I play Sit & Go online poker a lot and frequently I get these absolute tools whose strategy is to go all in before the flop on every hand. Since it's statistically more likely to lose a hand, accepting these challenges is a poor choice, even with AA etc, so unless some brave soul risks it all on their preflop hand, they will inevitably steal the antes the majority of the time and bleed me out. And I can't just go to a different table because it's sit & go. It's so angering that these scumbags have a winning strategy simply by destroying the whole spirit of the game. Has anyone found a good way to deal with these morons that doesn't involve putting it all on the line in the hopes that even if I have like 80% on the first four cards that I don't get destroyed on the river (which happens weirdly often). Any insight how to deal with these gamewreckers is appreciated. Thanks.
There is no "spirit of the game", when it comes to strategies. There are different strategies. If we want to play +EV poker (make profit in the long run), we have to figure out the best strategy versus our opponents strategies.
If opponent goes all-in on every hand, and you are afraid to call even with AA, his strategy is beating your strategy. Can't blame opponent for finding a winning strategy versus yours?
In poker you can't avoid variance. As long as opponent has any outs, he will win the hand from time to time. When someone is all-in on every hand, you just have to figure out how much variance you are willing to accept, and on the other hand how long can you wait before bleeding out to too few chips. If opponent shoves any hand, you can easily check what range has over 50% versus him on Equilab.
It's impossible to say where the threshold is, should you call with 60%+ or 70%+ equity, as it depends also on the SNG format. How many players, how fast it is, stack sizes etc. The biggest thing is to get rid of the idea that opponents are playing somehow wrong and it's their fault that you don't win. It is their strategy, and they have the right to play it. Your job is to figure out good counter strategy.
I'm not saying that I am afraid to call with AA, I'm saying that even the best preflop hand is still only one pair and it is easily beaten if you're not lucky enough to triple up on the table. In the long run these aren't good odds.
I did look at Equilab but I don't seem fast enough input all the info in the handful of seconds I have per turn.
Here's a different question. What would *you* do in this scenario?
Would you say that using a calculator is the only way to defeat this "strategy"? The concept of ranges and how to divine what cards an opponent has is very confusing to me.
Thanks for your response.
Well, winning poker is all about math and numbers. The key is to make the calculations and plans before hitting the tables. AA vs random hand is 85% favorite. Versus 2 random hands it's 73% to triple up. I would be really happy to get those odds.
I don't play Holdem and I am not good in SNG math for ICM etc. But really simple strategy is to call all-in with range that has about 65% or more versus random hand, if opponent is going all-in with any two cards. Holdem players can give more accurate answer, but something like calling with these can't go that wrong:
AT+ (AT, AJ, AQ and AK)
77+ (77 or higher pair)
Any suited broadway cards
The harder part is that you don't really know if opponent is going all-in with any 2 cards. Even if he shoves the first hands with random cards and gets called, if he doubles or triples it might be that he starts to play more tighter from that point on.
It depends how many BB they push. like when it's 25BB stacks and you have 44, it's a nice tendency to fold or something...
I play micro SnG's and I frequently bump into this scenario.
I've seen open shoves from all levels of blinds from 75bb to 25ish.
I've seen a range of hands shown, from 9s all the way up to AA and everything in between.
Unless I'm holding QQ+ or AK I just fold and congratulate them on burning their equity as the table folds around.
For what it is worth, my take on it is it a casual player who doesn't want to get outflopped so shoves AI and doesn't have to make decisions postflop.
All in idiot here. If you can't beat them, join them. We follow this strategy:
No, seriously, I some times shove the very first hand with KK+ in a PKO, chances are some people may want to gamble for that precious booty.
Back in the days when 180s were very popular and didn't even start with antes I remember once I open shoved KK+ the first hand, everyone folded. Then I got KK+ the next hand and shoved again and doubled or tripled up. Obviously it's a mistake to get only 30 chips with a premium hand, but if you do, it would be a mistake to not capitalize on your image if you are so lucky to get premiums back to back.
How to battle them - be observant and write notes. Chances are you are not calling nearly enough against an optimal shoving range to begin with. Going back to the 180s, I used to shove blindly like 15bb from the CO and it was +EV. Not anymore, of course, people tend to be calling a bit wider nowadays, as they should, and they are more observant, at least on pokerstars. It has to do with the player pool getting gobbled up by GGPoker. Smaller player pools means you run into the same regs more often.
My best advice is try switching to MTSnGs and MTTs. The tourney fees are lower than STTs, the player pool is weaker and it's less of a mistake to call people wider. And if you still have troubles with similar players, sooner or later someone will knock them out or they will switch their or your table. Even spins are probably better than SSTs but don't quote me on that 
Originally posted by SDK1987
Must be a really old youtube video.
Let's see — Windows 7, so yeah, really old video. I almost thought that this was a joke.
For really funny videos though, check out "water boat"
That's old as well and really bad play of hero 
Even back in the day this is bad strategy. Bet sizing and limping is bad.
The AK and AQ fold pre-flop is really bad as well. Would be a shove.
Originally posted by SDK1987
That's old as well and really bad play of hero
Even back in the day this is bad strategy. Bet sizing and limping is bad.
The AK and AQ fold pre-flop is really bad as well. Would be a shove.
yes — these videos by Water Boat are meant to be taken as jokes — at least I've always taken them that way.
During limited time, and no Windows user, I am mostly playing mobile Spin & Go since Sit & Go is not really available in GG and KK. For this I recently followed the beginner strategy ( <= $1 ) starting hand charts from here about going All-In or Fold.
