[ballen]

Here is my question. At a full table, playing low-limit (2/4, 3/6), with the players not particularly tight/loose, say that you are in late position with A6 or A7 unsuited. Ordinarily, I muck these cards. But suppose that everyone has folded to the blinds when you have to act (and there are 1-2 players to act after you). Would you call or raise with such a hand, on the theory that your calling/raising standards now should be lowered to a 4-5 person table?

I am not really asking whether it is worth trying to steal, because you are in late position. I'm trying to figure out whether you should analyze the quality of your hand in the context of the number of people who were originally dealt cards, or in the context of the number of players who are still in the hand.

I assume that the quality of the hand still needs to be assessed in the context of how many people were dealt cards. In that case, your decision whether to call or raise would still be informed by the knowledge that you have a weak kicker. But I find myself reflexively thinking about this when I am in late position and everyone has folded to the blinds.

[norshvind]

With two players left to act behind me, I would fold these cards without a second thought. If I were one foo the button, I MIGHT open raise if I believe the button would fold to a raise if he didn't have a playable hand. If the button folds, you have bought the button and now have position if either of the blinds calls. From the button I would come in with a raise hoping to steal the blinds. Even if I get called, my ace may be good against one or two opponents.