Single Table SNGs?

Question

I've decided to try a new experiment. Each month I'm only going to focus on one particular type of game. For example, one month I might try only MTTs, another month only limit cash games, another only NL cash games, etc.

This month I'm going to play only low limit ($5-6) single table SNGs, from 6 to 10 players.

My basic strategy is this: Play extremely tight for at least 3 levels (10/20-30/60). Play only premium hands (AA-JJ, AK-AQ) in the early and middle positions, loosen up slightly (any pairs, AJ, ATs, KQ, KJ, QJ) in late positions. Essentially, go after small pots against the minimum number of players, try to double up when I hit monster hands, otherwise stay out of the way and let the other players battle each other.

Around mid-levels (50/100-100/200), loosen up slightly, try the occasional bluff from position and steal blinds when there are no callers behind me, but still play tight and conservative.

When antes kick in, that will depend more on my chip stack.

Answer 1

Well thought out strategy; just avoid being too predictable.  Anyone who's paying attention will figure it out and it will be hard to get "paid" on some of those early big hands you are playing.  They'll know you have a monster.  

Maybe play a level higher, $10 or $15 sng's.  $5 players can be very tight, because they're down to the felt and playing so tight that the game gets boring.  Sometimes there's more dead money on the table in a slightly bigger game.

Patience will be the key to your success.  Your plan will get boring after awhile and you will be tempted to leave it.  I know it happens to me.

Answer 2

i think you should concetrate on and perfect one kind of game at a time this way you can expect to win more in the games you are best at in case you have a big down run and need to get back up with out alot of hassle

Answer 3

Sound well thought out and may be very successful. Changing gears is always a good idea and mix it up just to throw the other off once in awhile. Only playing premium hands may cost you money, but you wont lose on a marginal hand. Be careful of the team players at the middle positions.

Answer 4

Be very aggressive at the end!

Answer 5

This is a very basic poker strategy as you said.  This is nothing new.  However every table is different because the players will be different.

Even though I said it is "very basic" it is a good strategy, however poker is not this mechanical all the time.  You may never get the premium hands when the blinds are low as easily as every other hand is a premium hand while the blinds are low...

There are two problems I see with this strategy  1) the blinds do go up and you may be really low stacked when they get higher.  Part of the key to survival in a SNG is chip accumulation. 2) What do you do if you don't get premimum hands in the beginning or your premium hands get cracked?

It's a good strategy, but there is way more to a strategy then just this...good starting point --- try it out and let us all know how it works.

Answer 6

I like everything you said with the exception of limping with "strong drawing hands" when you're short stacked.  I guess my question would be 1) what is your definition of short stacked and 2) what is your definition of a strong drawing hand.  I dislike it only because if you are limping into pots on a short stack, the bigger stacks can put raises in to force you out of a hand.  And because you are a short stack, those chips are far more valuable to you.  I'd much rather you push your hands than limp, especially on the short stack.  Other than that, it sounds like a solid strategy (in fact, one I employ myself).  Good Luck!

Answer 7

Unless you're playing on ultimate bet or another site that randomly sits players, watch collusion.  

I'm not sure I like only focusing on one type of game each month.  It seems like you're limiting yourself a lot here.  Other than that your ST SNG strategy sounds pretty solid.

Answer 8

i think your strategy for playing the tournaments themselves is very good, but i don't like this experiment and i would bet money that this will eventually hurt you if you stick to it...the reason for this is if you start running bad and continue to commit to this experiment, you may end up playing worse because you've been banging your head against the wall for say two weeks and you're just going to keep going back and playing the same game? for me, and i think for most players, one way to get away from running bad is to switch out of your regular game, and committing to this experiment would not allow you to do that and could theoretically cost you money