Bad Position, Decent Cards by Howard Lederer

Here is an article of Howard Lederer, "Teacher," about how to play marginal hands in later stages of a tournament out of position. In the middle stage and final tournaments there are often times where you're forced to have to commit to a relatively weak hand. These are uncomfortable situations because I never want to risk a large percentage of your chips with a mediocre hand. Things get even more complicated when you're playing from the blinds or out of position. For example, imagine you're playing at a later stage of the tournament. The blinds and antes are 500/1.000 100. You're in the blind péquela with 18,000 points. Everyone folded around to the button, an aggressive player who often I raised in late position. Stack has 30,000 points and climb to 3,500. You look at your cards and see Ad 9s. A9o know that is not a great hand, but you can not ignore this situation. First game as your opponent, which can be roots with a hand that is much worse than yours. In fact, in this situation might be playing with rags. Another consideration is that there are plenty of chips in play.

Among the blinds, antes and raise your rival, would you take more than 5,000 points if you can take the pot, being a very estimable for your short stack.

So you probably want to play the hand. But what is the best voice? From first call may seem that the action is reasonable, because you do not compromise at all with this marginal hand. But to call it has some major drawbacks. With a hand like A9 probably will not get anything on the flop. In fact, you will not get even a couple about 2 of every 3 times. And if you get a pair of nines, how will you proceed if the flop brings a overcard? Even on a flop with an ace you have difficulty thinking if your hand is good. Moreover, if the flop does not serve you anything, leaves you in a vulnerable situation for you to throw together. It will be very difficult to bet if the flop comes with three letters that do not help. If you check, your opponent will likely make a continuation bet and will get you a lot of pressure to continue, although perhaps your high card Ace is still good. In situations like this, your voice is improved pressure while you can before the flop. Make re-raise all-in pre-flop. Your opponent may not hand you have to call and, if so, you still have a lot of outs.

You have about a 25% chance against AK, for example. Not good, but you're not dead. The important thing you should keep in mind is that, in later stages of a tournament, do not want to take many decisions after the flop when you have an average hand and an Ace with a kicker means or a middle pocket pair are playing out of position. Slip all-in when you think you're going to get value from them and expect the best. If you do not play in these marginal situations good but you regret it later when your stack is lowered further. Source: The Hendon Mob