Finally I adjusted my game back to a less aggressive way and will use above strategy only against such players, who are constantly going all in. It is sometimes annoying when you always have to fold, because of a bad hand you know not good enough to call but yesterday for example it worked quite well, grilling them with folding (they probably want to get it done quick) and stabbing them in the right moment with a good hand.
Best one was this nut job yesterday, even it was only allin on the river.
Nice hand sir and I would most likely shved pre-flop with K2s for 9,6bb effective If I see it right.
Hi wickus,
I am sorry I can't DM you so I do it here.
From what I saw, you live in Mauritius. I am planning to move to Mauritius 1 year to play full time spin.
I read every where that you can play on .com but apparently not on Unibet.
So what are the rooms that we can play from Mauritius ? PokerStars ?
Thanks
I only play KK and GG here. Pokerstars I haven't used a long time (old account I cannot track here) and but basically it seems to be easy to play here. Before covid a pro american player was here I guess he is normally on Pokerstars.
Unibet bailed out when the country here was on the european blacklist in financial matters. Maybe it is possible to play now again.
Used to play 888 but this got messed up when I tried to play in Germany 2021. Betonline also worked here but their payout possibilities suck.
Apart from this living here is not that cheap. Mobile internet is ok compared to Europe about 6€ for unlimited monthly internet. Unlimited means, unlimited speed up to 1GB per day, over this speed is lowered.
Dealing with aggressive all-in players in Sit & Go can be super frustrating, I feel you on that. One thing I've found helpful is tightening up my starting hand range and only playing really strong hands against them. They thrive on getting you to call with marginal hands, so staying patient and waiting for good spots can really throw them off.
Finishing the maniac
Just had this 33BB allin maniac HU vs me. After5 or 6 of his allins - chop chop:
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 10/20 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB: 690 (35 bb)
BB (Hero): 210 (11 bb)
Pre-Flop: (30) Hero is BB with K♣ K♥
SB raises to 290, Hero calls 190 (all-in)
Flop: (420) 2♦ A♠ 2♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (420) 2♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (420) 3♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 420
Showdown:
SB shows 6♥ J♦ (three of a kind, Twos)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 12%, Flop: 1%, Turn: 5%, River: 0%)
BB (Hero) shows K♣ K♥ (a full house, Twos full of Kings)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 88%, Flop: 99%, Turn: 95%, River: 100%)
BB (Hero) wins 420
Rest was finished quickly
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 15/30 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB (Hero): 780 (26 bb)
BB: 120 (4 bb)
Pre-Flop: (45) Hero is SB with K♠ 4♠
Hero raises to 780 (all-in), BB calls 90 (all-in)
Flop: (240) K♣ 6♣ J♣ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Turn: (240) Q♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
River: (240) J♠ (2 players, 2 all-in)
Total pot: 240
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows K♠ 4♠ (two pair, Kings and Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 60%, Flop: 61%, Turn: 73%, River: 100%)
BB shows 9♣ 5♠ (a pair of Jacks)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 40%, Flop: 39%, Turn: 27%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) wins 240
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 15/30 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB: 120 (4 bb)
BB (Hero): 780 (26 bb)
Pre-Flop: (45) Hero is BB with K♣ 4♦
SB raises to 120 (all-in), Hero calls 90
Flop: (240) T♦ 6♠ 8♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (240) 3♣ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (240) A♥ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 240
Showdown:
SB shows K♥ 5♣ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 56%, Flop: 51%, Turn: 55%, River: 50%)
BB (Hero) shows K♣ 4♦ (high card, Ace)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 44%, Flop: 49%, Turn: 45%, River: 50%)
SB wins 120
BB (Hero) wins 120
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 15/30 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB (Hero): 390 (13 bb)
BB: 510 (17 bb)
Pre-Flop: (45) Hero is SB with T♣ Q♦
Hero raises to 390 (all-in), BB calls 360
Flop: (780) T♦ A♦ 9♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Turn: (780) 7♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
River: (780) A♠ (2 players, 1 all-in)
Total pot: 780
Showdown:
SB (Hero) shows T♣ Q♦ (two pair, Aces and Tens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 61%, Flop: 70%, Turn: 70%, River: 100%)
BB shows 8♣ 7♣ (two pair, Aces and Sevens)
(Equity - Pre-Flop: 39%, Flop: 30%, Turn: 30%, River: 0%)
SB (Hero) wins 780
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 10/20 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB: 490 (25 bb)
BB (Hero): 410 (21 bb)
Pre-Flop: (30) Hero is BB with 5♦ J♥
SB raises to 490 (all-in), BB (Hero) folds
Total pot: 40
SB wins 40
GGPoker, Hold'em No Limit - 10/20 - 2 players
Replay this hand on CardsChat
SB (Hero): 420 (21 bb)
BB: 480 (24 bb)
Pre-Flop: (30) Hero is SB with 7♦ 4♣
SB (Hero) folds, 51bfe95d has died of dysentery
Total pot: 20
BB wins 20
I seem to remember Gus Hansen using this "all in preflop every hand" strategy to his advantage in a made for TV poker competition. (I want to say Premier League but not sure if that was the title - it was a few years ago). It was something where he used the opponents desire to not lose against his need to win and just shoved every hand for, (I think), 23 hands consecutively - not 100% sure on the number there but it was quite a few.
This is a valid strategy and I have seen it used live by a few players in free to play tournies where they had no fear of losing and used that against other players desire to win. It usually continues until somebody finds a hand to call with and then they are crippled.