Getting better but I want more

First post. Love this site its been helping me alot!

I been playing poker about 2 months. One month of home games then I started playing on PS with a 50$ BR. I been playing alot of the turbo 1.75 SNG's and found I either do really well or flop out early in the game. So far just to give you an idea I have won 1st about 4 times. 2nd about 5-6 times and 3rd-4th a whole wackload of times. But I also have an almost equal amount of Losses and big ones at that. Finishing 18th-19th. I really want to improve but once the cards hit the table I find myself just feeling it out vs checking my pot odds / implied odds and checking my outs vs percentage of drawing my cards. I even have texas calculate em to help me with my odds and outs. What else can I do to improve? Would pokertracker be a valuable tool? Should I pump up my BR and move up to the 5$ SNG's so that players wont be so erratic and different each time? Im at a loss as to how I can finish so strong and dominate one game then the next im the one being chased off the board in 19th position. Sorry for the ramblings. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

- Shaun

Check the 'are my SNG stats good?' post inthe SNG forum, sounds like you are fine. A part of placing first is being willing to finish last. Post HHs of spots where you're going out early if you're in doubt about whether you played it correctly.

In SNG play you want to play fewer draws, hold less truck in implied odds and rely more on solid hands like top pairs and good kickers. Be careful that you're not just playing solid ring strategy - a move that has a 30% chance of winning might have great pot and implied odds, but it also gives you a 70% chance of being dumped out of the tourney.

It's all one big tourney.

What, life? And I'm holding 93o? That explains a lot :(

y

seriously, first 2-3 blind levels it's ALL about implied odds. I'd much rather see 66 or 54s early than AA.

Look at the hands that you got knocked out with, if they are hands in which you were ahead and got sucked out - thats part of life. If those are marginal hands you played too agressively it is a leak.
As far as I remeber those are 18 people Sng. Play really tight the first 2-3 levels, let all the loose maniacs bust out or double up, and try to find your spot to double up in.
Once it is down to less then 14 players you have to play more hands because otherwise the blinds will eat you out when you are 5-6 people in the table

About moving up to the $5 Sng - make sure you have the bankroll for it - 15 Sng buy ins at least.
In addition remember that the non-turbo Sng are different then the turbo ones - in the turbo you will find more players who are loose/agressive and willing to go for coinfips