NLHE: Do you usually win big sometimes or place consistently?

Question

I'm wondering if you guys are getting similar results as me:

Usually, I place in the money very consistently in 45 player SNG's, but I seldom get first. Most of the time, I end up in 4-6 (out of 7 places paid.) However, if I can get to heads up, I win maybe 80% of the time. Here's how my games break down:

out of 10 games

5 placing in the money

Out of 10 times I cash, 1 will be a top 3 finish.

Usually, just by placing, I break even, and the times i finish top 3 are the profit.

So, about 50% cashing in the money, and 5% taking top 3. I'd say I'm pretty consistent, but the cards usually dictate how high I place.

Answer 1

I'd ask if you're making money. Have you looked up your stats on sharkscope? It sounds like you're doing quite well if you're placing half the time and getting in the top 3 one out of every 10 tournaments. If a player were to consistently finish in 7th place 4 times and 3rd place once out of every ten 45 man tournaments he played in, he'd have about a 30% ROI (rate of investment). That's pretty darn good, and would be much higher in you're sprinkling in some higher finishes.

Anyway, go to sharkscope.com if you have not already. You can look yourself up and find out how well you're doing. Also, in the future try and keep accurate records of your own tournament results if you are serious about the game. They will help you determine what areas you need to improve in.

Answer 2

Are you playing the cards, or playing the players?

Once you get to the final table, you must play agressively.

In a small stakes SNG, the players will tend to tighten up near the cash point, loosen a bit once the bubble is burst, then tighten again as the final players fight for the top prize.

Luck, getting the best cards, does have a lot to do with it, but then so does skill. How have your opponents been playing so far? Can they be pushed out? Can you outplay them?

It sounds like you are doing very well at the SNG tables, placing in the money half the time is pretty good poker. Turn on your agressive game a bit more at the final tables and see what happens.

Here is some free poke strategy that may help:

http://www.thedoverpro.com/poker-strateg...

Answer 3

Do you find yourself folding in spots b/c you are afraid to get knocked out near the money bubble?? My guess based on your results is yes.

You are most likely playing too passive. In order to show a profit over an extended period of time you will need to increase your winning percentage. Change your mindset, your goal should be to win not cash

Increase your aggression near or on the money bubble and play to win. You will see an decrease in the percentage of games you cash in, but you should see an increase in your winning percentage and in turn, Money Won... which is the only real stat that matters.

*J3o is well behind even a random hand. If you are calling SB shoves with hands like J3, you need to reexamine your game.

*I'm not sure how you wind up with a stack of half an M. You should be open shoving in late position with even a random hand well before you stack ever gets close to 3 Ms. It appears you are playing way to tight/passive waiting for the "right" hand trying to make it into the money. As I said in my original answer, you should be playing to win... not cash.