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Gold-State • Strategy: The Influence of Antes on your Pushing Range in SNGs
by shakin65 |
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You can find this article and many others at www.PokerStrategy.com
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Antes are forced bets that players have to pay in every hand before they get to look at their cards. Antes have to be paid by every player at the table and are not considered as bets already contributed to the pot but rather as a kind of entry fee into the hand.
Antes are the second type of forced bets apart from the blinds. They usually become relevant in the late phase of Sit and Goes or multi table tournaments.
If there are any antes and how high they are varies from platform to platform. While there aren't any antes in Full Tilt SnGs, they do play a role at PartyPoker as of blind level 400/800. At PokerStars antes become relevant as of blind level 100/200.
It is a common mistake to underestimate the influence of antes; many players don't take them into consideration when playing. The following examples will analyse their influence in SnGs and you will learn why and how you should adjust your playing style.
UTG (t1830)
MP (t4385)
CO (t715)
Hero (t1975)
SB (t2980)
BB (t1615)
This is the level at PokerStars before antes come into play. Nash gives me a pushing range of 34.2%, 22+ Ax+ K5s+ KTo+ Q6s+ QTo+ J7s+ JTo T7s+ T9o 97s+ 87s 76s.
The calling ranges of the opponents are at 10.4%, 66+ A8s+ A9o+ (SB) and 15.8%, 44+ A5s+ A7o+ KTs+ KQo (BB).
Taking into account your stack size of 2275 as well as your opponents' stack sizes, Hero has an EV of 0.1778 after winning the blinds. Hero's expected share of the prize money is therefore 17.78%.
If you choose the following blind levels (100/200 with antes of 25 each), the Nash ranges change as follows:
Hero's pushing range: 39.7%, 22+ Ax+ K2s+ K9o+ Q5s+ Q9o+ J7s+ J9o+ T6s+ T9o 96s+ 86s+ 75s+ 65s
SB (calling range): 11.3%, 66+ A7s+ A9o+ KJs+
BB (calling range): 24.4%, 33+ A2s+ A3o+ K9s+ KTo+ QTs+ QJo
Hero's EV after winning the blinds and the antes is at 18.63%.
The additional profit of 125 chips increases Hero's expected share of the prize money by ~1%. His pushing range increases by 5.5%.
Hero with 10 BBs, 7-handed
CO (t1160)
Button (t2525)
SB (t1345)
BB (t3580)
UTG (t460)
MP1 (t2395)
Hero (t2035)
According to Nash, Hero could push with 30.0%: 22+ A2s+ A7o+ A5o-A4o K5s+ KTo+ Q7s+ QTo+ J7s+ JTo T7s+ 97s+ 87s.
If it was a level without antes, Hero could push with 18.9%: 22+ A2s+ ATo+ K9s+ KJo+ Q9s+ QJo J9s+ T9s. As compared to a game with antes, his pushing range becomes tighter by 11%. The big difference compared to the previous hand lies in Hero's position. Playing with antes can justify a pushing range that is considerably looser.
If Hero's position in the previous hand had been UTG, he would have had a pushing range of 12.2% in a game without antes: 88+ A8s+ A5s-A3s ATo+ KTs+ KQo QTs+ JTs.
With antes, Hero could push with 17.6% according to Nash: 22+ A2s+ ATo+ K9s+ KJo+ Q9s+ JTs T9s.
If Hero switched position with MP1, he could push 17.6%, 22+ A2s+ ATo+ K9s+ KJo+ Q9s+ J9s+ without antes. With antes, his pushing range comprises 22.5%, 22+ A2s+ A8o+ K8s+ KTo+ Q9s+ QJo J9s+ T8s+ 98s.
In a game without antes, Hero's pushing range after switching position with CO would be: 23.1%, 22+ A2s+ A9o+ K8s+ KTo+ Q8s+ QTo+ J9s+ JTo T9s. In a game with antes, it would be 32.1%, 22+ Ax+ K5s+ KTo+ Q8s+ QTo+ J8s+ JTo T7s+ 97s+ 87s.
