| Imagine the scenario. You're playing Texas hold'em | | | | The savy player knows when to fold. And that |
| poker in asingle table sit-and-go tournament. It's | | | | includes folding AApre-flop. |
| getting towards thelatter stages, five players are left | | | | Here's when to consider very carefully when to muck |
| and you can smell anin-the-money finish. But you | | | | those acesbefore the flop. |
| need to get in to the top three andstay there - while | | | | Back to the scenario. Five players left, you're in |
| your chip stack would be nice if it wasbigger. The | | | | fourth placewith those Aces screaming at you to |
| blinds are becoming significant and you know | | | | push your chips in. But youhave the advantage being |
| you'llhave to make your move soon. | | | | in last position to act. Two playerswith bigger stacks |
| Out come the cards - miracles of miracles, you look | | | | than you throw enough chips in the pot toforce you |
| down at yourcards and see the magic AA looking | | | | all-in if you decide to play. And now the small stackin |
| back at you. Now, surely thismeans it's you right to | | | | fifth place takes his chances and goes all-in. |
| win the hand. Announce "I'm all-in" andbecome the | | | | The action is now on you. The urge to splash your |
| chip leader. | | | | chips in tothe middle is irresistible. But before you do - |
| Now, under most circumstances there's no doubt | | | | this about itfor a moment. As things stand, you can |
| that you shouldeither push in a tasty raise or even | | | | fold your aces now withthe chance of moving in to |
| all-in with those big aces. | | | | third place and a money finishwithout risk. |
| Although remarkable as it may seem, there are times | | | | If the player in the hand with the biggest stack wins |
| to foldthose "pocket rockets" and not see a flop. It | | | | it, he'lltake out the other two with smaller stacks and |
| takes disciplineto do and is all about risk versus | | | | you instantly getbumped up to third place and |
| reward. | | | | guaranteed money without. Andwithout risking any of |
| If you're playing single table sit and go tournaments | | | | your chips which you still have to fightwith. |
| you mustfinish in the first three to get a return on | | | | Risk = zero. Reward = third place at least and a |
| your entry fee. Weall know that the great starting | | | | guaranteedprize money. |
| hands don't come along toooften and when they do, | | | | That's when to fold anything pre-flop, not just aces. |
| a lot of players become married to thehand and can't | | | | Throwanything away at any stage if it means you |
| put it down under any circumstances. | | | | can move in to themoney without risk. |