[Spaceman Spiff]

Hopefully everyone else likes these, I know I do. I love seeing all the different thought processes that go into a situation.

All right, here goes. We're down to 4 players and all 4 will be paid. Currently, blinds are 500-1000. Here's the table setup as best as I can remember.

UTG: shortstack - 900 left
Button: Chip leader - 15,000+
SB: 2nd chip leader - 10,000+
BB: Our hero, maybe 3,000 left after paying the BB.

UTG folds and will be all-in blind next hand. Button limps, SB limps. You look down and see:

What's the play?

Would the play be different if only 3 places paid knowing that the short stack would be all-in blind the next hand?

[DDD424]

I would check, if you hit on the flop, then I'd push, otherwise, fold to any raises.

[jojobinks]

push b/c you're likely to have the best hand.

unless the money is big (like, very big), i push even if i haven't made the money yet.

[tomb1]

Are you playing for 3rd place? If so, then wait for short stack to be out next hand. (Or if only 3 places cashed, that's the way to go.)

But wait . . . what if he gets lucky and doubles or triples up!?! Oh crap! Then you're the short stack!

Is the difference between 3rd and 4th place a life-changing amount for you? How about the difference between 2nd and 3rd place? How about your ego?

OK, cut to the chase: I push here. Are you going to get better cards (to double up or to take down an unraised pot) in the next few hands? I think not.

But why are the 2 chip leaders only limping? Do they have a history of being tricky?

[littlebu]

Unless the pay jump from 4 to 3 is really big I'm pushing this all day and twice on sunday

[Fins]

Depending on payouts... I push but I don't think taking a flop is that bad.

[gwilkx]

i have to put all my chips in here. you can't survive without picking up some chips, and this is about the best spot you can hope for at this point - first in the pot, still have 3 bets to put some minor pressure on potential callers, and statistically you are very likely to have the best hand.

even if you hit the flop, your stack is only the size of the pot, so you've put yourself in the position to get called by one of the big stacks regardless. after taking the small blind next hand, you'll have 2.5k, and will likely be compelled to put it all in pre-flop on the next hand or two with a weaker holding that you have now.

give yourself 2 ways to win the pot now, and throw 'em in. if i were the big stack, i'd probably call you, which is most often what you want if your hand figures to be the best. if you get beat by JT, so be it . . .

of course, if the difference between 4th and 3rd is a week's pay, you can talk about being conservative to move up a slot. otherwise, put 'em in when you're likely to have the best hand.

gw-

[2_hotty]

I'd check , then move on the flop.

[Cwalker13]

I would check to see the flop. Decide then if it is good enough to push. But I say money is money, stick it out for 3rd if at all possible.

[coyote]

Originally Posted by gwilkx

i have to put all my chips in here. you can't survive without picking up some chips, and this is about the best spot you can hope for at this point - first in the pot, still have 3 bets to put some minor pressure on potential callers, and statistically you are very likely to have the best hand.gw-

He's not first in the pot, both button and SB have limped already. I push here. you most likely have the best hand, at worst you may be facing an underpair. I have a feeling neither opponent is folding to the raise.