, is clearly not ideal. So in that situation the best strategy is to tigthen your range and open jam to take the play away from the opponents. But if the opponents are passive, then you can still play a small-ball strategy with a lot of min-raising and flop stabbing, if someone gives you action. So its all about understand the table dynamics, and who are left to act behind you.

 

[dzsire]

With 15 BB in the bubble I fold everything (if you ever lost money just before ITM because your AA or KK was gone against a 22 or 74, you've learned that it pays to wait...)

In the money with 15 BB you can wait for a big hand but same situation as in the bubble: If you received an AA or KK, it can be a trap: somebody who call your all in will win with some garbage (for e.g. 72) just because the tourney must progress. (Or the player with a lot of chips should be rewarded for his bravery). But of course in ITM with 15 BB you can play easily with everything. You already won, your hours of playing have not gone to waste.

So there is a fundamental difference between the two phases, in ITM you already have money, but in the bubble you don't have yet.

 

[scobido]

I play based on inspiration and analyzing my opponents well to catch their weaknesses.

 

[Pavel1203733]

Hello everyone. When i had short stack on the bubble i just played very carfully. In this situation i don't go all-in preflop if i don't have high pair.
And if i see that i can get prize zone i just fold almost every hand. Maybe it's wrong. Sometimes i see that it was wrong. But i understand that in other case everything could be no the same.

 

[Branimir84]

With less then 20BBs late tourney, you are playing all in or fold poker. If you are on the bubble, you can try to wait it out and only play the most premium of hands. If you are ITM, you can widen up a bit and go for it to get a chance to play for bigger pay outs.

 

[nerobs9]

If my hole cards are premium hands, even on the bubble I will go all-in with 15 blinds or less

 

[jordanbillie]

Of course the range also depends on your position, for example 22 would be a fold from UTG but probably be a push from BN.

Damn, I jammed 22 UTG today!!! That's probably why I lost my MTT 😂😂😂

 

[Andyreas]

Damn, I jammed 22 UTG today!!! That's probably why I lost my MTT 😂😂😂

Haha, love that reply. 😆

I don't have to tell you that it also depends on how short you were and on the other guys stack sizes. And also if the table was passive, etc. 😜

 

[Igor Popadyk]

depends on the opponents and the position, you can’t wait for a premium hand if you are in late position - I think that with a range of + -40 percent you can push, but an effective stack is also important

 

[Mortis]

Just ask yourself - Do you play to just cash? Or do you play to win?