SNGs at UB better than Party?

wadea · #1 01-25-2005, 06:11 PM

I started out playing SNGs at UB. You start with 1000 chips and the blinds are like 5/10. I think level 5 is 50/100. After reading here about how fishy party is, I opened an account there and started playing their SNGs. I found them to be much more of a crapshoot. You get fewer starting chips and the blinds start higher and escalate faster. I'm pretty sure I'm correct in thinking that this format takes some advantage away from the skilled player compared to the UB format.

The only redeeming quality I've found about Party SNGs over UB is that they're a bit faster to finish. What do you guys think?

-wadea

deedbr · #2 01-25-2005, 06:30 PM

I have also experimented with both formats.
I am doing far better at UB because of the extra time provided.

The party format feels that if you play tight the first few rounds and do not accumalate chips then it is just an all in fest.

However the fact that you can play an event in 40 minutes on Party compared to around 80 minutes for UB you can see why I want to learn how to play on Party. Those numbers are just aproximations but I have recorded wins that have taken longer than 90 minutes on UB.

The problem is I have been unable to make the adjustment from UB to Party. It feels that with so few chips that a smaller stack does not want to lay a hand down after the 4th round.

I'm still trying to adjust and figure out what I can do differently. I think I need to look again at my short hand starting hands.

Deedbr

SpeakEasy · #3 01-25-2005, 07:03 PM

I completely agree about the difference between Party and UB SNGs. There was a thread on here months ago in which someone compared the blind levels and starting stacks in more detail, and concluded that the smaller starting stack on Party creates little significant difference. I don't buy it.

If you're playing tight-aggressive on Party, you won't get involved in many hands (if any) until about the 3rd or 4th round. On Party, getting involved in a hand in the 4th round takes 1/3 to 1/2 of your stack, unless you have accumulated significant chips in the first 1-3 rounds. Much less skill, much more luck.

On UB or PStars, try the 6-player tables. Payout to the top 2 spots. 4 fewer starting players, with only one less payout, and significantly less time investment. I've found that at least one or two of the players on the 6-player SNG table usually busts out just like the first 1-3 players on a normal 9-10 player table -- getting involved in too many hands early, taking hands too far, etc.

Dominic · #4 01-25-2005, 10:00 PM

I agree with the last poster...I play UB 6-handed SNGs almost exclusively now....I've tried Party a few times and it really does seem like a total crap shoot - either double up early in order to be able to play strategically sound poker in the later rounds, or sit tight, choose a hand when it gets to level 4 or 5, push and get lucky.

UB (especially the 6-handed games) puts a premium on 3-handed and HU play. A lot of the times you're down to 2 or 3 people and the blinds are still relatively small - now you can play poker!

As I don't play more than 4 tables at one time, I'm usually done with a SNG I win in under an hour.

Xhiggy · #5 01-25-2005, 11:31 PM

faster structure = faster turnover. while some of the advantage is taken away, the players on party and the fast turnover make party much more profitable.

deedbr · #6 01-26-2005, 12:32 AM

I do agree that the party players are fishy. I also see the advantage of the faster structure in my overall profit.

However I have not been able to adapt to the structure. I know that it is possible, but I am missing something. It is something that I am working on and I am trusting that I will make the change.

It is just frustrating that when I quit a session at Party where I make almost no headway and I go over to UB and continue to win.

I am not one to blame it on card conspiracies. I know the fault is my own.

However that knowledge alone is not enough to make my sessions at Party profitable yet.

Deedbr

Pepsquad · #7 01-26-2005, 01:43 AM

I like UB much better. And I agree with previous posters regarding the 6-person SNG's. It isn't uncommon to be 3 handed at the 50-100 blind level. The only thing I have against the 6 man structure is that 2nd place doesn't even double up their entry fee! That's pretty rough. However I find it is uber-easy to finish in the top two of these games. IMHO.

flyingmoose · #8 01-26-2005, 02:51 AM

In my experience, Party has been a lot more profitable, but a lot less fulfilling. I don't feel like I'm playing poker when I'm playing a Party SnG; the format just leads to strategies that are far too formulaic for my tastes.

If you need money, I'd advise you learn to win in the Party format, because you can achieve an unreal ROI at the <30+3 levels when you become comfortable with the format. If you want to learn to become a better poker player, I'd stick to UB.

MasterShake · #9 01-26-2005, 02:33 PM

SpeakEasy and Dominic (or any other experienced player) what are your ROI and ITM numbers for UB 6 player STT? At which buy in?

Thanks - MasterShake

revots33 · #10 01-26-2005, 02:53 PM

IMO Stars has the best SNG format of all - however their players are considered better. But, I think their format rewards skill much more than Party, and that outweighs any other advantages Party might have. I've played both, and personally I've done better and had more consistency at Stars.

I'd imagine that if you did this for a living, and hourly win rate was your biggest concern, then Party's shorter structure might be a big advantage. I play mainly for entertainment, so I'm willing to spend a little longer on each tournament if I feel it improves my overall chances.