If Hero was the BU in a game without antes, he could push 35.4%, 22+ Ax+ K5s+ KTo+ Q6s+ QTo+ J7s+ J9o+ T7s+ T9o 97s+ 86s+ 76s, with antes he could push 40.9%, 22+ Ax+ K2s+ K9o+ Q5s+ Q9o+ J7s+ J9o+ T6s+ T9o 96s+ 98o 86s+ 75s+ 65s 54s.
In the SB, Hero's pushing range without antes would be 56.0%, 22+ Ax+ K2s+ K4o+ Q2s+ Q8o+ J3s+ J8o+ T4s+ T7o+ 95s+ 97o+ 85s+ 87o 74s+ 76o 64s+ 53s+, with antes 66.2%, 22+ Kx+ Q2s+ Q5o+ J2s+ J7o+ T2s+ T7o+ 94s+ 96o+ 84s+ 86o+ 74s+ 76o 63s+ 65o 53s+ 43s.
An overview of the differences:
| Hero with 10 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 12.2% | 17.6% | +5.4% |
| MP1 | 17.6% | 22.5% | +4.9% |
| MP2 | 18.9% | 30.0% | +11.1% |
| CO | 23.1% | 32.1% | +9% |
| BU | 35.4% | 40.9% | +5.5% |
| SB | 56.0% | 66.2% | +10.2% |
Hero with 9 BBs, 7-handed
SB (t1700)
BB (t2000)
Hero (t1800)
MP1 (t2000)
MP2 (t2000)
CO (t2000)
BU (t2000)
Once again, take a look at Hero's range depending on his position and the antes:
| Hero with 9 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 12.4% | 18.9% | +6.5% |
| MP1 | 15.8% | 22.2% | +6.4% |
| MP2 | 19.8% | 31.2% | +11.4% |
| CO | 27% | 35.7% | +8.7% |
| BU | 37.9% | 43.9% | +6% |
| SB | 63.2% | 76.8% | +13.6% |
What is particularly striking here are the much looser pushing ranges from middle position and from the SB.
Hero with 8 BBs, 7-handed
CO (t2000)
Button (t1900)
SB (t2000)
BB (t2000)
Hero (t1600)
MP1 (t2000)
MP2 (t2000)
| Hero with 8 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 14.8% | 20.1% | +5.3% |
| MP1 | 16.3% | 23.4% | +7.1% |
| MP2 | 19.8% | 30.6% | +10.8% |
| CO | 28.5% | 35.4% | +6.9% |
| BU | 37% | 40.6% | +3.6% |
| SB | 61.7% | 73.5% | +11.8% |
As in the previous example, the most significant influence of the antes affect MP2 and the SB.
Hero with 7 BBs, 7-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (7-handed)
MP2 (t2000)
CO (t2000)
Button (t2100)
SB (t2000)
BB (t2000)
Hero (t1400)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 7 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 14.8% | 21.6% | +6.8% |
| MP1 | 18.9% | 27% | +8.1% |
| MP2 | 23.4% | 31.2% | +7.8% |
| CO | 31.2% | 33.9% | +2.7% |
| BU | 36% | 42.7% | +6.7% |
| SB | 64.7% | 77.7% | +13% |
With 7 BBs, the changes in the pushing ranges are not too significant with the exception of that of the SB.
