I'm using this blog as a personal effort to try and think about folding AK while deep in a big [1k+] MTT. If I'm sitting in a 45 or 180 man SNG, AK is next to AA unless there's some heavy action before it's my turn. Here are three examples as to why I need to slow down and consider my options instead of snap-shoving/calling with AK.
$2.20 NLHE MTT
Blinds: 1k/2k
9 Handed play
180ish people left
Me: 63k stack [UTG+1]
Villian: 90k stack [MP]
I remember this hand well. I was watching Die Hard on Spike while playing this tourny. I usually play 3-4 tables when I get deep in a tourny where I feel I have a decent shot at getting really, really, deep. Play has been relatively wild so I was just sitting in the grass waiting for my hand to double up from one of the donks. I open for 5,499....
Villian snap shoves his stack of 90k. Folded to the SB [super spewy player] that shoves his remaining 12k into the pot. What did I do? Did I consider the range of hands Villian could have? What is his image? Has he opened any pots in the past orbits? Were there any timing tells [I know, I know, this is a fuckin $2.20 MTT. I figure it still applies even in these micro MTTs]? NOPE, I DIDN'T CONSIDER SHIT. I snapped.
To no surprise, The SB has the hot ass J8o. Villian has the awesome KK. Beautiful, I only have 3 outs. I wasn't quite optimistic to be honest.
Board - JQ993. GG Merry Xmas to a major cash of 10 bucks. 1st was $1500 btw.
$2.20 6-max MTT
90 players left
Blinds: 1250k/2500k
Me: 80k stack [UTG]
Villian: 82k stack [BUTTON]
This is one of those crackhead sessions I had. I think it was Monday and it was around 2:30am. Yeah, pretty damn late. I play for first and I stayed awake trying to scoop that $800-$900 first prize. I don't really remember. Anyway, this is how the action went down. I do my standard open to 6299k. Fold, fold, Villian SNAPS. When I say snap, i mean SNAP! Dude basically telegraphed PAIR PAIR PAIR PAIR PAIR with that type of action. Did I think about anything? To be honest, I didn't give a shit. I was tired. It was win-win for me. I win the flip and get a fighting chance to the final table. If I lose, I can go to sleep. I call. He flips over JJ.
Board: Q3329 GGPO Another ass cash. I don't even remember what it was.
Last example.
$2.20 6-max MTT
Me: 84k [Button]
Villian: 70kish [BB]
Blinds: 1k/2k
100ish players left
This situation is pretty interesting. First off, Villian was a very, very active player. He was basically doing exactly what I was doing. The only problem he had is that his plays were -EV imo. If you call raise after raise in the SB/BB and have no plans unless you flop a pair/monster draw, you will not win in 6-max. You have to be aggressive and have the balls to bet out on uncoordinated flops to win chips. That's how I feel. Pretty standard play overall. I open to 5139k and get the monster 70kish shove. I snap. JJ! Are you fuckin serious? Bleh! Board bricks and I am out.
Here are my thoughts in hindsight of my calls. First off, I know that I need to learn a lot more before I begin to destroy all tournys. I believe in myself and I figure everybody has to start from somewhere before greatness ensues. These micro tournys with big returns are the best IMO. As long as I admit to my mistakes and continue learning, I'll be that dude soon enough.
In the AK vs KK hand, I was 100% gambling. As I stated earlier, I didn't think of the range of hands he would be snap shoving with. I mean, honestly, that was a pretty big shove. He wasn't playing any hands and snap shoved after I opened. That's pretty strong. I could have easily folded and picked another spot to accumulate chips. The fields in these micro tournys are super soft so I ALWAYS have a chance in my mind. This was definitely a spot where I should have mucked. The SB shoving is no surprise but it's another 2 cards I have to fight against to win the pot. AK is a drawing hand. I agree with this statement. In hindsight, Villian is shoving with JJ+, AQ[maybe], AK suited, and that's about it. I am flipping more often than not but I am usually dominated.
The 6-max AK vs JJ hands are unique situations for me. I am still learning how to play 6-max when there are <100>BUT, this is still a tournament. Tournaments are also about survival. In tournaments, I need to actually use my time bank and consider folding. I NEVER think about folding when I have AK. The effective stack sizes are damn near close in each situation. I dunno...I personally think I will get better if I fold during these situations and pick another spot to double.
I have to remind myself that I can always come back and win tournaments with short ass stacks. That's all I have to say. I am confident that I will take a 6-max tournament down soon.
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