Moving up prematurely because of SNG buy-in fee?

Is this a terrible idea? I played a ton of play money SNGs where I had success, so I deposited $50, I've played less than 20 games (most of them in an impaired state :oops: ), and I'm currently up $2.30. I've been playing strictly $1+.20 games, but in looking at the buy-in fees for other levels, this seems really high. The next step up is $3+.40 (3x the prize pool for just 2x the fee) and then $5+.50 (5x the prize pool for just 2.5x the fee).

I think playing the $5+.50s would be a horrible idea since it means that I have less than 10 buy-ins, and it probably represents a pretty big jump in player ability. With the $3+.40s though, I have slightly more than 15 buy-ins, and I'm (perhaps inappropriately) confident in my ability to win at that level.

In the $1+.20s, the buy-in fee is 13.3% of the prize pool. In the $3+.40s, it's 12.6% of the prize pool. Is this enough of a reason to move up prematurely? If 15 buy-ins is simply too early, would 20 or so buy-ins (about $65) be reasonable?

I'm not advocating moving up early in general, and especially not at higher stakes. I think that this situation, though, is one that at least warrants consideration. Of course, if I would get down to around $30 or so, I would definitely be forced to drop back down to the $1+.20s and build my BR back up.

I used to think the same thing when I was playing the 3.40 games and that the 6.50 was only 10 cents more buy in fee but twice the prize pool, but Bankroll management should be followed and plus IMO the horrible players in the lower buyins makes up for the extra fee.

Don't underestimate having an adequate bankroll. You can take shots if you want, but you must be prepared to move back down really quickly if you lose a couple buy-ins right off the bat. I would try to get to 20 buy-ins before you try the $3.40s.

The point of adhering to bankroll rules is preventing yourself from going bust. If you can afford to reload your account if you lose all your $, play whatever you want. If you don't want to reload, be smart and have lots of buy-ins.

p.s. don't play while drunk

Good points, both of you. For some reason, I hadn't considering the idea that the difference in skill level would make up for the additional fee. I will aim for getting my BR up to about $70 (over 20 buy-ins) before moving up to 3.40.

And I definitely plan on not playing drunk in the future, except maybe just for fun at really low stakes.

The thing is when you're just starting out you will likely be a loosing or just marginally profitable player. Player lower is loss control. You can play more hands cheaper, and you won't mind loosing 10 in a row (will happen). If you beat the $1 and $3 tourneys consistently, you'll move up in no time anyway.

Move up aggressively, but not stupidly. I'd definately play the $5.50s with a $100 roll, but not with a $50 roll. You pay 20% rack at the $1.20s, thats enough of a reason to move up sooner than you normally would.

If you can't beat the rake at $1.20s then you can't beat the players at $5.50s.