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SnG Tactics: FAQ

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  1. #1

    Default SnG Tactics: FAQ

    Note: This FAQ is in the process of being updated so the links below are just a stopgap until I finish the update.

    Welcome to the FTR Sit N Go Tourney Tactics Forum! It's good to have you here. Below is a collection of the most frequently asked questions (hence FAQ ) on this forum.

    Bankroll requirements for SNGs/should I move up?
    - The generally accepted rule is that you should have 30 buyins for the level you want to play. This is because even if you play perfectly, the variance at SNGs can be severe with 10 OOTM streaks and 30+ buyin drops entirely possible. If you are a strong player, at the $5 and $11 level 20-25 buyins might be sufficient, and for higher buyins like $50 and above you might want 50 buyins. Most who play SNGs for a living have at least 100 buyins.
    - If you have the bankroll but are nervous about moving up, a strategy that I have adopted and recommended is to play your current level until you win a SNG, then take a shot at the next level. If you finish ITM in that one then keep on playing that level, if you finish OTM then drop back down until you win another one. Rinse and repeat until you feel comfortable playing the new level permanently.
    - There is no shame in moving back down if your BR drops below your chosen threshold (30, 50 or whatever)! Whatever you do, if you run bad at your new level DON'T chase your losses by moving up yet another level - this is a recipe for busto.

    Here and here are some good threads discussing bankroll requirements and whether to move up.

    What is a good ROI/ITM?
    - The issue with determining what is a "good" ROI/ITM is that it is very dependent upon your sample size. To get a sense for your "true" ROI at any given level you need to have played many thousands of SNGs, and particularly at the lower levels, any winning player will have moved up long before they have an adequate sample size.

    That said, below are a couple of tables that set out a couple of views as to what "good" stats might be:

    Code:
    Buyin   ITM%   ROI%
    $3.40   40-50% 25%+
    $5.50   40-50% 25%+
    $6.50   38-45% 20-25%
    $11     40-45% 20-25%
    $16     38-44% 12-20%
    $20     38-45% 12-20%
    $27     38-43% 10-15%
    $33     37-42% 10-15%
    $50     36-42% 8-13%
    $60     36-42% 8-13%
    $100+   36-42% 5-10%
    Quote Originally Posted by 2+2 FAQ
    $3.40s - 18%
    $6s - 16%
    $16s - 14%
    $27s - 12%
    $60s - 10%
    $114s - 8%
    $225s - 6%
    $335s+ - 4%
    How do normals compare to turbos/speeds? Why play one or the other?
    There has been a lot of discussion about normals vs. turbos. Generally accepted wisdom is that normals have a slightly higher ROI but turbos have a higher $ earn rate per hour. Turbos probably suit players who don't like to play much postflop and are comfortable with preflop push/fold play.
    Here and here are some threads comparing normals to turbos.

    What is SNGPT/SNG Wiz? Why should consider buying one or the other? How do they compare? Can I use them in game?
    - Sit N Go Power Tools (SNGPT) and SitNGo Wizard are tools that combine Pokerstove and an ICM calculator. Basically, they help you analyse whether to push all in or call an all-in at the late stages of single table SNGs. In my opinion they are essential tools for any serious single table SNG player.
    - Both have downloadable demos/trial periods so if you don't already have one of them, download them and take a look. They will open your eyes!
    - The main difference between them (apart from interface) is that SNG Wiz allows you to analyse hands where somebody has limped or raised in front, whilst SNGPT only allows you to analyse hands where you are open pushing or calling an all-in.
    - You can't use SNGPT or SNG Wiz real time, their programmers deliberately designed them NOT to be able to be used like this. If you really want to use one of these tools real time, you need Sit N Go End Game Tools. Personally I would prefer to learn how to push/fold all-in without a software aid, but that's just me.
    - Setting appropriate calling ranges are essential with any of these tools! Garbage in = garbage out. The default calling ranges are not always appropriate so make sure you set your own.
    - This (http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...iz-143435.html) is a thread on how to get the best out of SNGPT/SNG Wiz and how to play with its variables. Here is a similar thread.
    - What's the difference between SNG Power Tools and SNG Wizard?
    - A downloadable ICM calculator is available from here

