Hi, new here and pretty new to tournaments, so forgive me if this is stupid.

Situation: $3.30 MTT, ITM, but about 220 players left, so no big pay jumps anytime soon.

Hero has 22 BB. Villain has 130 BB. Brand new table.

Villain [UTG+1]: Raises to 2BB
Hero [BTN]: Calls with KsQs

Flop: Js9s2d

Villain bets 1/2 pot
Hero shoves all-in

Did I do right here? Or was I wrong to jeopardize my tournament life on a draw, even a big draw like this? I'm sure this is a shove in a cash game, but not sure about tournament strategy.

Thanks for any help.

I put the results in a spoiler in case people prefer to answer without seeing them.

This line will certainly be profitable but is it optimal? I think your strongest hands here are 22 (questionable flat pre), J9s, AJ/KJ/QJ and perhaps some cautious 99 that flatted preflop or a trapped AA/KK. None of these really want to jam the flop as you will just shut out all of villain's bluffs that may have put in chips on future streets with the initiative, and allow them to play well in a straightforward spot by calling with their strong hands and strong draws. I think perhaps it's a range flat and then reevaluate on the turn, which keeps your range containing strong hands, medium strength hands, draws and the odd float to make it harder for villain to proceed. If you do construct a jamming range, something like KK, AJ, KsQs, QsTs, Ts8s looks good.

Thank you! Is there anything particular to tournament strategy in regards to playing these kinds of draws? Like, should I tend to play draws more cautiously in general in spots like this?


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I think you did the right thing here. If you raise it has to be a jam. I think you can get some Jx to fold. Certainly any PP < JJ will most likely fold and if not you are a favorite. I doubt an overpair would fold but we block KK/QQ. I have done this vs AA and got knocked out. But I have also done this and had the original raiser fold.

The other choice is to call and see what he does on the turn. Sometimes if they miss they will check and a half pot bet will get them to fold anyway. But the bigger problem is what happens if they jam? You lose any fold equity if they are bluffing and they could be bluffing with a better hand...

Yeah I really just jammed on instinct, it wasn’t until after that I wondered if it was wrong because of the tournament situation. I’m glad to know I wasn’t out in left field.


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