ITH Poker Forum

[kinnipak]

Hi. My name is Kinnipak. I am a non-comprehending member of the poker world when it comes to BB thinking in tournys and SnG'S. And I would like to know if there is help for me....

Seriously, I have never gotten the whole "I had 45BB left and this shorty with 18BB is betting into me..."...etc.

I know I am old school, but I have always thought about my stack in terms of $$ and not BB. What is the advantage of this? Is there a shortcut to applying the math? Phil G had the little "Rule 0f 4 and 2" when it came to Odds and such...anything to help calculate your BB's quickly for betting purposes?

Thanks for any help and insight.

[maf66]

Understanding your stack size (and your opponent's) in BBs is imperative in any tournament so you know how to proceed in a hand.
I'm not sure if you know how to calculate BBs. You simply divide your stack size by the amount of the big blind. E.g. if your stack size is $3000 and the blinds are 150/300, then you have 10BBs. You will sometimes here people talk about their M. This is a calculation devised by Dan Harrington which divides your stack by the sum of small blind + big blind + antes. But that is so 2008 and harder to work out in a hurry.
As a general rule, with a stack of >30bbs you can play more hands. The bigger the stack the more freedom you have.

Between 20bb to 30bb is considered the hardest stack size to play. You definitely have to tighten up your opening and calling ranges.
Between 10bb to 20bb is your resteal stack size. Look to push any late raiser from the blinds with a suitable hand. Any pair, any ace, etc will do. The kids on the street these days are often open-pushing with this stack size. This is also something to look for.
Less that 10bbs is when you're really short stacked and you only have 1 move left - push.
This is a general summary and the subject could get deeper once you start asking about what hands to do the above with.
As mentioned, knowing your stack size at all times is vital in any tournament.
Hope this helps.

[chrisjp]

Good summary by maf. Of course a book could be written on this. In fact more than a few were.

Chris

[kinnipak]

U know, I hate to confess that I am stupid. But I feel very stupid here.

I have read all the HoH books several times. When I am playing, the concept of "M" is what I use to determine where I am against an opponent.

For some strange reason I thought there was more to it. I swear to God, I thought I was missing something when in fact, I was just not paying proper attention to what is being said/written.

Thanks for the smack to wake me up.

[maf66]

No problem at all Kinnipak. Sometimes we all need that little something to make us put it all together.

The next stage, which you will need to research, is seeing what hands fit what category, i.e. what hands should you resteal with, what hands should you open-push with and from which position, etc. I think we're all still learning this.

Just continue to read the MTT & STT forum posts for an idea of these sorts of scenarios.

Good luck.

[darvon]

K,

Also, if you haven't already, look at Nash Equilibrium Theorem for when M <10.

It is only truly applicable heads up, but if you are first to raise and think you can isolate the BB, it can become almost a headsup situation.

[nsidestrate]

Just a quibble, but Harrington didn't come up with "M." I believe Paul Magriel gets the credit.

[maf66]

Just a quibble, but Harrington didn't come up with "M." I believe Paul Magriel gets the credit.

Yeah, I was aware of that, but Harrington was the one who told the World about it. I think I'm right in saying its called M after Magriel.

[cowboyinexile]

As a general rule, with a stack of >30bbs you can play more hands. The bigger the stack the more freedom you have.

Between 20bb to 30bb is considered the hardest stack size to play. You definitely have to tighten up your opening and calling ranges.
Between 10bb to 20bb is your resteal stack size. Look to push any late raiser from the blinds with a suitable hand. Any pair, any ace, etc will do. The kids on the street these days are often open-pushing with this stack size. This is also something to look for.
Less that 10bbs is when you're really short stacked and you only have 1 move left - push.
This is a general summary and the subject could get deeper once you start asking about what hands to do the above with.
As mentioned, knowing your stack size at all times is vital in any tournament.
Hope this helps.

I think this is pretty solid advice.