Hero with 6 BBs, 7-handed
Button (t2300)
SB (t2000)
BB (t2000)
Hero (t1200)
MP1 (t2000)
MP2 (t2000)
CO (t2000)
| Hero with 6 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 17.6% | 24% | +6.4% |
| MP1 | 19.8% | 28.2% | +8.4% |
| MP2 | 27% | 31.2% | +4.2% |
| CO | 30.6% | 35.4% | +4.8% |
| BU | 35.4% | 43.3% | +7.9% |
| SB | 66.2% | 78.3% | +12.1% |
| 7-handed | UTG | MP1 | MP2 | CO | BU | SB |
| 10 BB | 5.4% | 4.9% | 11.1% | 9% | 5.5% | 10.2% |
| 9 BB | 7.5% | 6.4% | 11.4% | 8.7% | 6% | 13.6% |
| 8 BB | 5.3% | 7.1% | 10.8% | 6.9% | 3.6% | 11.8% |
| 7 BB | 6.8% | 8.1% | 7.8% | 2.7% | 6.7% | 13% |
| 6 BB | 6.4% | 8.4% | 4.2% | 4.8% | 7.9% | 12.1% |
In a 7-handed game, antes of 8 – 10 BBs have the greatest influence on the pushing ranges from MP2 and the SB. With 6 and 7 BBs you see the most significant changes when in MP1 and the SB. Here, the pushing ranger usually becomes looser by 8% to 12%.
The pushing ranges from the remaining positions usually change by 5% and 7%.
Hero mit 10 BBs, 6-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6-handed)
CO (t2400)
Button (t2400)
SB (t2400)
BB (t2300)
Hero (t2000)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 10 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 13.3% | 18.9% | +5.6% |
| MP1 | 17.8% | 22.8% | +5% |
| CO | 22.8% | 33% | +10.2% |
| BU | 35.7% | 41.5% | +5.8% |
| SB | 63.2% | 71.3% | +7.9% |
Compared to 7-handed games, the differences in the pushing ranges aren't that considerable. Here are the CO and the SB, whose positions are influenced the most by the antes.
Hero with 9 BBs, 6-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed)
CO (t2400)
Button (t2400)
SB (t2400)
BB (t2500)
Hero (t1800)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 9 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 15.2% | 19.8% | +4.6% |
| MP1 | 18.4% | 26.1% | +7.7% |
| CO | 24.3% | 33.6% | +9.3% |
| BU | 36% | 41.5% | +5.5% |
| SB | 59.6% | 73.2% | +13.6% |
With 9 BBs as well, the CO and the SB are the positions most affected by the antes. The result here roughly corresponds to that of a 7-handed game with 9 BBs.
Hero with 8 BBs, 6-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6-handed)
CO (t2500)
Button (t2500)
SB (t2500)
BB (t2400)
Hero (t1600)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 8 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 15.5% | 22.5% | +7% |
| MP1 | 19.8% | 29.7% | +9.9% |
| CO | 27.3% | 33% | +5.7% |
| BU | 35.7% | 39.1% | +3.4% |
| SB | 61.4% | 73.5% | +12.1% |
With 8 BBs in a 6-handed game, the influence of the antes shifts from the CO to MP1, while the change in the influence on the SB stays high.
Hero with 7 BBs, 6-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6 handed)
CO (t2500)
Button (t2500)
SB (t2500)
BB (t2600)
Hero (t1400)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 7 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range mit antes | Result |
| UTG | 18.9% | 24.3% | +5.4% |
| MP1 | 23.1% | 29.1% | +6.1% |
| CO | 31.5% | 33.9% | +2.4% |
| BU | 35.4% | 40% | +4.6% |
| SB | 62.6% | 71.9% | +9.3% |
Similar to the examples for 7-handed games, the changes in the pushing ranges in 6-handed games approximate each other. However, there is one exception to this: The pushing range from the SB still changes dramatically.
