1100$ buy in, 1500 people. After 3 days of play there is 14 people left, pay jump at 13th, 14,000$-18,000$. First place is 250,000$.
Blinds at 12,500-25,000 5000ante. Was just transferred to a new table.
Hero 350,000
Villain 1,000,000
Hero KQo
Folds around to the small blind who shoves, no reads because I was just transferred

Call

Snap call, easiest call in the world here. I would happily call off with a hand like K8o here, not to mention KQ. If you're folding KQ here Villian can print money by shoving 72o.

Easiest call of my life

I did snap call, was my first major event, I play 2/5 cash games and don't really play tournaments. This settles an argument I was having with a friend who said I had plenty of time and should fold, he's the type who thinks it was a bad call because I lost haha. Villain had A5 and the bored ran out AA5.

The fact that this was a major spot for you doesn't change the trivially easy nature of this call. The only minor caveat I'd note is that you have no reads on villain. It might be worth folding here on K8 or other more marginal hands to see if you can start getting some insight as to how the SB plays. But KQ is so high up in your range that you really can't let it go here.

Yeah I wasn't putting "this is my first major tournament" because it was a factor in my decision, I was more referring to that as I am not a very experienced tournament player. As I said, I snap called, but was told by a friend that it was a bad decision even tho I was sure it was not.

Not sure if it is a snap call. I'm more of a cash game player but from an ICM perspective is KQ definitely worth risking your tournament life? I 100% agree its a shove from basically anywhere on the table but calling vs even the top 73% of his range we are only a 60/40 favorite.

I think we need more info on the other stacks in the field and a basic ICM analysis, but don't think its clear cut.

ICM affects us much less here because we are one of the shortest stacks left in the tournament (14BB). Also ICM doesn't matter as much until the final table, since he pay jumps from 14th until the final table are not very significant compared to the money that is on top. In order to make the final table/deep run we are need to going to need to accumulate chips and you can't pass on huge edges like in this spot. If we are a "60/40" favorite that is a gigantic edge especially considering the dead money in the pot so we only need around 45% equity. Being 60/40 and only needing 45% equity means this is a 33% edge here, which is amazing considering we have <15BB. You are not gonna get a better spot than this.

Now if this was the final table with 6 people left and there were 2 stacks who had <5BB and we were still 4th in chips? Then it gets really close and probably a fold depending on the pay jumps. But here ICM isn't that significant a factor.

This is a fist pump call with your stack size blind vs blind.

Seems like a clear call sir, GG

There are definitely opponents who shove so tightly that this is a fold, particularly in live tournaments, but vs anyone competent you have a super obvious call.

Unlucky, but pretty standard spot/call imo.


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I am assuming your mission was to win and the extra 4k didn't mean all that much to you.

That being said, I don't think this is a snap call man, b/c I would have viewed you like this (this dude just sat down, he is going to think I am making a move here w/ATC and call me wide, so I am getting so much equity with my Ax in this spot by shoving)

I feel like a lot of people on here do not think about what the "villains" are thinking about. 1500 players, the villain likely (just as our hero) did NOT donk his way to final 2 tables.

Is V (or 2+2 community for that matter) saying its +EV/cEV to shove ATC for 1/3 of their stack vs a newly seated player SB vs BB ?

That said, I am shoving vs you w/any Ax looking for a call.

VS. an Optimal Shoving Range - Standard call, although I really hate these K high --

Since so much of his shoving range consist of random Aces. I know most players aren't shoving such a tight range - but being new to the table w/no reads and next level payjump -- Say if he's shoving tighter vs. an unknown shorter stack (yes doubtful) -- We're actually a slight dog to a shoving range of something like --- Ax+, 22+, K7+, K2s+, Q9+, Q5s+, JT+, J8s+, 76s+, 86s+ which I don't think is exceptionally unreasonably loose.

A standard calling range here though includes K2o/s+

Agreed though, have to call here, but might throw away some lower range Kx until I get more comfortable with table dynamics and player tendencies while moving up ICM.

Kind of agree with this... Just his range in this spot feels so Ax heavy. ..

Not ATC, but its profitable to shove a lot of hands that KQo dominates.