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?

[Hornacek]

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.

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 ]

[Roman]

Yes.

[tigerite]

[ QUOTE ]
yes tight early.

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Er, nah you really don't.

[durron597]

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

Yes

[Maulik]

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.

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

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

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.