Part: Part Thirteen - Miscellaneous

Exploiting a scared player

Pre-flop
Blinds 400 / 800Pot 1,200 (1.5 BB)Final table • he's playing not-to-bustBTNA♣6♣● 30,000 (37.5 BB)YOUyou cover himSBfoldsBB● 22,000 (27.5 BB)Playing scaredprotecting a pay jumpD

At the final table, one opponent has visibly tightened up to protect a pay jump - he's folding almost everything. He's in the big blind, and it folds to you on the button with A♣6♣.

A scared player protecting a pay jump is in the BB; folded to you with A♣6♣. Best?

WhyYou have watched him tighten to a vise to protect the pay jump, and a player that afraid of busting is folding hands he should be defending - which quietly gives you a license to raise. Target his blind specifically and often; A-6 suited plays fine, but here you are not raising the cards, you are raising the fear.
What happensHe folds his blind again, and the pattern holds - single out the one player guarding a pay jump and make him pay for his caution, pot after pot.
Fear leaks chips: spot the player protecting a pay jump, then raise into him relentlessly - his refusal to risk his stack becomes your steadiest source of chips at the final table.

Endgame reads are as valuable as ranges - when an opponent plays not-to-bust, his over-folding is an exploit you attack with a much wider stealing range.