Medium stack mid-stage SNG play

[bridgey321]

Ok this sort of situation is one that I struggle to find a good/solid play for:

$5/27. 16-18 left. 8/9 handed on our table.
Blinds 100/200 (no antes)
Hero Stack = 2600
Stack sizes on table range from 1800-4000 so everyone is pretty even.
We are in MP with
Now options:
a) Fold
b) Raise to 3xbb.
c) All in

a) Fold

I dont really think this is an option, 99 is a pretty big hand.

b) Raise to 3xbb

Ok so assuming the table is real nitty we will probably get a call roughly 1/3rd of the time (bit of a vague estimate) When this happens what do we do in terms of continuation betting? The pot will be at 1300-1500 (assuming 1 caller) and we have 2000 remaining, can we really make a bet then fold? If we bet like 800 (decent sized bet for the pot) then we only have 6bbs. I don't think we can fold after this. Can we bet like 500 (looks really weak) then fold. Do we just ship it in knowing that if we do get called we're probably behind (obv depending on board texture etc)

Also how do we react if unknown 3 bet ships? Call/fold. We still have 10bbs but 99 is quite strong.

c) All in

Now with the even(ish) stack sizes I think if we move all in we are only going to get called by overpairs or AK/AQ. And we are risking 2600 to win 300, now obviously we are going to take this down pre most of the time with this tactic but we still have 13bbs and a roughly average stack. Is it worth this risk?


Thoughts? Thanks

[UoLtom]

This is the kind of spot that i really hate, i wouldn't fold 9s unless a nitty player acting before me raises maybe, i would normally raise to 3BBs here and see what the flop brings, if i got 3 betted, think about it and probably fold. Would never shove 9s pre, only getting called by AK/AQ or better pocket pair, not worth the risk at the stage.

[Gerrard48LFC]

raise to 2.5bb?

[JD3lta]

The board isn't always kings and aces. Raising pre also hurts when you back off. I'd play tighter more often, rarely I'd play it aggressive. It's a good hand to have, I'd force off a board of 457. In the long run I would play it tighter. I'd min raise a continuation bet through the board. I wouldn't check. Anything other than the impression you hit the flop I wouldn't do. Raising pre makes you look bluffy and someone might try to ship it right away.

[aamir6433]

With 10-15bb's here you should really look to play hands you're comfortable getting all in with. It is a pretty unflexible stack. I don't see any harm in folding 99 here if there's action before you. If you're first in the pot 3xbb then pick your spot to c-bet or not. To a 3-bet pre, i think if you're going to play this hand with 13bb's you should be prepared to get it in.

[The Incompetent-Donkey]

all-in, you can handle a race but you don't want to raise/fold and raise/call seems to suck. I think my range would 88+, AJs+, AKo.

[bizkit]

Shove is a good default but keep in mind this is towards the bottom of your shoving range.

If you're paying a bit more attention and can evaluate all the stacks behind you then:

I may raise to 2-2.5x. Some of the basic factors to consider:
-How many stacks behind me make it difficult for me to fire a credible cbet with this raise?
-How many players are likely to call and attempt some aggressive floats or bluff raise my cbet with position if we end up heads up?
-How are the blinds likely to react to this raise?
-Are there any aggressive restealers behind me?

The more favorable the situation the more likely I am to make the small raise instead of the all in.