    I'd like to review a more experienced player's HH. Where can I find these?
    Below are a collection of some of FTR's Sit N Go Tourney Tactics more experienced players. They have commented on HHs of tourneys they have played. They by no means always play perfectly so feel free to comment or ask questions!
    - $27 turbo at Stars by taipan168
    - $16 turbo at Stars by GatorJH
    - Another $27 turbo by taipan168
    - A $5.50 18-person tourney by Sprayed
    - $5.50 normal played by taipan168
    - SNG experiment North America - Some of FTR's most experienced North American SNG players play each other and comment on their thought processes for each hand
    - Euro SNG Experiment - The same thing but with FTR's European SNGers
    - March 2007 SNG experiment
    - July 2007 SNG experiment
    - September 2007 SNG experiment
    - January 2008 SNG experiment
    - June 2008 SNG experiment

    What the hell do I do when I have KK and an ace comes on the flop?
    Here are a couple of threads that address this very frustrating (and commonly misplayed) situation:
    - Classic thread on having KK in position, raise/re-raise preflop, flop comes A high.
    - Same situation but without the preflop re-raise. Also addresses the common misconception of "betting to see where you're at"
    - Another hand that illustrates how we can lose the least amount of chips with an A on the flop, whilst getting value from hands we beat.

    What about Double or Nothing tournaments?
    - Here and here are some threads where the double or nothing format is discussed.

    I keep on suffering bad beats due to donkeys sucking out on my AA/KK/whatever when I had the best hand, what can I do?
    - Nothing. If you got your chips in good, there's nothing you can do. Keep on getting your chips in good and you'll win in the long run. If you're wondering whether you did in fact get your chips in good, post the hand!
    - Whatever you do, DON'T believe the old chestnut, "I should move up to a higher buyin because I won't get these fish who call my preflop raises with crap and suck out on me". This is nonsense. Whilst players at higher buyins do tend to play tighter, they will be MUCH more aggressive and pwn you in so many other ways. You want to play against bad players!
    - Read this thread that addresses the four stages that players go through in dealing with bad beats.

    - If that doesn't console you, let me tell you a story. Say I give you a standard 6-sided die and tell you that if you roll 1-4, I give you $10, if you roll 5-6 you give me $10. Don't you keep on rolling that die until your arm drops off or until I go broke? Sure, you could roll 5-6 several times in a row but over the long term this is a great bet. Now, assume I made the bet $1 million - unless you are very wealthy you shouldn't be rolling the die at all even though you're getting great odds (aka bankroll management is very important).

    SNG Statistics
    Post your SNG Stats here
    Most SNGs lost in a row
    How Do you calculate ROI?

    Discussions On SNG Statistics
    Link 1
    Link 2

    Keeping track of SNG Statistics
    Wheres that spreadsheet that keeps track of SNG results?
    I dont want a spreadsheet to keep track of SNGs, I want a program to do it.

    Headsup Links
    Link 1
    Link 2
    Link 3
    (really good post below)
    Link 4

    SNG Math
    What is ICM?
    Using ICM
    What Is EV???

    The "Because you posted it" Syndrome
    Last edited by taipan168; 03-18-2011 at 12:13 AM.
  2. #2

    Default When posting on this forum you should

    a.) Include reads with your posts and even a few other hands that changed they way you played the situation

    b.) Not post the results, this way you will get unbiased opnions of the people here.

    c.) Not post bad beats or reply with STBY, as this doesnt help the situation either.

    d.) Not reply with a one liner without expressing why you think that. Good player can bluff, make moves, and steal blinds. Great player's will do the same thing, but can also explain why he/she did.

    e.) Continue to get better and eventually take over the world, and everything in it.

    The real quote I butchered up.

