My SNG Woes

[Maulik]

After playing a handful of SNGs last night I'm beginning to find the area I need most improvement in my play. I'm having trouble managing an 8-12bb stack 5-6 handed. For those of you who have overcome this struggle, would you be willing to share HHs where these conditions are met?

[durron597]

Don't have time to find HHs now but after reading all the advice on this forum I definitely ended up being too aggressive in this period. Once I tightened up in this area (just a tiny little bit) my results skyrocketed.

[ChrisV]

The answer to your problem is this: fold.

You basically shouldn't be playing a hand unless you're willing to commit with the hand. Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[vabogee]

[ QUOTE ]
Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Raiser]

[ QUOTE ]
The answer to your problem is this: fold.

You basically shouldn't be playing a hand unless you're willing to commit with the hand. Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

So for example, fold your 55 on the button (when folded to)?

I have been folding in spots like these because this isn't a hand that I want to commit to.

Is this going too far?

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
The answer to your problem is this: fold.

You basically shouldn't be playing a hand unless you're willing to commit with the hand. Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, that's it in a nut shell.

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The answer to your problem is this: fold.

You basically shouldn't be playing a hand unless you're willing to commit with the hand. Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

So for example, fold your 55 on the button (when folded to)?

I have been folding is spots like these because this isn't a hand that I want to commit to.

Is this going too far?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would fold or push depending on the blinds, the players left, and the stacks around the table. Folding there is often fine, and rarely a mistake of consequence IMO.

[Nicholasp27]

well if u have 8-10bbs, then u either push or fold, cause any decent raise is too big of ur stack

don't call raises except with very premium hands...try to enter pots first when the big stack(s) have already folded and stacks near your size (within 2-3bbs or so) are on the bb...especially helps when there is a 4bb stack left with 4 left...like if the stacks are 4000(folded)/800(folded)/1600(you)/1600(bb) with 100/200 blinds, then you can push more hands than usual here and get 300 blinds, which is another 20% of your stack...the bb wants the 800 gone and won't want a coin flip

[ChrisV]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, that was a bit unclear. What I meant is that pretty soon you'll either nail someone for a double-up, or you'll get blinded or blinds will increase so that your stack isn't 8-12 BB anymore. Medium-short stack play is lots of folding followed by lots of moving allin.

[GtrHtr]

This is likely the result of the added level 5. I have taken my foot off the gas a little and tightened up some at this stage - looking for spots to double up vs an all in fest. Play your stack as it relates to the other players and wait for a spot to double up and some overly aggressive mistakes by the other players.

[ChrisV]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The answer to your problem is this: fold.

You basically shouldn't be playing a hand unless you're willing to commit with the hand. Solidity is the key, wait for the game state to change and then respond to that.

[/ QUOTE ]

So for example, fold your 55 on the button (when folded to)?

I have been folding in spots like these because this isn't a hand that I want to commit to.

Is this going too far?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I don't think so. 8 is getting pretty borderline, with less than 8 I think you should definitely shove.

I don't have a problem with raising either. But blind stealing with medium stacks is just not that important. If you find it making you uncomfortable, just dispense with it. Even if it's costing you small EV, it simplifies your playing, which will help you play more tables at once if you want to.

Blind stealing in the mid game does not win SNGs. SNGs are won by not wasting your stack early and by proper pushing technique when the blinds are huge. If you grind out a 25 chip edge here 49 times and then the 50th time you blunder and lose your stack, you've probably cost yourself all the gains.

[wuwei]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't have time to find HHs now but after reading all the advice on this forum I definitely ended up being too aggressive in this period. Once I tightened up in this area (just a tiny little bit) my results skyrocketed.

[/ QUOTE ]

[valenzuela]

With 10x-12x the BB I prefer to do 2,5x the BB raises( only with good hands). That strategy is for the 11s-22s when ppl only reraise with monsters.