Just a bit of background to this situation, is that I am at the final table in 3rd place in chips. Stacks are not too deep with 7 for the 9 between 13 and 20 BBs. There is only one stack below 10 BBs, with a 7 BB stack.
I felt a bit of pressure at this final table, at top prize is $1K, and 9th place pays only $90. I had a memorable blunder about a year ago where I was playing for over $1K at a final table and I ended up calling off on a jam with AQo to a LAG chip leader. I was 3rd out of 7 at the time. LAG player had AKo, and I busted. I totally regretted missing out on a decent amount of money there. I am always looking for a chance to redeem myself from that, and anytime I can make a final table that pays $1K that is nice, but it isn't common. My current buy ins right now are between $3 and $17.
As far as the hand in question, it is folded around to the button, where he jams 13BBs. His steal stats seem fairly LAG, as he is around 44% to steal. His VPIP and PFR stats are 25%/20%. At this point I have A9o, with a 19BB stack.
It was a tough spot and I only had enough time to think about a few things. His stack of 13BBs is second lowest on the table, above the 7 BB stack. I realized that if I call and lose, I'd basically be tied for last on the table in chips. With a 3rd place stack, that would be quite crushing for my ego. The stacks were fairly close together, so its not like my 3rd place stack guarantees a top 3 placing.
Had I won, I would have been 2nd in chips on the table. I didn't have time to realize that part though. It also got in my mind those situations where I make the correct call with the better hand, and I still lose. In the end I folded, and this hand was the biggest question mark for me on the day.
What do you guys think about this spot? What are the main things I should be considering? With online poker, there is just the time limit that affects decision making, not to mention other tables being played as well. I just want to be able to prioritize and focus on the key things when making this call/fold spot.
Ofcourse the main things would be pot odds, as well as ICM. The pot odds on the call would have been calling 121K to win 158K, or approx 1.3 to 1. I would have needed 43.4% equity here based on that. As far as the prize pay outs, they were as follows:
1- 1000
2- 725
3- 525
4- 380
5- 280
6- 200
7- 150
8- 110
9- 90
In hindsight, I wish I called. I think the thought of losing that hand and going out 9th stopped me from pulling the trigger. But let me know what you guys think, because I still can't tell whether this play was a big mistake, small mistake, close situation, not close situation, or the correct play. Thanks!
PokerStars - 5000/10000 Ante 1250 NL - Holdem - 9 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4
CO: 48.55 BB
BTN: 13.3 BB
SB: 17.79 BB
Hero (BB): 19.34 BB
UTG: 6.98 BB
UTG+1: 16.32 BB
MP: 30.78 BB
MP+1: 15.99 BB
MP+2: 16.45 BB
9 players post ante of 0.13 BB, SB posts SB 0.5 BB, Hero posts BB 1 BB
Pre Flop: (pot: 2.62 BB) Hero has 9
A
fold,
fold,
fold,
fold,
fold,
fold,
BTN raises to 13.17 BB and is all-in,
fold,
fold
BTN wins 3.62 BB