    "Me, I want what's coming to me." "What's coming to you?" "The world, Chico, and everything in it. -- Tony Montana in "Scarface"
    Field mice are fast, but owls can see in the dark.
    <Bbickes> i still wanna know if the thing in your avatar is a real chick or not
    <Bbickes> or am i e-crushing a dude
  3. #3
    Where is a good place to play SNGs?
    What are all the different SNGs like?
    Do they suxorzs?
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=17783


    stolen from Dav Simons post

    here is the assesment of all the different poker rooms.

    As requested....here is a list of the places I generally play SnGs and my assesment of the site. The assesments are generally a combination of fact (# of people and blind increases) and opinion (whether I enjoy playing there) Please do not be ofended if I don't enjoy playing at your favorite site as much as you do. I did try to be objective as possible...and some of my subjective comments are there for illustrative purposes.

    Poker Stars
    • 9 Person tables
    • For the most part a good mix of fish and solid players...overall predictable play.
    • SnGs fill up very quickly any time of the day
    • Large variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs (1-table,2-table,Turbo,short handed)
    • SnG Satellites
    • 1500 starting chips and blinds go up at a very manageable rate
    • I play at Stars more than anywhere else


    Absolute Poker
    • 9 Person tables
    • Many...many poor SnG players and a couple very good ones - overall predictable play, but can be a little erratic.
    • SnGs fill up very quickly in the evening, but slowly in the morning and afternoon
    • Much smaller variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs than Stars
    • 1500 starting chips and blinds go up at a very manageable rate
    • Not my favorite place to play, but a somewhat easy game to beat


    Pacific Poker
    • 10 Person tables
    • Horribly fishy SnG play and the play is very erratic, you really have to be on your toes - don't give them too much credit they will play ace high like a set. They can and will suck out on you and deliver crushing bad beats, but they will give you thier money more times than not
    • SnGs fill up very quickly in the evening any time of day
    • Much smaller variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs than Stars
    • SnG Satellites
    • Unusual payout structure...$16 two tables pay 3 spots, $8 two tables pay 5 spots, $30 6-max SnGs pay 3 spots....etc
    • 1000 starting chips and blinds go up at an average to quick rate
    • Very questionable MTT management at Pacific, but I have taken far more than my fair share of 1st places in the SnGs


    Bodog Poker
    • 10 Person tables
    • Very poor SnG players and a couple average ones - overall predictable, weak often maniacal play
    • This place is chock full of gamblers, they go out of thier way to get thier chips in the middle on coin flips....action...action....action.
    • SnGs fill up pretty slowly at all times of the day
    • Much smaller variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs than just about anywhere else
    • 1000 starting chips and blinds go up at a quick rate...no camping here
    • $50 SnGs are a bit more solid....but if you play the $20 SnGs, be prepared to gamble


    Ultimate Bet
    • 10 Person tables
    • Better than average to very good SnG players
    • This place is seems to be the hunting ground of quite a few sharks they are very solid, change up thier plays, they will trap you in a heartbeat!
    • SnGs fill up pretty quickly at all times of the day
    • Very good variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs
    • SnG Satellites
    • 1500 starting chips and blinds go up at a very slow rate favoring the patient poker player
    • Not the easiest games to beat, but when you do win....you've done something


    Paradise Poker
    • 10 Person tables
    • Better than average SnG players mixed with some real wackos
    • The players are either very tricky or get lucky at the right times, I have had less success at Paradise than anywhere else
    • SnGs fill up pretty quickly at all times of the day
    • Very good variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs
    • SnG Satellites
    • 1000 starting chips and blinds go up at a manageable rate
    • Quite a few people have reported great success here, I have not really spent enough time in these SnGs to have a complete assesment


    Inter Poker
    • 10 Person tables
    • Wild aggressive European players
    • The players are very much like the Bodog players but have more skill which makes them hard to read and dangerous
    • SnGs fill up pretty slowly
    • Very good variety of buy-ins and types of SnGs and even different currency SNGs....if you can't find a $20-50 SnG you can find a £10-20 SnG (they do all the conversion for you)
    • 1000 starting chips and blinds go up at a manageable rate
    • I've only played a dozen or so games here, the wild play combined with how long it takes to fill up a table means my time is better spent elsewhere[/i]
  4. #4

    Default Re: Quicklinks to Commonly Asked Questions and rules

    Quote Originally Posted by vqc
    If you have a question that you are dying to ask please search through the forum first, or at least read this thread. It is ok and more than acceptable to bump these threads.

