When it folds to you on the button

[theANMATOR]

I know the answers to this question are largely dictated by stack sizes, tendencies of the players in the blinds, and a couple other elements of tourney play, including table image, dynamics - and at what point this situation arises in the event, early mid-point, late reg closed etc etc.

BUT - I'd like to get some other players input on this situation, because I kind of feel like I might be playing a bit too tight. Or maybe not - I'm really unsure.

Common belief is we should defend in the BB pretty wide. Personally I think it's better to play slightly wider on the button than to defend oop in the bb, but that's just me.

So the general question - without specifics - is When it's folded to you on the button -- how wide is your opening range.

Lets say we have above average (top 25) stack size in a standard large field online MTT that runs for 12-15 levels, and we are on level 8, and the players in the blinds are straight up ABC players. They are very easy to play against.

Historically - I've been folding here with marginally playable hands, say Q/7 suited, J/9 off, A/8 off, T/8 suited, but having position in this situation is very strong in my view - if we can get to the flop cheaply. And the more often I observe the blind play SB vs BB - it makes me think I'm being too tight in this spot.

I'm not talking here about thinking I have the best hand - I'm really talking about playing poker from this spot. Although against the standard marginally thinking player pool - this might be a bad idea. Better to just play my standard game and let the fish punt off to me. But I've had this niggling feeling for a while now - and wanted some others input on it.


Also - just to be clear to everyone - I play micro stakes - where the general player pool is straight up ABC, the majority of the pool do not fold top pair, they will call down 2 pair on straight and flush boards with regularity, where only about 20% are able to bluff in the right spots, and 5% of those who are able to bluff - are just aggro donks who are over-bluffing consistently.
There are good players at the micro level - not saying there aren't - but it's important to point out the general player pool where I play - when considering answers to this question. Theory strict responses - might be less appropriate in this pool than they would be in mid+ stakes.

Thanks in advance for all who provide insight.

 

[BelFish]

Maybe there is some rule of thumb like defending (on BB) on a range that has equity against Villain's range like 55-60% or something like that. In this case, defense means calling. Also take into account the dependence on the size of the stack and on the icm situation.

P.S. And to steal from the button on a range that accordingly has good equity against the opponent's defense range ))

It all comes down to the fact that you need to know the statistics of specific opponents well..

 

[rock0001]

you should be almost never folding hands like a8 on the bubble if everyone at the table have folded their hands. in fact any ace its playable on the button if nobody raises preflop. also hands lime 10 8 or j9 suited or even offsuited have lots of equity postflop so you can also raise or even limp and see a cheap flop

 

[okeedokalee]

Tricky subject, try this and remember you are always playing against a range:
https://www.pokerstrategy.com/strategy/various-poker/ranges-equity-introduction/

 

[IADaveMark]

Remember that at that point, you are playing against 2 random hands who know they will be OOP post-flop. My rule (for late position in general -- not just on the button) is I need to have at least one of:

• Showdown value (A, K)
• Suited
• Connected

So e.g.

• Ax
• Kx
• 89
• JQ
• Qs3s
• Jh6h

All of those would be legit.

Compare this to when I am in earlier position, I would prefer to open a hand that had two of those factors.