To start…I am the ‘new guy’ referred to in the ‘APPLY YOURSELF’ thread by Dwarfman and I am still attempting to learn the game. So far my poker experience has been pretty decent online…but I am reading and re-reading the “circle of death” to keep myself in check here on the low limit ring games. (Playing micro limits, trying to get some experience, etc. More hands I see the more I am getting used to seeing them play out.)

I decided to try a couple $3+.30 sngs over at SportingBet and so far placed out of the money, usually 5thish.

Ok, so here is my newbie SNG questions/observations that I was hoping I might either get confirmation on..or correction!

Question #1, what is “tight” for low limit SNGs?

I understand playing tight up front….and wanted to see if my definition of tight was ‘ok?’ Basically, I am trying to only play pocket pairs (throwing away low pairs on the flop assuming I didn’t get a set and getting raised)…and AK (suited or non), and KQs

I have to admit I am “tempted” at playing “any” suited connectors…but is that really tight for the early SNG game? (Or only if in LP and ‘cheap’ to get to flop?)

Last thought here…in low limit SNG, pretty much assume if A is on the flop, someone has just hit a pair? The reason I say this…52 cards, 10 players x 2, 20/52 cards out there, 4 of the 52 are aces and if someone has an Ax they are IN the pot…again, low limit sngs?! In fact if A or K flops, there is a good chance someone out of the 10 has that and was there to see the flop?

Question #2, I need help with what hands to start playing mid game?

Since I haven’t made it to the end game…I am obviously screwing up my middle game…down to say 5-6 players at this point by playing tight, not getting in many pots and letting them take each other out. At this point there always seems to be ‘one guy’ who is chip leader with a good lead…two or three middle stacks (I seem to be one)….and a couple lower stackers.

This is the point I am screwing up…I honestly think I might be getting too tight here…I guess my question is….what cards are you folks playing (and winning with) at the middle game?

(Here is my best guess of what I should be playing?)

Pocket Pairs, including low ones…maybe throwing in the low ones if no set at the flop against raises.

Suited connectors….only if you have hit 4 of the 5 needed at the flop (straight or flush draw)

I am NOT playing suited cards with gaps (68s for instance or 69s)…are you?

Final thought…if everyone is ‘checking’ and I am wanting to go on…I always raise a small amount at least, my theory is “no free cards?” Should I be doing that if I am still ‘drawing’?

Ok…that is enough for know and a THOUSAND thank yous in advance for helping me out here. I will be real honest, I “think” have absorbed the ‘tight’ concept pre-flop…but post flop is where my game needs improvements. Any thoughts on “good reads” for post flop play? (Online or a specific book I need to study?)