Busting all-in bluffs from maniacs

I have recently moved into the micro SNG tourneys, and have caught myself trying to bust what I consider all-in bluffs from maniacs. The few I have had have all had really high PFR %, really loose, really aggressive. My reasoning is that they seem to just to be trying to bully people out of pots, and have taken to calling their all-ins when they seem to be just pushing with air. I have been right about 1/2, and got stacked about 1/2, so I would say I am about even.

In a SNG format, though, would I be better to let them keep doing what they are, knocking some other players out in the meantime, making me more likely to be ITM? Then maybe busting them later in the game, because I am sure that if they get away with it in early rounds, they will keep doing it later?

Any thoughts?

All-ins from big stacks or those with less than 10bb? Blind-stealing is the name of the game late in SNGs, so sometimes you just gotta live with it. But if you think he's got nothing, by all means call if you've got something decent. Always put all your chips in when you think you have the best hand.

Also, don't play for ITM. Play to win. People who play for ITM are the people I steal blinds from on the bubble.

If you have a read that players are raising/pushing aggressively then you can definitely open up your calling range. You still need a reasonable hand to call, however, as you need a stronger hand to call a raise than you do to raise yourself.

Anyway, feel free to post some specific hands in the SNG forum if you want some feedback.

Originally Posted by Aplomado

Also, don't play for ITM. Play to win. People who play for ITM are the people I steal blinds from on the bubble.

Ummm, no. Make those plays that are most +EV. Sometimes this means playing for the money, and sometimes it means playing to win.

Originally Posted by Aplomado

Also, don't play for ITM. Play to win. People who play for ITM are the people I steal blinds from on the bubble.

These are the people I get iITM because they check out while I have 800 chips left

But really, as Tai said, you have to make the most +EV decisions given the situation. I would say that early in a tournament calling an AI because you think villian has nothing ( and YOU don't have much either ) is -EV. People who go AI with a wide range are people you wait to get a hand then fleece them. Maybe in the mean time they suck out on someone else and thats one less person at the table. I love having crazy maniacs at the table. Patience is the key. Get a hand and they will pay you off.

Making money in S&G's IS the goal. Then once your in the goal is winning. Small edges against bad players for stacks should be avoided I think. Stack him when he has TPTK and you hit a set.