short stack help

[jmar 0]

I haven't been winning lately and i think I could do better when short stacked. I play mostly low buy in 9 person SNGs. What's a good M to push with? I play pretty solid TAG (although I feel I've badly been slipping into LAG but that's another post) so I don't see a lot of flops. If I lose just a couple hands I'm down to an M around 5 pretty fast.For example: blinds are 60/120. 6 people left. I have 900. M is 5. If nobody's entered before me I'm pushing with any A8+, any pair, KQ+. Too loose? Can I wait for better? A lot of the time I'll take a blind, find 66 two hands later with one limper, push, and lose to 88 or AJ.

[Hobbes 1]

Remember that when playing short-handed you should use effective M, which accounts for the fact that the blinds are coming around quicker. So an M of 5 is actually an effective M of 5 * 6/9 = 3.3 in this situation. Middle to late position you can push with any Ace and most Kings too. Also, when you get that low, you pretty much need to double up and not just steal the blinds. So if your 66 runs into 88 or AJ and loses, well, that's the problem with being in the red zone.

[jmar 0]

so i should be pushing with even more hands. not what I wanted to hear, Hobbs!There's just no room to miss a hand in these tournaments. You only start with 1500. Breaking even over the first 7 rounds (36 minutes) lands you at an M of 9. You're pretty committed with any raise you put out there at that point.

[jmar 0]

How about pushing with hands that aren't dominated so easily? A2-A8 don't do me a whole lot of good, usually, because people really really really like calling with an Ace in their hand. Maybe I should forget low Aces and push with connectors (I already do if they're suited). Even Kings and Queens seem like they'd do better. I mean K6, Q6 and A6 are the same odds against 55 or 77, but quite a bit different against a higher A, right?

[copernicus 0]

How about pushing with hands that aren't dominated so easily? A2-A8 don't do me a whole lot of good, usually, because people really really really like calling with an Ace in their hand. Maybe I should forget low Aces and push with connectors (I already do if they're suited). Even Kings and Queens seem like they'd do better. I mean K6, Q6 and A6 are the same odds against 55 or 77, but quite a bit different against a higher A, right?

If youre playing shorthanded and shortstacked you cant forgo Aces because the probability of there being any Ace, much less better Ace out there is small. Hands are often one in shorthanded situations without a pair, and to have an A then is a big edge. Connectors, suited or otherwise, dont hold any specialo allure either. Their main value is that they are usually two live cards. Yes, if you get called when you push they have some minor extra value for flushes and straights but they are winning far more often when the pair or trip up. I would only play middle suited connectors when Im playing any two cards..ie with first in vigorish in MP or LP (assuming an effecitve M in the 3-7 range).Ks and Qs arent live as often when you get called, but they do have the benefit of being power cards against lower pairs. That balances out imo, and they are just as good as middle cards.

[jmar 0]

good point about the aces. I need to pay more attention to possition short stacked, too.you know what I think the biggest difference has been between winning and losing the last couple months? heads-up play. I'm not winning heads up like I used to. And it only takes a couple 2nds that used to be 1sts to turn profit into debt.i think i've been too aggressive HU. Is that possible? I'll plunk a lot of small pots because I'm always betting. Then I'll hit an open ended straight draw, bet, and end up losing to a pair. this happens to me a lot. missed draws kill me heads up.

[jmar 0]

good point about the aces. I need to pay more attention to possition short stacked, too.you know what I think the biggest difference has been between winning and losing the last couple months? heads-up play. I'm not winning heads up like I used to. And it only takes a couple 2nds that used to be 1sts to turn profit into debt.i think i've been too aggressive HU. Is that possible? I'll plunk a lot of small pots because I'm always betting. Then I'll hit an open ended straight draw, bet, and end up losing to a pair. this happens to me a lot. missed draws kill me heads up.

[jmar 0]

good point about the aces. I need to pay more attention to possition short stacked, too.you know what I think the biggest difference has been between winning and losing the last couple months? heads-up play. I'm not winning heads up like I used to. And it only takes a couple 2nds that used to be 1sts to turn profit into debt.i think i've been too aggressive HU. Is that possible? I'll plunk a lot of small pots because I'm always betting. Then I'll hit an open ended straight draw, bet, and end up losing to a pair. this happens to me a lot. missed draws kill me heads up.

[copernicus 0]

good point about the aces. I need to pay more attention to possition short stacked, too.you know what I think the biggest difference has been between winning and losing the last couple months? heads-up play. I'm not winning heads up like I used to. And it only takes a couple 2nds that used to be 1sts to turn profit into debt.i think i've been too aggressive HU. Is that possible? I'll plunk a lot of small pots because I'm always betting. Then I'll hit an open ended straight draw, bet, and end up losing to a pair. this happens to me a lot. missed draws kill me heads up.

HU most hands are won on the flop. unless your opponent is very passive you dont have the odds to hit a straight or flush draw that doesnt also have other outs. If you do find a passive opponent then you can blind him to death and there is no need to play drawing hands past the flop.