Originally Posted by tdq

what should I do to win sngs?
I play tight agressive but I lose them all.
The blinds grow so fast that I harldy have the time play 3 hands I'm already in a critical state.
Should I play loose, or bluff?
What's your strategy?
P.S. I do 2$ sngs (I'm poor)

What is tigh for you? maybe you are a little bit over tight.

Lo buyin SNGs are very loose. Do you play hands as suited connectors and suited aces? They can be very profitable.

Bluff: Well, if you play agressive preflop, of course you have to, at least, semi bluff almost every flop you see in order to improve your win% when you see the flop. I mean your the agressor, it should bring you at least some respect. You do it?

Slow playing can be also very powerfull in SNGs. (however I dont do it on every hands I make) Players are normaly pretty agressive VS a weakness sign in SNGs, use it when your hand is not in danger. (no flush draw or str8 draw on the board)

Dont be to much tight. Hands like KJo, QJo, A-10o and on and on are definately playable in SNGs if you do it properly. And, I repeat, suited aces and suited connectors are pretty powerfull.

I also bet or raise the flush draw a lot, both for value and as an attempt to steal. Then I sometime check the turn if I hit. (look like I'm affraid of that 3rd suited card) If not, I bet or raise the turn on weakness sign. (check, small bet, etc.)

Also, being short stack early, is not a reason to become more passive IMHO. I see a lot of players who slow down.

Any way, just my 2 cents... 1st answer what is your definition of tight agressive. Looks very tight and very agressive considering you sometime play only 3 hands!!! I think its the problem!!!

KJ

jkoff's advice looks good.

especially at the beginning, i play tight cuz there's more idiots left who will come in with cards you wouldn't expect to be in a hand and that'll mess you up. you don't need to play many hands at the start since blinds won't eat you that quickly, just don't see a lot of flops so you can last a long time before winning a pot. play your solid hands only; don't go fishing. as the blinds get bigger, stealing them is good, and it's easier to do this when the table thinks you're a really tight player.

hm that's all i got off the top of my head.

I tried a search before asking, I could have searched furter, but im lazy to.
hands i play r usually AA-88 AK AQ AJs in early, ATs KQ KJs 66-77 in middle, I limp with suited connectors and Axs Kxs in late, I also steal as much as I can, but to that's not very often.

I usually do about top 5 but i have trouble getting into the money. What's "survival mode" ever1 is talking about?
I think that's because I gamble to much in the end.

Originally Posted by Steve-O

depends on where you play, the structure and all.

I play only AA and KK in the first 3 levels and move all in when i get them, I also play any pair from late position in an unraised pot looking for a set in the first 2 levels. THATS IT, yes i fold QQ and AKs

after that I play a more aggressive game since my image is now of a tight player and it will also be down to 6 or so people at this point.

Are you serious Steve!?!? First 3 level!!!!!! Most of the time you dont play until the 4th stage???

When i started to play online SNGs, I was playing prety much only AA to 88 + AK, AQ and KQ with good position. Of course a little looser going foward in the game. I had some succes finishing in the money pretty often, but usualy in 3rd place. I find out, that I was playing way to tight and manage to loosen up but stayed very agressive and now I aslo touch the money pretty often but usualy 1s place money.

Of course, it may be because NL very tight play is not for me and I have to see action to be effective. Dont know.

Any way, you seem to be a very solid poker player and your strategy here should be more than ok, or you probably would'nt use it.

KJ

Originally Posted by tdq

I tried a search before asking, I could have searched furter, but im lazy to.
hands i play r usually AA-88 AK AQ AJs in early, ATs KQ KJs 66-77 in middle, I limp with suited connectors and Axs Kxs in late, I also steal as much as I can, but to that's not very often.

I usually do about top 5 but i have trouble getting into the money. What's "survival mode" ever1 is talking about?
I think that's because I gamble to much in the end.

Your starting hand selection looks good to me... you definately not playing it to tight IMO. However I'm a lot looser than that. But Steve is a lot tighter and he's also a winner.

Must be your play on the flop and other streets.
??? dontt know ???

KJ

Are you serious Steve!?!? First 3 level!!!!!! Most of the time you dont play until the 4th stage???

I usually read a book or surf for the first 15 minutes or so and let Pokertracker do it's thing.

My hand selection isn't quite as tight as Steve-Os (and I have to thank you Steve for your previous posts on SnGs which have influenced me). I'll raise AK and limp AQ, but other than that it's foldarama. It's amazing how often even with these criteria you get to double up early.

Other than that it turns a full table into a game of 6 or 7 where you are mid stack and have a great image to steal blinds and limps. I reach the final 4 52% of the time and the money a shade under 40% with this approach. Learning how to play well on the bubble is the key for me.