Quote Originally Posted by Shifter
I've had a few problems with short stackers. Here are my thoughts...

1. What strategic feature of playing short stacked makes it effective?
The most common behaviour I've seen is a player going all-in, frequently with debatable cards. They manage to steal a fair few blinds and sometimes randomly hit a straight/flush with mediocre cards. More often though, they lose it all when faced with a solid TAG player.

2. How can Hero counter that effectiveness and even exploit it as a weakness?
By playing more tightly and looking after your stack. It's tempting sometimes to simply call them, but restraint and sticking to what you know is what I've found works best. Play only cards you're confident in and get as many reads on them as possible. My only experience is at the micros however - I can't speak for higher stakes.

3. What method(s) of game play and table management will allow Hero to counter most often?
Position. Am I right in thinking the most advantageous place is to be sitting to the right of those short stackers?
1. This is an outcome, not a strategic feature. Decent SS-rs play very specific combos in ways that force YOU to play "debatable" cards.

2. Yes, you should refuse to play certain types of hands. But which type? And why?

3. This is part of it, but why?