4 players left. Short stack goes all in. Call? Or Fold?

[stirfry]

This is always a tough one for me when I have good cards. When someone is shortstacked, i want them to go out, not increase their chip stack. I don't want to add to their comeback so often I'll fold even good cards like suited cards or Ace and weak kicker. I folded Q9 suited the last time this situation happened to me. The short stack caught a full house with a 5 and the three 2's on the board. I folded a Q that would have paired the board for the winning hand. I just wanted to see the dude go out and get into playing for the money. I don't consider it a mistake as the blinds were at 300/600, but I'm curious how others think on this tough subject.

Thanks for reading my post

------stirfry

[MIKENBATS25]

I make the same call all the time and it always comes back to haunt me.So now i tell myself /Make the call if the person wins he was supposed to win,but more peaple against the short stack the better the odds of makeing it to the money/and its worked for me 90% of the time.Aces, queens, kings , at least see the flop,you have to give yourself a chance.Low cards i have to think real hard on that one.Hope this helps

[XTT1980]

I usually fold, if I was not big or small blind. Remember that your aim is to get in the top three, not to win one pot. Hope that helps.

[maverik]

I think it depends on the person you are playing, if they have been very cautions all along then i would fold unless i had very strong cards. If they have been playing loose, i always call unless i have terrible cards.

There is those in between and those who chop and change their strategy which can be more tricky- i usually then call depending on the strength of my cards but usually have a lower threshold anyway of making the call as the short chipped person is usually in a difficult position and needs chips asap to survive.

[Carmine555]

If a CALL would still keep me in the chip lead if I were to get beat, holding Q9suited, I would at least call. If first to bet after all-in was made, and others still to play, maybe even a raise to get others out. If more than 1 others have already called the all-in before it is your turn, maybe fold (follow your gut feeling). Be much more careful if your chipstack is not large.

[dispute]

Depends what position you are in. If you are BB and it's not to much more to call and you are the only other caller the yes. It's pretty much a coin flip.

[TheDonkey66]

I would fold, when i am small stack and sitting 4th i play no hands at all...

[sickshifter21]

Originally Posted by maverik

I think it depends on the person you are playing, if they have been very cautions all along then i would fold unless i had very strong cards. If they have been playing loose, i always call unless i have terrible cards.

There is those in between and those who chop and change their strategy which can be more tricky- i usually then call depending on the strength of my cards but usually have a lower threshold anyway of making the call as the short chipped person is usually in a difficult position and needs chips asap to survive.

i agree watch how he usually bets and the hands he bets strong on. always bet to the strength of your cards very well said maverik

[MIKENBATS025]

I make the same call all the time and it always comes back to haunt me.So now i tell myself /Make the call if the person wins he was supposed to win,but more peaple against the short stack the better the odds of makeing it to the money/and its worked for me 90% of the time.Aces, queens, kings , at least see the flop,you have to give yourself a chance.Low cards i have to think real hard on that one.Hope this helps

[safed1986]

maby THATS Y I LOOSE ALOT I USUALLY PLAY A GOOD HAND EVEN WITH BIG BLINDS, MABY IF CHIPS ARE IMPORTANT 4 U IS MUCH BETTER 2 FOLD UR HAND UNTILL A 4TH PLAYER IS ELIMINATED

[putemup]

i would prolly fold

[divein]

I agree this ones tough.position and #of callers as well as your chip stack all change how you should play.

[GERRY]

Better In Long Run To Play It Safe

[Blofeld]

It's suprising how easy it is to steal as a short stack playing shorthanded or at the cut-off. Nobody wants to double them up, and as a result they will only get called by absolute premium hands. I don't mind playing from a short stack late in the game as it's not too hard to get back from.

I'm always cautious when calling them but always try to lean on them a little when possible. Q-9 is always a fold here in my opinion. Short stacks like to go in with "any Ace" so you must have at least an Ace to call with, preferably with a Jack or better.

[decboieire]

fold let another take em out nd risk it wit 4 on da table not worth it!!!

[Pirate]

Hmmm that's a toughy, but I tend to have luck with very erratic hands. 7 3 offsuit treats me well a lot! I tend to trip up on these so I probably would have gone for it at least just to see the flop, if it wouldn't have put to big a dent in my stack. If it was 1/3 my chips or more then no way; 1/4 or less of my chips, probably would have gone for it.

[UCanSeeMe]

I usually just let someone else call them...lol

[roo27]

if i was chip leader i'd call with that and even as low as q 3 but then i play for 1st not 2ed or 3ed and if thay low on chips you will probable find that thay will all in with lower starting hands than normal so you might just be in better shape than you think

[TIDDLYW1NK]

Roo's got it bang right, it all depends on whether you're trying to survive or trying to win.

[dragon_man]

definately fold unless you have ace ace