    Also please do not post in this thread unless I ask you to.
    Thank you guys!
    Hopefully this will help clear up some clutter.

    Most SNGs lost in a row
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=13577

    What entails crushing SNGs (or WATS A GOOD ITM ROI!!!!!!) (or ARE THESE STATS GOOT?) (a short discussion)
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=13978
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ghlight=#96766

    Post your SNG Stats here
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ighlight=stats

    How Do you calculate ROI?
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=16208

    Headsup Links
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...7&highlight=hu
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...6&highlight=hu
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ighlight=heads
    (really good post below)
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ighlight=heads

    Wheres that spreadsheet thingy that keeps track of those thingies that I keep hearing about?
    http://www.mowrmowr.com/poker/

    I dont want a spreadsheet to keep track of SNGs, I want a program to do it.
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=16821

    What is ICM?
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...&highlight=icm

    KK in position, on an ace high flop, Headsup in the pot.
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=21766

    A good thread on the stop and go.
    http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=22191

    When Posting HHs
    PLEASE DO NOT POST THE RESULTS OF THE HAND!
  5. #5
    Guest
    I've been bombarded with PMs asking me with a link to my SnG Videos.

    www.gen-xxx.com/poker/vids

    Recently deleted all videos over 6 months of age and will be making a lot more in the coming weeks.
  6. #6
    When posting hands, please indicate the buyin of the tourney either in the subject line or in your post. The advice that's correctfor a $3.40 buyin can be totally different to that which is best for a $114 buyin.
  7. #7
    Mirage's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    100
    Location
    Palm Harbor, FL

    Default The Illusive SNG Spreadsheet

    I must be blind as a bat. I keep hitting dead links for sng spreadsheets. If anyone has a CURRENT link, I would be most appreciative.

    Thansk...Mirage
    "Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory... lasts forever. "
    --Shane Falco, Washington Sentinels
  8. #8
    Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive FAQ. I have one correction... the part after ".../forum/" on the final link (I can't post full URLs yet) needs to be changed to:

    the-becuase-you-posted-it-syndrome-t28271.html
  9. #9

    Default FAQ

    Thanks for the detailed thread for FAQ. I'm fairly new to this forum and if i might say it is a wealth of info for anyone looking to improve your game like myself.
  10. #10
    I can't post a hand (Converted to text only using FTR). It keeps saying I need 10 posts or more to post a URL/link, but there's no URL/Link on my post. Please help.
  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by sammyfarha
    I can't post a hand (Converted to text only using FTR). It keeps saying I need 10 posts or more to post a URL/link, but there's no URL/Link on my post. Please help.
    I think there may be a url at the bottom of the hand converter to credit the author. Take a look at the start and end of the converted text to see if there are any url's. If you are still having issues please PM me the hand and I will post it for you later.
  12. #12
    this is an awesomeeeeeeeeee faq section!! i've found that i'd prefer playing sng's over cash games and this thread is going to be my best friend for a long time.. very awesome detailing and information, excellent work and lastly, THANK YOU!!!!!
  13. #13
    What should be the best strategy to play go sit
  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by secorafael
    What should be the best strategy to play go sit
    POTY
  15. #15
    Nice stuff... I love sit and go's as i am able to dictate the game a bit more, however alot of the information on her is very useful.

    THank you.
  16. #16
    hey, good point.
  17. #17
    Very useful info ^^^ however there is no assessment of Full Tilt. Is there an assessment of Full Tilt elsewhere on FTR

    ty

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