New to SNG's, question on pre-flop play.

[tewall]

A difference between lower limit SNG play and live play is that in live play and +EV situation is worth pursuing. In SNG's, you have a big edge in the end game play, if you understand the fundamentals. Plus there's a premium on surviving. So putting these things together provides motivation for being tighter than you would be in ring play. Situations where you have a clear edge should be pursued, but marginal situations should be avoided.

So in the call-with-a-pair example you gave, if you think calling is clearly +EV, go ahead an call. However, if you're unsure or think the edge will be a small one, you're probably better off waiting for a better opportunity.

On the 5-10% rule, if you stick to 5%, that will probably work out fine. You want the situation to be very favorable to play drawing hands, like being in last position and having several people limping in front of you. Actually this is just like a live game, but just with more emphasis on the draw being very favorable.