Keep blowing a lot of my bankroll on SNGs

Hi, I think this is much therapy for myself as a request for advice. Using the initial $8 "free" sign-on bonus I have been playing at $2 NL on 888Poker for about 5 months now.

My first big problem seems to be getting too cocky and blowing my hard-earned-gains with undisciplined play, poor decisions like calling all-ins without a good enough reason, playing too many tables at once etc. I comfort myself with the idea that whilst my tiny bankroll yoyos up and down I am getting to be a better player.

My second big problem seems to be blowing big chunks of my bankroll on SNGs. A few days ago I played a couple of $1+0.20 SNGs and won them both.....so I immediately conclude that I am now ready for the more varied play of SNGs and these are supposed to be (I have read) a good way to build up your bankroll. (Hurrah!). I figured if I can finish in the money (top3) 50% of the time then this is a reasonable expectation though not much of a return. Of course the next night I play four SNGs and finish 7th, 6th, 6th and 3rd. The next night I play another four and finish out of the money in all four. OK so you have to play a lot of SNGs (apparently) for your edge to show in your results (reliably) - so maybe this is just "variance". Hmmmm dont think so! In fact I really dont think I have got the hang of it. I think as a cash player for 5 months I am in my comfort zone sticking to a tight range for the first few levels but in the mid-stages I seem to keep screwing it up in particular by calling all-ins when I shouldnt, going all-in (over-aggressive) when mid-stacked..... (even tho I keeping "banning" myself from doing it!). In short I seem to go from a nice TAG style in the first half of the SNG to just plain crap/whimsical play particularly when approaching the bubble. Bizarrely heads-up I am quite comfortable again. I guess since I play cash games as a solid TAG I just dont know how to play the middle if I dont get decent cards. There are less players than a full ring and I have maybe only 20-30 big blinds. I am used to deep stacks and 8 opponents.

So since my bankroll plunged lower than 15 SNG buy-ins and I had lost my confidence - I have gone back to grinding my way back up again on the $2 NL cash games.

Maybe I should stick to cash games and grind my way up the levels (not blowing it on SNGs). As a match standard chess player I prefer more strategy/tactics and less "luck" (I HATE turbos!). I read such kinds of players should focus on cash games. However, I am interested to learn more about good SNG and tournament play. You never know I may even be good at it with more knowledge and experience !!

BTW - why does Phil Helmuth recommend raising with 10-10 and 9-9 when there is such an overwhelming chance of overcards on the flop?

Any advice and opinions welcome (on anything!).

Joe

I think you have an issue with understanding variance. You play 8 sngs in two nights, fail to gain a return, and you think this is not variance? Well, it's either variance or you suck, no offence.

This is why solid bankroll management is an essential skill. Variance can be beaten by playing within your roll limitations and with patience. One day you'll win 3 games, finish 2nd in another 3 and lose 2, out of 8. That too will be variance, the good kind of variance. It takes a long time to know if you're a profitable player or not, you can't make that determination from 8 games, you need a much larger sample.

You're right to abandon sngs with 15 buy ins. Stick with penny poker until you're rolled enough for your preferred sngs, and in the meantime read up on the many articles on this site and others which will help you improve your sng game, in particular focus on your weaknesses such as bubble play and mid-stack strategy. And definitely read more on variance and bankroll management.

Good luck.

what mr ong said. you gotta have good br management practices.

think about it this way, if you are a thirsty man who owns a lake thats your only source of water, seasonal variations will probably stress you the fuck out if your lake is only 2 inches deep. on the other hand, if its 100m deep, youll be able to pull your gaze away from the waterline's fluctuations, and focus that energy on finding ways to make your pretty lake deeper.

then you can use some of that extra water to host a wet t-shirt contest, which i expect to be invited to, btw. i promise i wont compete ;)

Don't read poker strategy from Phil Helmuth plsthx.
Why you raise hands should be covered in a beginners digest post.

It look like you have successfully identified your leak. Just don't make stupid BRM decisions I guess. glgl

Practice good BRM and watch this video:

Poker Tournament Video - Turbo SnG 2-Table by BjsAust Micro Stakes $3+$0.40

Patience might be a factor in all of this too. Find ways to control tilt, even if this is not it. You should still work on this constantly because some people, even pros, can become blind from the variance which in turn makes them play terrible. Also, when you become good at sngs and really want to find you true ROI% then use Sharkscope, or something to record your winnings and etc., and sample around 500-5000, the more then the truer the ROI.