Part: Part Eleven - Short Tables

Stealing is mandatory

Pre-flop
5-handed • Blinds 400 / 800Pot 1,200 (1.5 BB)BTNJ♦7♦● 20,000 (25 BB)YOUfolded to youSB● 20,000 (25 BB)posts 400 (0.5 BB)BB● 20,000 (25 BB)posts 800 (1 BB)D

Five-handed. It folds to you on the button with J♦7♦.

Five-handed, folded to you on the button with J♦7♦. Best?

WhyRaise to steal. Five-handed the blinds hit you constantly, so stealing is mandatory income, not optional. J-7 suited on the button with only the blinds behind is a clear steal - folding it surrenders the blinds you need.
What happensYou raise; the blinds fold.  Mandatory steal collected.
Short-handed you can't wait for premiums - the blinds come too fast, so stealing the button is income you must take. J-7 suited is well within a five-handed button range.

Stealing is mandatory short-handed - the blinds come around so fast that you must attack them, especially from the button.