Part: Part Ten - Adjusting to Different Stacks

Big stack versus big stack

Pre-flop
Blinds 400 / 800 (100 ante)Pot 3,900 (4.9 BB)You: big stack • avoid the other big stackBTNA♣7♣● 60,000 (75 BB)YOUto actCO● 58,000 (72.5 BB)Other big stackraises 1,800 (2.2 BB)SB● 58,000 (72.5 BB)posts 400 (0.5 BB)BB● 58,000 (72.5 BB)posts 800 (1 BB)D

There are two big stacks at the table. The other big stack - who covers you - opens from the cutoff, and you're on the button with A♣7♣.

Two big stacks; the other one (who covers you) opens, you hold A♣7♣ on the button. Best?

WhyFold. Don't start wars with the only player who can cripple you. Three-betting A-7 into the covering big stack invites a re-jam you'll have to fold to, and flatting plays a big pot out of necessity. Save your chips and aggression for the medium stacks you dominate.
What happensYou fold.  Big-stack-versus-big-stack without a hand is a trap.
Two big stacks at a table should mostly stay out of each other's way - you avoided a marginal confrontation with the one opponent who could cripple you, and saved your pressure for the mediums.

Big stacks should avoid clashing with each other - don't risk your stack against the only player who can cripple you without a real hand.