chip leader calls

When you're the chip leader in the final stages of a tournament, you have to make a lot of bad calls. But, it's the right decision. Whenever you have the chance to knock out your opponent -- and you're down to the final few players -- you have to go for it.
But, I only make these plays when I am the chip leader, the action will be heads-up, and I have already locked up prize money. I don't gamble unless all of these things are true.

With A4s in the big blind (400), I called an all-in from the button after the small blind folded. The button raised another 500; I had more than 3000 chips and was chip leader. The button had KK, but a 4 on the flop and river sent him packing. Holding a suited ace actually made this a harder play to make, since I could easily have been dominated.

With 73o in the big blind, I called a raise that was just under the size of the big blind. The raiser showed 44, but a 7 on the flop sent him home.

A4s and 73o are not powerhouse hands. But, the adage that the more chips you hold, the less valuable each one becomes holds true. If your stack will be relatively unchanged whether or not you call the raise, but you have a chance to knock someone out and move up in prize money, you have to make the play and gamble a bit.