Hero with 6 BBs, 6-handed
PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t200 (6-handed)
CO (t2600)
Button (t2600)
SB (t2600)
BB (t2500)
Hero (t1200)
MP1 (t2000)
| Hero with 6 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 19.8% | 26.1% | +6.3% |
| MP1 | 25.2% | 30.3% | +5.1% |
| CO | 30% | 34.2% | +4.2% |
| BU | 35.4% | 40.9% | +5.5% |
| SB | 66.2% | 77.1% | +10.9% |
By what percentage does Hero's pushing range become looser in 6-handed games with antes?
| 6-handed | UTG | MP1 | CO | BU | SB |
| 10 BB | 5.6% | 5% | 10.2% | 5.8% | 7.9% |
| 9 BB | 4.6% | 7.7% | 9.3% | 5.5% | 13.6% |
| 8 BB | 7% | 9.9% | 5.7% | 3.4% | 12.1% |
| 7 BB | 5.4% | 6.1% | 2.4% | 4.6% | 9.3% |
| 6 BB | 6.3% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 5.5% | 10.9% |
In 6-handed games, antes of 9 - 10 BBs have the biggest influence on the pushing ranges of the CO and the SB. With antes of 6 and 7 BBs, you get the biggest changes in the SB while the the other ranges approximate each other in regard to the changes. Usually, your pushing range gets looser by 9% to 13%.
The changes in the pushing ranges of the other positions are usually between 5% and 7%, very similar to the 7-handed examples.
Hero with 6 BBs, 5-handed
SB (t3000)
BB (t3000)
Hero (t2500)
CO (t2000)
BU (t3000)
| Hero with 6 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 23.4% | 25.2% | +1.8% |
| CO | 27.3% | 31.2% | +4.9% |
| BU | 37.9% | 39.7% | +1.8% |
| SB | 73.2% | 75.3% | +2.1% |
The CO experiences the biggest changes here. However, the influence on the ranges are by far less significant than in 6-handed or 7-handed games.
Hero with 7 BBs, 5-handed
SB (t3000)
BB (t3000)
Hero (t2800)
CO (t2000)
BU (t2700)
| Hero with 7 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 24.1% | 28.2% | +4.1% |
| CO | 31.2% | 35.4% | +4.2% |
| BU | 41.8% | 45.1% | +3.3% |
| SB | 78.6% | 85.5% | +6.9% |
Compared to 6 BBs, the changes are bigger here. SB's pushing ranges gets considerably looser.
Hero with 8 BBs, 5-handed
SB (t3000)
BB (t3000)
Hero (t3200)
CO (t2000)
BU (t2300)
| Hero with 8 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 25.2% | 28.2% | +3% |
| CO | 32.1% | 40% | +7.9% |
| BU | 44.5% | 49% | +4.5% |
| SB | 90% | 89.1% | -0.9% |
The pushing range of the SB is tigher in games with antes than in games without them. This is due to the somewhat looser calling range of the BB in games with antes. The CO can push much looser.
Hero with 9 BBs, 5-handed
SB (t2800)
BB (t2800)
Hero (t3600)
CO (t2000)
BU (t2300)
| Hero with 9 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 29.1% | 34.5% | +5.4% |
| CO | 39.7% | 44.2% | +4.5% |
| BU | 49.6% | 54.8% | +5.2% |
| SB | 91% | 98.2% | +7.1% |
While the ranges for UTG, CO and BU experience changes of around the same size, the SB is the position that is affected the most.
Hero with 10 BBs, 5-handed
SB (t2500)
BB (t2500)
Hero (t4000)
CO (t2000)
BU (t2500)
| Hero with 10 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| UTG | 31.2% | 38.8% | +7.6% |
| CO | 42.7% | 45.1% | +2.4% |
| BU | 52.3% | 56.6% | +4.3% |
| SB | 94.6% | 96.4% | +1.8% |
With 10 BBs, it is the UTG position whose pushing range experiences the biggest influences through the antes. With the remaining positions, the influence exerted by the antes is not very significant.
