Note: This FAQ is in the process of being updated so the links below are just a stopgap until I finish the update.
Welcome to the FTR Sit N Go Tourney Tactics Forum! It's good to have you here. Below is a collection of the most frequently asked questions (hence FAQ ;)) on this forum.
Bankroll requirements for SNGs/should I move up?
- The generally accepted rule is that you should have 30 buyins for the level you want to play. This is because even if you play perfectly, the variance at SNGs can be severe with 10 OOTM streaks and 30+ buyin drops entirely possible. If you are a strong player, at the $5 and $11 level 20-25 buyins might be sufficient, and for higher buyins like $50 and above you might want 50 buyins. Most who play SNGs for a living have at least 100 buyins.
- If you have the bankroll but are nervous about moving up, a strategy that I have adopted and recommended is to play your current level until you win a SNG, then take a shot at the next level. If you finish ITM in that one then keep on playing that level, if you finish OTM then drop back down until you win another one. Rinse and repeat until you feel comfortable playing the new level permanently.
- There is no shame in moving back down if your BR drops below your chosen threshold (30, 50 or whatever)! Whatever you do, if you run bad at your new level DON'T chase your losses by moving up yet another level - this is a recipe for busto.
Here and here are some good threads discussing bankroll requirements and whether to move up.
What is a good ROI/ITM?
- The issue with determining what is a "good" ROI/ITM is that it is very dependent upon your sample size. To get a sense for your "true" ROI at any given level you need to have played many thousands of SNGs, and particularly at the lower levels, any winning player will have moved up long before they have an adequate sample size.
That said, below are a couple of tables that set out a couple of views as to what "good" stats might be:
Code:Buyin ITM% ROI%
$3.40 40-50% 25%+
$5.50 40-50% 25%+
$6.50 38-45% 20-25%
$11 40-45% 20-25%
$16 38-44% 12-20%
$20 38-45% 12-20%
$27 38-43% 10-15%
$33 37-42% 10-15%
$50 36-42% 8-13%
$60 36-42% 8-13%
$100+ 36-42% 5-10%
How do normals compare to turbos/speeds? Why play one or the other?Quote:
Originally Posted by 2+2 FAQ
There has been a lot of discussion about normals vs. turbos. Generally accepted wisdom is that normals have a slightly higher ROI but turbos have a higher $ earn rate per hour. Turbos probably suit players who don't like to play much postflop and are comfortable with preflop push/fold play.
Here and here are some threads comparing normals to turbos.
What is SNGPT/SNG Wiz? Why should consider buying one or the other? How do they compare? Can I use them in game?
- Sit N Go Power Tools (SNGPT) and SitNGo Wizard are tools that combine Pokerstove and an ICM calculator. Basically, they help you analyse whether to push all in or call an all-in at the late stages of single table SNGs. In my opinion they are essential tools for any serious single table SNG player.
- Both have downloadable demos/trial periods so if you don't already have one of them, download them and take a look. They will open your eyes!
- The main difference between them (apart from interface) is that SNG Wiz allows you to analyse hands where somebody has limped or raised in front, whilst SNGPT only allows you to analyse hands where you are open pushing or calling an all-in.
- You can't use SNGPT or SNG Wiz real time, their programmers deliberately designed them NOT to be able to be used like this. If you really want to use one of these tools real time, you need Sit N Go End Game Tools. Personally I would prefer to learn how to push/fold all-in without a software aid, but that's just me.
- Setting appropriate calling ranges are essential with any of these tools! Garbage in = garbage out. The default calling ranges are not always appropriate so make sure you set your own.
- This (http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...iz-143435.html) is a thread on how to get the best out of SNGPT/SNG Wiz and how to play with its variables. Here is a similar thread.
- What's the difference between SNG Power Tools and SNG Wizard?
- A downloadable ICM calculator is available from here
I'd like to review a more experienced player's HH. Where can I find these?
Below are a collection of some of FTR's Sit N Go Tourney Tactics more experienced players. They have commented on HHs of tourneys they have played. They by no means always play perfectly so feel free to comment or ask questions!
- $27 turbo at Stars by taipan168
- $16 turbo at Stars by GatorJH
- Another $27 turbo by taipan168
- A $5.50 18-person tourney by Sprayed
- $5.50 normal played by taipan168
- SNG experiment North America - Some of FTR's most experienced North American SNG players play each other and comment on their thought processes for each hand
- Euro SNG Experiment - The same thing but with FTR's European SNGers
- March 2007 SNG experiment
- July 2007 SNG experiment
- September 2007 SNG experiment
- January 2008 SNG experiment
- June 2008 SNG experiment
What the hell do I do when I have KK and an ace comes on the flop?
Here are a couple of threads that address this very frustrating (and commonly misplayed) situation:
- Classic thread on having KK in position, raise/re-raise preflop, flop comes A high.
- Same situation but without the preflop re-raise. Also addresses the common misconception of "betting to see where you're at"
- Another hand that illustrates how we can lose the least amount of chips with an A on the flop, whilst getting value from hands we beat.
What about Double or Nothing tournaments?
- Here and here are some threads where the double or nothing format is discussed.
I keep on suffering bad beats due to donkeys sucking out on my AA/KK/whatever when I had the best hand, what can I do?
- Nothing. If you got your chips in good, there's nothing you can do. Keep on getting your chips in good and you'll win in the long run. If you're wondering whether you did in fact get your chips in good, post the hand!
- Whatever you do, DON'T believe the old chestnut, "I should move up to a higher buyin because I won't get these fish who call my preflop raises with crap and suck out on me". This is nonsense. Whilst players at higher buyins do tend to play tighter, they will be MUCH more aggressive and pwn you in so many other ways. You want to play against bad players!
- Read this thread that addresses the four stages that players go through in dealing with bad beats.
- If that doesn't console you, let me tell you a story. Say I give you a standard 6-sided die and tell you that if you roll 1-4, I give you $10, if you roll 5-6 you give me $10. Don't you keep on rolling that die until your arm drops off or until I go broke? Sure, you could roll 5-6 several times in a row but over the long term this is a great bet. Now, assume I made the bet $1 million - unless you are very wealthy you shouldn't be rolling the die at all even though you're getting great odds (aka bankroll management is very important).
SNG Statistics
Post your SNG Stats here
Most SNGs lost in a row
How Do you calculate ROI?
Discussions On SNG Statistics
Link 1
Link 2
Keeping track of SNG Statistics
Wheres that spreadsheet that keeps track of SNG results?
I dont want a spreadsheet to keep track of SNGs, I want a program to do it.
Headsup Links
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
(really good post below)
Link 4
SNG Math
What is ICM?
Using ICM
What Is EV???
The "Because you posted it" Syndrome
