Getting value in the later stages (STT)

[PAULM03]

A question that's been bugging me for a while. Down to the last 5 in an STT, stacks are all fairly even (about 2000-2500) and blinds 100/200. In this situation everyone has tightened right up, getting anyone to call anything is a nightmare and showing any kind of aggression usually picks up the blinds. So the question is, how would you play a hand such as AK? IMO the blinds aren't really large enough to justify going all-in and taking the pot down pre-flop - that would be a waste of a good hand. Yet limping carries a big risk of getting taken down by someone with a far inferior hand. The other options I've thought of are a minimum raise (IMO screams monster and would be likely to result in everyone folding) or a 4xBB raise, but that doesn't really leave much room for continuation bets and you might aswell have gone all-in pre-flop and not run the risk of getting outdrawn. Any suggestions?

[Valiant23]

Re: Getting value in the later stages (STT) If all the remaining players a playing tight, then like you say any big hands like this will need to meet another big 'un (although :hope not as big as yours) for you to get paid. I know I am less aggressive, but sometimes taking a risk by limping with AK can pay dividends, although you run the risk even if you hit an A or K of losing to Ace-rag or K-rag hitting 2 pr. I think it this is the fun time of an STT, but unless I felt the players and my image called for something slightly unconventional then I'd still recommend the pre-flop raise. I'd rather pick up blinds than lose to K3 suited.