Should I push this or make a normal raise to 500 - 600?

Definitely raise. Going all in, i believe was a bad move, your hand strenght rank is 28th

KQs, KJs, even Q9s, all have good chances against you.

How much do you think I should raise to?

3 BB plus 1 for every other player on the pot. Keep in mind that your view on the other players in the pot is important.

It was a bad call from his part, maybe he thought you were stealing and risk.

What was your table image?

My image was pretty tight. But let`s say I raise to about 600. If both players call the pot on the flop will be 1800 and I have 2100 left. I have to bet in this situation when I miss, as I won`t hit my ace very often, so if I give up if I don`t hit an ace I shouldn`t have raised preflop. But when I bet, I`m committed. Therefore, isnt it better to go all-in preflop to maximize fold equity? (since raising to a normal amount pretty much means I`m all in anyway).

If both call you, you are probably behind, you might be dominated. Now you have a decent pot pre flop for the flush or the straight.

If you don't hit on the flop, you can leave the hand. Keep in mind you are facing two other players.

I would've raised on that spot just to steal.

That flop would make me think, well" i had two calls to my raise so they probably don't have strong hands."

On the flop i have the better hand, but there is a flush draw. I could raise to make it an error for someone with a draw to call.

But with that flop, he would've called the bet.

Again , if you were trying to steal, it was a good bet, if you wanted them to call, not so much.

Remember you should always avoid all in situations, unless you have great cards. You were second, you do not mess with the cheap leader, unless you have great cards, there is always the chance of busting.

How much do you think I should raise to?

Hmm i believe something happened to your post. Did you try to quote him?

AAndreia posted
Definitely raise. Going all in, i believe was a bad move, your hand strenght rank is 28th

KQs, KJs, even Q9s, all have good chances against you.

A raise would definitely be the worst you can do in this spot. It's push or fold stage already, the effective stacks are 10-11 BB's. It's too late for some maneuvers, like steal. Now it's ICM time. Some more things to think of:
- You raise, and get shoved - what do you do? You very well might be shoved by worse here, but are you? You have a difficult decision.
- You raise, get two callers and completely miss the flop (what will happen most of the time). Now what? You might be ahead but now you have to fold to any aggression since you have no space for bluff.
- If someone calls with KQ, QJ or even J8 type of hands - don't you want that? Yes, you're just a slight favorite, but you ARE a favorite and that's all you want in this stage of SNG. Btw, chances that original limper calls your shove are huuuge in these limits, where people are uncomfortable pushing all-in with 2 pair themselves, but they are completely ok to call your all-in with nothing. And that's what happened - he shoved and got called by worse. Nice hand

P.S. All these things doesn't apply in earlier stages of SNG, but in push or fold stage you just have to take such risks if you don't want be eaten by blinds.

But you are taking a risk. I strongly view that play as a steal. He is facing the chip leader. He just called , this must give you an idea of his hand strenght. I think the small blind would fold to a raise.


If you feel that the flop is dangerous you can still fold. You are not pot commited yet.

I agree with Biausmas, at this stage, the blinds don't allow fancy plays. On the other hand, A5s is marginal in this situation at best. He is only behind the chip leader, and like you said limpers usually call. You don't want to be in a position were you are called by the larger stack, unless you have a powerfull hand.

Indeed you are taking a risk, but that's what you just have to do at this stage of SNG You just can't afford of waiting for the premium hands, unless you're not playing for the first place...
I vote for shoving in this spot. You might be called by worse, and you still have some fold equity as well. Or if you're afraid of that guy having smth better, you can always fold. But raise/fold is just burning of your stack. You'll get called so often, you'll be involved in a multiway pot so often, and you'll completely miss the flop so often, that all these things just turns your raise into chip wasting.

I understand what you are saying but with so many players left do you really need to take chances with a hand like that.

I actually believe people will respect a raise more than a all in move. The number of players i caught with nothing, makes me say that.

But again we are all here to learn and you gave me something to think about.

But don't you play first to get to the money and then to win SNG? I allways heard you when you are in the money, you play for the first place , never for the second place. you either win or get out in third.

Bliausmas has a good point. At this time you have to take chances. On the other hand, his hand (see what i did there) isn't good enough to go all in against two callers.

Wow do you know that, do you have a chart or something?

Check this page. It's the second chart.

Cool. Thank you.

That's great find. Now i need to learn portuguese.

Ah that's the advantage of being one. Cool site. Thanks