***** Hand History for Game 2392839344 *****
NL Texas Hold'em $20 Buy-in + $2 Entry Fee Trny:14089995 Level:5 Blinds(75/150) - Tuesday, July 19, 23:28:25 EDT 2005
Table Table 14977 (Real Money)
Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 1: k97nv01 ( $1470 )
Seat 5: stealthtt385 ( $1610 )
Seat 9: sjbeal ( $610 )
Seat 10: CHEAPTRIPS ( $4310 )
Trny:14089995 Level:5
Blinds(75/150)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to stealthtt385 [ Tc Th ]
sjbeal folds.
CHEAPTRIPS folds.
k97nv01 raises [1470].
k97nv01 is all-In.

Blinds are being stolen pretty much every round. Is it call or fold? And why?

I'd call. I'd feel better if it was the shortstack, and you're basically risking your game on TT, but it's likely the best hand. I know you want to make the money and have the shortstack go out, but too many times I've passed on an opportunity like this only to have the shortstack double just once and now I'm the one that they're waiting to get taken out.

I may be in the minority about calling off your chips right here, and you're probably only a 70/30 favorite, but I'd call. My $0.02.

On the bubble, I really like to pass up hands that are a coinflip in favor of stealing blinds. This was a close call, not sure if I would have folded, but I very much like to be the one raising. With 4 people left I want to steal the blinds of the two short stacks. The size of his stack might be too close to mine to call there. If I was left with a bit more than the short stack it would be different.

When the blind are only 75 / 150, Not that high for SnGs. Worse case scenario your fighting two over cards (How wrong that is, but you can't expect Jacks), so coin toss or better… You’re not the short stack, however, so I’d say that you are in front in this hand, but I’d suggest a fold since there is a major short stack and why not wait until your ITM and not risk missing out on some cash. Only 150 chips, let him have it until your ITM... Your in good shape still after you lose the blinds...

There are only 4 hands that you are an underdog to, and a lot more that you're a coinflip to, but I bet he makes the same move with 5's to 8's too so I would say you're slightly better than a 50/50 chance of winning, (probably like 60/40 with the bluff factor).

But, I think I advocate folding here, your number one goal in an SNG is to make the money, number 2 is to get first place, since you haven't made it yet and aren't sure what your opponent holds, I think folding is right. If you call here and win, you are almost guaranteed 2nd place, but since that isn't a goal, it shouldn't matter. You're in no immediate danger (nor is your opponent) and there is a short stack. I can't count the number of times that I was short-stacked on the bubble and folded my way into the money because of larger stacks battling it out.

That said, I don't blame you for calling, it's a lot easier to beat yourself up after you see the results, and the chance of taking out an equal stack (who's trying to take you blind!) is very tempting. But I think in the long run the right move is folding.