Early in a MTT (no antes), in middle position you have K10. Action folds to you and you make a standard raise of 2.5BB. Action folds around to the button, who has a semi-short stack, but still 25BB, who shoves. The call is about 25% of your stack (you have 100BB).

The call here (22.5 BB into a pot that is 29BB) is probably not +EV most of the time, and you can easily give up your 2.5BB and fold.

But, what factors -- what attributes of villian -- would make you come to the conclusion that a call is a good play here?

Rebuy maniacs who have a history of playing very aggressive in the early levels and want a starting stack to build from.

KThh is probably just barely ahead of their range, though.

Tilt or God telling me to directly

If you are the largest stack and the second largest stack is 60BBs. Then this would enter into an advanced concept of block theory or the "Gigabet Dilemma." You can take a slightly negative cEV spot as the positive expectation later will be greater if you have a full block of chips over your nearest competitor.

It comes down to this question: will having the dominating stack if you win provide enough value later to compensate for the value risked currently?

On top of the factors noted above, I may also consider slightly -EV, gambly plays in general (including calls) in fields where I think I'm a significant underdog.

If I feel stubborn and am tired of my opens getting played back at. Probably not calling with KTs, but will make a note of it. This situation doesn't hurt you but good players will remember.

As stated above, if I suspect this is a rebuy maniac move, I will call.

Fold is right play. 100% of the time if you think your table might break.

If the table has no danger of breaking, I call for image play.

The rest of the monkey's will be less likely to play back at you after making a call like that.

I don't believe you can be that far behind that an image play for a quarter of your stack that has to be tabled, can't be profitable when you factor in the times you are ahead and win, behind and win, ahead and lose and future equity knowing when you are played back at they have something.

If your table is observant, they realize you raise with reasonable holdings and will defend those. Have to be a very observant player that doesn't know you that realizes you made that move against a moron for future image.

Interesting observation from Pokerchris -- take that to the next step: what do you do and say in that spot to realize maximum effect at the table when you decide to make that hero call? If you are setting up a later spot for the guys around the table, how to you emphasize it?

If I win with a worse hand, I giggle and say, "Feeling lucky today!" If I win with a better hand, I mention I had a tell on the bugger as he walks away. If I lose with a better hand, shrug my shoulders, smile and say, "See you next hand, I guess!" If I lose with a worse hand, say, "Oops" and smile as I much my hand. Those would be my typical reactions.

Depending on the people at the table and my mood, I may make a bigger scene or do say nothing at all.

I ideally if I make this call, I am now able to fold when someone three bets me, which should allow me to open pots more liberally, as I won't be getting three bet with air very often.

Please note, it is the combination of the equity of the hand (gotta be at least 40% here over a 1,000 hand sample with the exact same dynamic) , stack sizes and the image it may impart on observant opponents that makes calling a -EV situation okay and long term + Ev.