Single SNGs, tactics, an stuff

hi druff!!! hows it goin! once again, props for your peoples site. i finally figured out how to post stuff, and as you seem to be the sanest of the whole never win team, im gonna ask you(already posted this question in my blog, but no answer): as ive said, ive been playin poker for about 3 months, and i suck. im a bit better at sngs than cash games, so here goes:

so lets say im playin a 5$ SNG, and im the big stack, with 6k or so. we are 5 people, alltogether, with everybody else about equal (1.5 to 2k) and one tiny stack of 550 or so. the blinds are 100/200. now everybodys playing real tight, and are of course avoiding me.(is 5 people already considered the bubble?) and the small stack hasnt done anything for ten minutes, so hes obviously waiting for a big hand. now, all of a sudden, he goes all in. lets say i have a real bad hand, like 72o. would it be a good idea to actually call him, practically giving him his double up, to keep everybody playin nice and tight? how about with 4 people?

like i said, im still really bad at poker, and i dont wanna smart off or so. but it has seemed to work a couple of times for me. i expect that somebody has either thought of this before, or that its a dumb idea for some reason which i havent realized yet.

anyhoo, id be happy to get an answer, as detailed as possible:-), and i wish you the best of luck, druff dude!

and as a gesture of premature gratitude, heres a picture of a hot albanian chick!! (from my private collection:-)

Google - ICM poker or Independent Chip Model you will find a wealth of information all over the interweb. Of course I am sure Druff can explain it all better than me, but essentially you are asking a question that a ICM Calculator is the best tool to get your answer with. Nice Hot Albanian Chick!

aight, ill check it out. thanks a lot

aight, ill check it out. thanks a lot

I normally would not call the shortstack with 72o but what really matters is pot odds. You didnt mention your position. Cold calling, I probably would not call. If your in BB, it would be only 350 more to call so at BB, it seems right to call and a chance to bust him. If you were BB when he went allin, that 850 in the pot and 350 to you to call. So yah call on BB. Any other position I'd lay it.

call if you're in the bb, fold any else imo.

Also, I would be shoving pretty much any 2 with those stack sizes when its folded to u on the BTN or in CO, would tighten up slightly UTG. 5 players althought not technically an STT bubble is still good place to apply pressure with these stack sizes.

thx for the answer, but my question isnt really about pot odds. what im basically asking is is it a good idea to call the tiny stack with the intention of losing so that he stays in the game and the average stacks, who are the real threat, are forced to continue playing tight, since they are not yet In the money(lets say 4 plrs left). i was just wondering if anybody has thought something up or does anything like that or if its complete bullshit.

peace

It might be something you calculate into your decision to call, but you should never call with the intention of losing. You are on the right path though and agression is what takes you from scrapping into the money to getting 1st place chips.

I agree with most of the advice here.

You should prefer that the shortstack busts, as fewer players means a greater chance of you winning -- even if you're the overwhleming chip leader.

How many times have you seen a tiny stack rise from the dead and win a tournament? I have countless times -- including earlier this week when I was the shortstack at Commerce ($1350 with 300/600/75 blinds) and ended up winning it. Always be happy when a player goes donkdown.