I recently came across an interesting hand at the final table of a $3,000 buy-in tournament that clearly demonstrates how to use a big stack to put pressure on your opponents. This hand also illustrates why it’s important for mid-stacks to avoid big pots against the chip leader when there are short stacks at the table.
Final Table Stacks
Hijack: 50bb
Cutoff: 15bb
Button: 80bb
Small Blind: 20bb
Big Blind: 30bb
The player in the hijack position, one of the strongest players in the world, raised to 2 big blinds from his 50bb stack with A-Qo.
A-Qo is a great hand to raise in standard situations. Folding it out of fear of aggression from a big stack or an all-in from a short stack (which A-Q should call) would be too weak.
The cutoff folded, and the aggressive chip leader on the button three-bet to 7 big blinds with K♥ 5♥.
This is a perfect time to three-bet with a wide range, including bluffs, because the initial raiser needs to avoid busting before the short stacks. As a big stack, you should actively pressure the middle stacks, who have an additional incentive to stay put due to the payout structure.
The best hands for three-betting as a bluff are those that aren’t strong enough to call, but also contain a blocker on an ace, king, or queen. Blockers reduce the likelihood of your opponent having a premium hand.
K-5s is far from the best hand to call, but it’s a great bluffing option given the stack structure.
Everyone folded to the initial raiser, who thought better of it and folded.
At first, this fold seemed too tight to me, but after analyzing it with an ICM calculator, it turned out to be justified.
If the hijack calls, the pot will be around 16 big blinds, leaving the players with 43 big blinds each. If the chip leader makes reasonable bets on the flop, turn, and river, all the chips will be in the middle.
Even if an ace or queen comes on the flop, a player with A-Q can’t be sure that their hand is the best, as they can easily lose to a premium hand.
The hijack can 4-bet as a bluff (or 4-bet with A-A and A-Ks for value), but in this situation, it’s not necessary, especially when the short stacks are still at risk of busting. Sometimes, it’s wiser to play it safe and move up in payouts.
The bottom line is this:
If you’re the chip leader at the final table, try to put as much pressure on the middle stacks as possible in the right situations. If you’re the middle stack, avoid big pots, as post-flop play will be very difficult for you, and your decisions will be very difficult. Good luck and good luck making the right decisions at the tables! 🙂