This week we’re playing a common final table tournament spot where we are defending the Big Blind as a medium stack against the chip leader at the table. Due to the presence of final table pay jumps and 2 shorter stacks, there is significant ICM pressure on us in this spot. We are highly incentivized to avoid getting stacked while the 2 shorter stacks are still alive at this final table.
Because of this, the chip leader in the Cutoff seat can open raise preflop with a much wider range than normal. Our defense range in the Big Blind is narrower than it would be if there were no pay jump considerations.