Keep blowing a lot of my bankroll on SNGs

[Joesoap]

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