Stack size often comes into play when deciding whether or not to make a squeeze play in an MTT. As a small stack it can be a perfect opportunity to accumulate a significant amount of chips with minimal risk. As a big stack, you can utilise your chips to force the weaker stacks to fold.
For a small to medium stack, moving all-in over the top of a raise and a call can give you enough chips to survive several more orbits. For example, let’s say you have 15,000 in chips with the blinds at 500/1,000 and a 100 ante at a ten-handed table. A player in middle position raises to 3,000 and is called by the cutoff. You move all-in for 15,000 from the small blind and both players fold. You add 8,000 to your stack, an increase of over 50% to your stack size.
When pulling off a squeeze play as a short or medium stack it is important to note whether or not you have any fold equity. If the initial raiser or caller has a small to medium stack like yours to begin with, you might not be able to induce a fold. If you have ten big blinds or less your opponents may be priced in to call with a wide range of hands. So what hands should you be squeezing with as a short stack? If your opponents will fold, it doesn’t matter. If they won’t fold or there is a good probability they will call, your range needs to avoid ‘easily dominated’ hands like small Aces, K-9 and Q-T.
Table bully
For a big stack, the squeeze play can be a thing of beauty because the players left in the hand know they will be risking their tournament life if they take you on. Let’s say the initial raiser starts the hand with 25,000 with the blinds at 500/1,000. He makes it 3,000 and is called by a player who has 30,000. You have 100,000 and make it 10,000 to go. Both of these players know they can’t just call. They will either have to move all-in and risk their tournament life or fold. This is why the squeeze play is a great source of additional chips for a big stack.
Be sure to know which players won’t fold hands like medium pairs, A-J and K-Q. As with most things in poker, paying close attention to the tendencies of your opponents is crucial.