SNG Playing style

Hello All!

I have been lurking here for awhile but this is my first post.

I have been playing poker seriously for only about 4 months now. I was just wondering what your guys' playing style is when you are playing SNG's.

I usually play really tight in the first 3 levels, usually not even playing one or two hands. In the next three levels, I tighten up even more and only play Pocket Aces through Jacks. I will take the opportunity to steal some blinds if I think I can, though. Then, in the levels after this, usually after the bubble, I loosen my game up and start gambling a little bit. The only problem is by this point, I am usually the short stack becuase I haven't been playing many hands and I usually finish in 3rd. Would you guys recommend playing a little looser in the earlier levels to try and build your stack up so you have a little better chance of winning when you're ITM?

I know this is probably a dumb question, but I had to ask.

[zambonidrivr]

take cover

[tshort]

I would lurk around the forum, read the FAQ, and use the search function to find general strategy posts.

You are way too tight in levels 3+.

[Big Limpin']

if you are reching the bubble with an average stack, then you aren't getting there enough.

i think most everyone who makes money with sng plays in a manner similar to what you mention...tight early, then ramping up aggression progressively. this translates to >30% ITM, with the (less critical) consequence of having a below average stack in the midgame, "on average". heh

[splashpot]

Lurk harder. And read everything here (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1918735&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=7&o=&fpart=1).

[sahala]

Read through this thread (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1918735&page=1&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=7#Post2623094).

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I usually play really tight in the first 3 levels, usually not even playing one or two hands.


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Good. You'll need a non-crappy stack to be effective later.

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In the next three levels, I tighten up even more and only play Pocket Aces through Jacks.


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Not good. You should be opening up, and getting in some more steals. The link above has plenty of information on how to play common situations.

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Then, in the levels after this, usually after the bubble, I loosen my game up and start gambling a little bit. The only problem is by this point, I am usually the short stack becuase I haven't been playing many hands and I usually finish in 3rd.


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You're counting on others to bust out before you. Sometimes this works, but even if it does, as you noticed, you don't have enough of a stack to really play ITM and get those 1sts that you really need.

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Would you guys recommend playing a little looser in the earlier levels to try and build your stack up so you have a little better chance of winning when you're ITM?

I know this is probably a dumb question, but I had to ask.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a dumb question. Most posters might not remember a time when they were playing scared and passive on the bubble, but it's just one of those initial obstacles every 1-tabler has to get through.

You should also post hands here, whether you think you played them well or not.

Good luck.

Play 1000 sit and gos. As long as you are somewhat of a winning player this will benefit you the most as long as you try to learn from every play you make.

SNGS require a lot of math and knowledge of how to play correct icm poker etc. But nothing substitutes for experience.

[MegaBet]

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I know this is probably a dumb question

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It was.

[MegaBet]

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SNGS late in the game when the blinds are large require a lot of math and knowledge of how to play correct icm poker etc. But nothing substitutes for experience.

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FYP

[raaustge]

Good to see people making repsonses that help people trying to learn for the first time, instead of the sarcasm from some people in this forum.

[Cactus Jack]

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Good to see people making repsonses that help people trying to learn for the first time, instead of the sarcasm from some people in this forum.

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Old country saying: "Don't poke the bear." /images/graemlins/smile.gif