Small stack late tournament trap

So, you've played well, stayed tight, been aggressive when in the pot, and you've made it to the final table. The final table consists of a couple of stacks larger than yours, three (including yourself) in the mid stack range (30bb) and three or four small stacks (less than 10 bb).

The blinds here are devastating for the small stacks, they know they have to chip up fast or they will be blinded out. And, they also know that going below 3bb means they will give no fold equity, a large stack will call a tiny stack all in with almost any two cards.

So, the small stacks are basically waiting for a hand strong enough for an all in. Depending on stack size, any ace, certainly any pair, and probably any two face cards will do.

However, a smart small stack also realizes that if someone has raised with other players yet to act, and they have a moderate weak hand such as A 3, then this is not the time to push, as the larger stack that already pre-flop raised probably has a better hand.

A smart short stack also understands the power of blind stealing. If 1 or more players before them have limped into the pot, indicating less than premium holdings, they can push all in to take that limp as well as the blinds and antes.

This behaviour, if observed, can be taken advantage of.

Normally, if you have a strong hand such as A Q or a pair of 10's, you would pre-flop raise to build the pot. However, if there are small stacks desperately trying to double up at your table, you can set the small stack trap.

If you are in early position, instead of raising with these hands, you will limp. This indicates a medium strength hand, and this limp will be much less likely to deter a small stack from going all in, as they might feel an all in would push you off of your limp bet.

The other advantage here is that the small stacks all in will most likely deter others from entering the pot, meaning it will be just you and the small stack going to the flop and beyond on their all in.

Of course, if a big stack yet to act raises your bet, then your focus shifts to playing that player instead of the small stack, as they can potentially cause a lot more damage to your chip stack. Fortunately, limping with a strong hand means you are well defended and ready to go to the flop with that big stack.

Most times, it is definitely wise to raise with a strong hand to build the pot and reduce the number of post flop players.

However, at the end of a tournament when surrounded by desperate small stacks, a strong hand that would otherwise deter their all in with a raise can instead be used as a trap, portraying a marginal hand giving the small stack the confidence to push.