Early in a 20$ tournament what do you do?

[foolsgold]

9 player table

You are 2 from the button

you are on your starting stack 1500 blinds 15/30

you look down at AK.

UTG raises to 90, player to the right of you re raises to 300

you
fold/flat/reraise?

[Pates]

9 player table

You are 2 from the button

you are on your starting stack 1500 blinds 15/30

you look down at AK.

UTG raises to 90, player to the right of you re raises to 300

you
fold/flat/reraise?
I see myself in this situation a lot of the time. With the blinds being so small, I don't really mind a flat call here. The only problem I think with flatting is that you have the 3x BB UTG raiser just waiting to squeeze. Probably worth while sticking it in, it's early days and you need to start building. A call is ok but you have to be willing to call all in if UTG shoves.

[ROCKART]

I see myself in this situation a lot of the time. With the blinds being so small, I don't really mind a flat call here. The only problem I think with flatting is that you have the 3x BB UTG raiser just waiting to squeeze. Probably worth while sticking it in, it's early days and you need to start building. A call is ok but you have to be willing to call all in if UTG shoves.

agreed.

early in tournament = low blinds = smooth call



plus you are in position for the rest of the hand. that is worth a lot right there.

[Pates]

agreed.

early in tournament = low blinds = smooth call



plus you are in position for the rest of the hand. that is worth a lot right there.
The problem is that in this situation is that you're against JJ - AA. If you get JJ or QQ then you flop an A or K, you won't get paid. It's one of those situations that you're not going to make any chips from unless you take the gamble and shove all in. Flatting here means you will win the 390 that's in the pot unless you're against AQ and an A flops.

It's a tough one, but I think that the only wrong move is a fold.

[PokerPirate]

Flat call. Hope to hit an A/K or a draw and get it in. It's easy to come back from 1200 when you're on level 2 blinds. If UTG reshoves or any more action continues preflop, I'd probably fold.

[AcesFull]

why is fold the only wrong move here?

[Sofa King We Toddid]

why is fold the only wrong move here?
i know. i would be considering folding here. i would never of thought call is the right move?

[PokerPirate]

i know. i would be considering folding here. i would never of thought call is the right move?
In early stages of a tournament it is vital that you try to build a stack. If you don't you will fall to 10bbs and have to shove all your chips in and put your tournament life on the line to double up. This usually happens a lot if you nit it up and play tight. Even if you're 90% each time, you will have busted by the end of the tournament.

By folding here you are missing a great opportunity to build a stack. Its early days and you have to accept busting out at the beginning with premiums like AK. You dont want a 50 50 so don't shove. This is because 50 50s are worthless at early stages, i.e 1.5k into 3k = 10bbs in an hour. So just flat here and hope to make TPTK and if you don't muck it like it was 27o.

[sf2045]

By folding here you are missing a great opportunity to build a stack. Its early days and you have to accept busting out at the beginning with premiums like AK. You dont want a 50 50 so don't shove. This is because 50 50s are worthless at early stages, i.e 1.5k into 3k = 10bbs in an hour. So just flat here and hope to make TPTK and if you don't muck it like it was 27o.

Well said. I would love to just shove it because thats the only easy way to play AK lol! Flatting and seeing a missed flop always gets me in trouble with c-bets and what have you :rolleyes:

[foolsgold]

after reading this thread i think i would push. Because you will get a tricky spot is you flat call and UTG pushes or reraises. Folding to me also isnt a option its too strong a hand to fold.

[Pates]

after reading this thread i think i would push. Because you will get a tricky spot is you flat call and UTG pushes or reraises. Folding to me also isnt a option its too strong a hand to fold.
Correct. You should only be folding this hand if you know the players and have been playing with them for an hour or 2. Calling does leave the UTG a perfect opportunity to try and squeeze which will just turn you into a weak/passive calling station if you call off your stack.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a call or shove.

[Captain Truth]

I read 2 interesting articles a while ago... I've put the link in here. One is by Matt Matros (too flip or not to flip) and the other by Dan Abrams (Time to Devalue Big Slick) -I think so many of us think that we are better then we are, and listen to the "pros" tell us about how they don't want to risk chips early or play big pots, blah blah blah .... this article really puts a different spin on the "to race or not to race" question and playing these big hands early

http://www.cardplayer.com/magazine/article/15093 (flip or not to flip)
http://www.cardplayer.com/magazine/article/15141 (devalue big slick)

[Kickboy]

There are 2 mind sets you truly have here.

Fold and wait for better spots.

Or double up or start a new tourament. If you double up here this early it should be an easy cash. So it depends on your personality and what your bankroll and game selection comes to.