So I'm reviewing a $10, 27-man SNG on Bovada a couple of days ago in which I placed fourth. The player on the cutoff this hand is the only LAG at the table, the other two are nits and I've been playing nitty as well.

Since we're down to 4 players, it's worth considering the payouts






As you can see, I'm in the BB with K9o. I opted to fold but that seems questionable given that I'm getting such good odds with 2.5:1 and my hand has ~40% equity vs. my estimation of his range which is >=30% of hands. I folded because of the ICM considerations, my short stack, and my hand not being good enough to shove.

I admittedly haven't studied much ICM so I'm not sure how tight you're supposed to be. The other short stack seems very concerned with getting the next pay jump so I'm more likely to be all in before him in the next few hands.

I read in a book co-authored by ApeStyles that he doesn't have any flat-calls under 20bbs and plays push/fold which seems horrendous to me. To me, you're allowed to have calls from the big blind up until 10-15 bbs and then it becomes questionable. What are your guys' take on that? How much does ICM effect your calling / re-shoving ranges?

I think simplifying these spots might help you a bit; in this spot, think to yourself about post-flop playability- what boards can you check/call down on? what boards can you check/jam? I think when we are a shorter stack (i.e 12-25bbs) my defending range is predicated on hands that have ease of post flop playability, most notably, can be check shoved comfortably (especially good against wide opener like you mentioned)

I think your fold here is close but undoubtedly good, and if you're suited it's now a slam dunk call (since 10% of flops will give us a FD that we can comfortably check/jam on) Good stuff, focus on that playability concept and see if it helps you parse what to defend with and what not go going fwd.