Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

Due to work/kids, I don't have time to play MTTs very often. They just last too long. In general, I'm a ring game player, but I go back and forth when I find myself getting bored with ring games.

What's frustrating about the SnG is when I play perfectly for 45 minutes and get great cards, but then lose on the bubble because 1 hand went the wrong way. When this happens, all I can think is "if this had been a ring game, I'd still way up".

If some fish takes me out, I'm frustrated that I can't get my money back (and then some) like I could in a side game.

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

Because short-term results rule!

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

[ QUOTE ]
Grinding away multitabling (limit) ring games, applying the same methodology over and over (in the context of fewer, and less changing variables) kind of reminds me of my days back in school - cramming for some test, going over some rule/principle for the 16th time so that I have it absolutely memorized, even though I understood it's logical components by the 2nd time.

Playing SNGs, with their constantly shifting variables (and unique variable combinations) means I get to solve a new problem every time I play an SNG. It's refreshing/more stimulating.

[/ QUOTE ]I think this is why I like SNGs as well. Plus they're well defined financially - I know that I'm going to play 4 $5+.50s today, so that's a maximum risk of $22.

I play at both UB and PS, and which site I play at depends on the type of game I want that day. UB's structure means that I can play a little tighter at first, and as long as I get to t2500 by hand 60 I'm ok. PS means I have to bet far more aggressively, even with t1500 to start, because the blind structure goes up faster and if I'm not at t2500 after 40 hands, I'm going have a big problem. I'm just starting out (<50 SNGs on each), but with +ROI so I'm happy for now.

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

[ QUOTE ]
Grinding away multitabling (limit) ring games, applying the same methodology over and over (in the context of fewer, and less changing variables) kind of reminds me of my days back in school - cramming for some test, going over some rule/principle for the 16th time so that I have it absolutely memorized, even though I understood it's logical components by the 2nd time.

Playing SNGs, with their constantly shifting variables (and unique variable combinations) means I get to solve a new problem every time I play an SNG. It's refreshing/more stimulating.

And if you play tons of hours like I do, less mouse clicks with SNGs = less carpal tunnel issues.

Downside of SNGs = I throw more things across the room in disgust (but nothing broken yet). The "suddennes of one's demise" certainly can make for heightened emotional responses.

[/ QUOTE ]

As usual Gramps...great analogy! Rote application of general priciples vs creative application?

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

I generally suck in ring games, and have always been a better tournament player. Like you said to start this off, I can wait all day for a good tournament hand, but in ring games I just get frustrated and play way too loose. Plus SNG's and tournaments are more interesting to me from a strategy standpoint. I can't tell you how many times I've played in a ring game and made plays I KNOW are bad, but I just kept on making them. I know that has more to do with me than anything else, but knowing yourself is at least some of the battle, right?

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

two things

much lower variance than big MTTs

much more interesting than ring



to be honest though, i'm primarily a ring game player. #1 factor has always been the hourly rate, and ring is where its highest (for me anyways)

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

FUN!

I just started doing the Bonus Whore thing (Internet Forum) and this has been great for $, but playing 4 tables of NL ring games for thousands of hands is MINDLESSLY boring to me. After a month of ring games, I am finally back to SnG's clearing bonuses at Poker Room and Poker Stars (can't do this at Empire, Party, etc) and I realize how much more fun they are than the ring games.

I'm playing poker for fun more than anything so to me, SnG's are the best thing going.

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

I enjoy s&g's too but for all you ring dissenters try lagging up a 6max table.

Just as much fun as long as you dont mind a bit of variance.

Paul

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

I also think SnG strategy is not widely known or studied. I think the majority of the lower buyins are populated with poker players taking shots at something different. They are either bored with ring games and need a break or they are killing time while playing or waiting for an MTT.

Re: Reasons I (or You) Enjoy SNGs
 

Maybe I'm a weirdo... I like both ring and SnG's. They do bring different things to the table, though.

I like the payout vs. investment of SnG's.

I like the fact that in ring games the money I win is mine, all mine!

I like the competitiveness of SnG's. I seem to play players more, rather than cards.

But I like the theories and numbers involved in ring games. Calculating pot equity, pot odds, chances of hitting, what does the other guy have.

I like the fact that no matter how bad I play in SnG's, I only lose my buy-in.

I like ring games because if I play a big hand and lose I can keep playing and with patience will get that money back.

I like SnG's advancing blinds/stakes so that loose players get penalized more heavily, generally.

I just really like poker.

KO