SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

I play almost exclusively MTT's and SNG HU, so doing SNG's is somewhat new to me (were talking about the $10 buy in level here). I have gotten the best results playing ultra tight early. Folding anything but TT+ and AK, AQ to a raise.

Maybe its just my small sample set, but calling a raise with suited connectors hasnt shown the payoff i thought it might. EVerybody plays so wildly, that im facing a pretty hefty bet to see the turn.

When the blinds are at 50-100 is when i loosen up. Then we play poker, but those first few levels I dont see much payoff, even if I double up, to play looser.

CAn you loosen up as the buy in goes up? General/specific comments?

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

yes tight early.

starting at $109s, you need to be more creative in the early levels. There are TONS, i mean TONS of donks up to the $55 sngs.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

This checklist has helped me:


[ QUOTE ]
1. Don't get involved in a hand unless the cards DEMAND that you do.
2. Full value from a hand is NOT as important as surviving until the next.
3. Don’t be PASSIVE and let the other guy catch his hand.
RESPECT early position raises, especially late in the game.
4. You need a BETTER HAND to call with than to raise with.
5. Don't call when you KNOW you are beat.
6. Don't call raises with Ax against a full table.
7. Treat playing poker like you are playing for a living.
8. Don't bluff too much.
9. Play to Survive.
10. Don't bet on the river when only a better hand can call.
11. Don't risk a lot to win a little.
12. Don't put advanced moves on novice players.
13. Don't play while tired or distracted.


[/ QUOTE ]

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

Yes.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

[ QUOTE ]
yes tight early.

starting at $109s, you need to be more creative in the early levels.

[/ QUOTE ]

Er, nah you really don't.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

Playing looser preflop should be a strict function of how well you play postflop and position.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

Yes

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

Maybe its just my small sample set, but calling a raise with suited connectors hasnt shown the payoff i thought it might. EVerybody plays so wildly, that im facing a pretty hefty bet to see the turn.

deank,

this is a tournament where holding on to your chips is important. it preserves FE later.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

This is a very good list to go by. Thanks for it.

(Especially the dont' play tired rule, which I break way too often)

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

i was posting specifically bc of that checklist. seems too weak/tight to me. But then, it describes my game in the early levels of SNGs perfectly.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe its just my small sample set, but calling a raise with suited connectors hasnt shown the payoff i thought it might. EVerybody plays so wildly, that im facing a pretty hefty bet to see the turn.

deank,

this is a tournament where holding on to your chips is important. it preserves FE later.

[/ QUOTE ]

ive noticed that... very well put. I also had a discussion with someone that the chips early on have greater value, bc if you lose one chip, your really losing more than that one chip. For two reasons: 1) your FE, however that is quantified (perhaps as some function related to the other stacks at the table), is reduced. 2) if you double up, (and it seems like i do one out of every 2 or 3 i play), then every lost chip is really 2 lost chips.

Thoughts? Is it just playing conservative so that you can play aggressive when it matters?

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

hmm..so dont even limp 9ts on the co with like 2 guys in mp limped? should i really be playing THAT tight?

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

in the SNG's ive been playing, low buy ins and such, there are very few limped pots. a few limp in, then someone invariably freaks out with a mid PP or AJ, and reraises some ridiculous amount. I would only limp when i was confident i wouldnt have to call a raise behind, like if i was in the SB or on the button. just my experience though.

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

[ QUOTE ]
i was posting specifically bc of that checklist. seems too weak/tight to me. But then, it describes my game in the early levels of SNGs perfectly.

[/ QUOTE ]

i was trying to be funny. that list is crap

Re: SNG\'s: is tight right early
 

As long as you know how to be a good shovebot late you dont really have to play anything early.