About checking out the small stack

ITM with stacks:
SB 3700
BB 10500
UTG 800

SB posts 100 :Kh::Th:
BB posts 200
UTG bets 800 all in
SB calls 700
BB calls 600

Flop
:Ts::As:

SB checks
BB

Questions:
As the SB, should you have bet instead of checking
As the BB. Do you bet or check it down

I don't bet into a dry side pot, unless I am sure I have the AI player beat. I can't be sure of that here, so it's check down time...

SB - flop I check for sure, if I still have second pair on turn I probably push.

BB - I would lead flop assuming I am confident SB would bet the A. UTG winning the pot is not terrible, you can abuse them both. But if SB wins pot it's a horse race.

I must say that for me it would be logical to just check this out as both SB and BB to get rid of UTG and go HU next hand. It would be hard for SB to call if BB bets though, but why should BB like to keep UTG at the table at this point?

Both players check it down to increase the probability of eliminating UTG

it's easier to beat two 3-4k stacks than one 6-7k stack IMO.

SB needs this pot, I'm not giving a free card on the turn.

Originally Posted by drmcboy

it's easier to beat two 3-4k stacks than one 6-7k stack IMO.

SB needs this pot, I'm not giving a free card on the turn.

Worst case is that SB takes the pot and reach 5300 against your 9700.
I'll go for that i think, instead of SB 2900 and UTG 2400. If one of them double up against you in the next hands you might get into trouble. Also they might still knock each other out and you will not be better off then.
Also if you bet your middle pair and SB moves all in with an A he will be in even better shape. No, I still go for the check mate here.

Checking it down is overrated. If I have a good but vulnerable hand I like to bet it anyway to give myself the best chance of winning the pot.

Originally Posted by mcatdog

Checking it down is overrated. If I have a good but vulnerable hand I like to bet it anyway to give myself the best chance of winning the pot.

So you push from SB here?

Probably not. Second pair on an ace high board isn't a good hand against two other players. I'd check and see what happens, most players won't bet without an ace. If he checks and the turn is a blank, I'd probably push.

Your strategy is great to guarantee second, and minimize your chance at first. If that's what you want, OK.

You example is a bit one sided. If the SB at 5300 doubles off you, you're in a lot more trouble than if he doubles from 2900. I don't see where that comes into it. Doubling people up will always suck.

What you're missing is your leverage is much better against two lower stacks, because they will probably play just as scared as you are hoping for second.

Man up.

Originally Posted by drmcboy

Your strategy is great to guarantee second, and minimize your chance at first. If that's what you want, OK.

You example is a bit one sided. If the SB at 5300 doubles off you, you're in a lot more trouble than if he doubles from 2900. I don't see where that comes into it. Doubling people up will always suck.

What you're missing is your leverage is much better against two lower stacks, because they will probably play just as scared as you are hoping for second.

Man up.

Well, good point, I can see that small stack might be scared. I think in general I prefer playing against one other hand with a 5300 stack than two hands that both might push at any moment. Going into HU with 2/3 of the chips I tend to be happy with the situation, but I might be wrong. Maybe aggression all the way is better here and maybe I should have pushed back with my KT when the BB bet, to go for 1'st or 3'rd. I appreciate the advice and will probably try it out to see what works better. I am not sure now and have to try some more before I decide what is better

I must also admit that for the last 12 SnGs prior to this one I had placed 3'rd 6 times and was pretty tired of 3'rds. I was also HU on another table at the time and these factors might have clouded my judgement a bit

the funny thing is, the more you're playing with Gator and Chris up there, the more aggresive you should be.

the more you're playing with me and Mcat, the more you should let us donk off our chips to you!

Originally Posted by drmcboy

the funny thing is, the more you're playing with Gator and Chris up there, the more aggresive you should be.

the more you're playing with me and Mcat, the more you should let us donk off our chips to you!

I'll remember that.