By how many percent does Hero's pushing range become looser in 5-handed games?
| 5-handed | UTG | CO | BU | SB |
| 10 BB | 7.6% | 2.4% | 4.3% | 1.8% |
| 9 BB | 5.4% | 4.5% | 5.2% | 7.1% |
| 8 BB | 3% | 7.9% | 4.5% | -0.9% |
| 7 BB | 4.1% | 4.2% | 3.3% | 6.9% |
| 6 BB | 1.8% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 2.1% |
Generally we can say that the influence antes have on the pushing ranges in 5-handed games decreases considerably in comparison to 6-handed and 7-handed games. A big reason for that is that there simply are fewer chips in the pot preflop. The pushing ranges usually change by 3% to 7%. There are examples in which you need to push tighter in games with antes, as the opponent's calling range becomes looser - or should become looser at least - with antes involved.
Hero with 6 BBs, 4-handed
SB (t4000)
BB (t4000)
Hero (t2500)
BU (t3000)
| Hero with 6 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| CO | 22.8% | 28.2% | +5.4% |
| BU | 31.2% | 36% | +4.8% |
| SB | 62% | 64.7% | +2.7% |
The influence of the antes decreases considerably in 4-handed games. In the SB you can already push with a very wide range anyway. In the CO and BU positions, the pushing range expands by ~5%.
Hero with 7 BBs, 4-handed
SB (t4000)
BB (t4000)
Hero (t2800)
BU (t2700)
| Hero with 7 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| CO | 24.1% | 27.3% | +3.2% |
| BU | 31.2% | 37.6% | +6.4% |
| SB | 71% | 68.6% | -2.4% |
The pushing range in the SB is tighter with antes than it is without. This is due to the somewhat looser calling range of the BB when antes have to be placed.
Hero with 8 BBs, 4-handed
SB (t4000)
BB (t4000)
Hero (t3200)
BU (t2300)
| Hero with 8 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| CO | 25.2% | 31.2% | +7% |
| BU | 36% | 43.3% | +7.3% |
| SB | 73.8% | 83.7% | +9.9% |
With 8 BBs and therefore higher FE against the two blinds, CO and BU can push considerably looser in games with antes than they could with 7 BBs or 6 BBs.
Hero with 9 BBs, 4-handed
SB (t3500)
BB (t3200)
Hero (t3600)
BU (t3200)
| Hero with 9 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| CO | 33.5% | 41.8% | +8.3% |
| BU | 39.7% | 55.1% | +15.4% |
| SB | 100% | 100% | 0% |
With 9 BBs and in the position of the chip leader on the bubble, the ranges have become much looser. In the SB, you don't experience any influences because the pushing range without antes is already at 100%.
Hero with 10 BBs, 4-handed
SB (t3500)
BB (t3000)
Hero (t4000)
BU (t3000)
| Hero with 10 BB in | Pushing range without antes | Pushing range with antes | Result |
| CO | 48.4% | 50.5% | +2.1% |
| BU | 56.6% | 65.3% | +8.7% |
| SB | 100% | 100% | 0% |
By what percentage does Hero's pushing range become looser in 4-handed games with antes?
| 4-handed | CO | BU | SB |
| 10 BB | 2.1% | 8.7% | 0% |
| 9 BB | 8.3% | 15.4% | 0% |
| 8 BB | 7% | 7.3% | 9.9% |
| 7 BB | 3.2% | 6.4% | -2.4% |
| 6 BB | 5.4% | 4.8% | 2.7% |
While the influence of the pushing ranges is not so significant in 4-handed games with 6 BBs and 7 BBs, it does increase considerably with 8 BBs - 10 BBs. With 6 BBs and 7 BBs, there are changes of about 4% - 5%. With 8 BBs - 10 BBs, there are usually changes of around 7% and 10%.
It is also worth analysing a specific position, for example Hero in UTG, taking into account the number of players and his stack size:
The graphs are relatively similar in their trends for 6, 8 and 9 BBs.
Hero in BU:
The antes usually exert the biggest influence on the BU in 4-handed and 7-handed games. The percentages by which the ranges change for the BU are usually not too significant in 5-handed games.
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