I see (and even sometime make) bad plays in SnG's, sometimes maddeningly so. I'd like to start a list of some and see what people think about them. I'm not sure of my interpretations, so this could be a good learning thread for me.
Why did they make this play.
How do we exploit it, or avoid it.
A. Betting/raising too much preflop (including out of position.)
Why:
1. The player has a big hand like QQ and doesn't want to face any opposition
2. The player has a medium hand and wants to represent a better hand after the flop while minimizing opponents
How:
1. avoid the raiser with medium hands even in position on them, and of course raise with better hands. If we see that it's case 2, we can loosen up our 3bet range?
B: Refusing to take out the small stack when they are big stack - playing tight with big stack at the bubble.
Why:
1. The player is selfish and thinks that if they just keep folding (even with moderately big blinds) they will make the money for sure, and probably 1st with their lead.
2. They don't mind losing the blinds so long as the other players left are battling it out.
How:
1. Loosen up stealing range on the big stack especially if they have become a rock. If SB to the big stack BB, any two cards is a steal.
2. Comment in the chat - 'thanks for the help buddy'
C: Limping in from early position with a big hand like AA (I see this all the time)
Why:
1. The player thinks they are tricky and aren't satisfied with just taking the blinds down. They want a call and some play.
How:
1. Take the freeplay or call with a pocket or decent hand, and play check/fold unless you make a hand that beats an overpair
2. Know the betting pattern of your opponent - esp first in, and if it's different this time with the limp, suspect this play also.
D: donkbetting in a multiway pot.
Why:
1. The player wants to get value from a decent hand (TPTK) and is not afraid or aware of any draws or better hands.
2. The player thinks that no one hit anything and can steal the pot with a donkbet and also reduce the number of opponents to bluff in later rounds.
How:
1. 3 bet with a made hand, call with odds to a draw, or try to stick around cheaply with a worse made hand - fold everything else.
