in an SnG my strategy is very tight at first,

later in the game i try to open up a little when;

i have established a tight image,

the blinds become more significant,

there are fewer players and some are feeling pressuse of bubbling.

i try to make raises of around 3-5 bbs so i can escape if anyone shows real strength, but it allways seems that my steal attempts work the first few times then people start playing back at me and stealing back my raise.

i seem to loose back as much as i win by stealing to failed steal attempts,

how often should i try to steal?

should i slow down after a few steal atempts?

hi i am playing $5 and $10 at UB

i have just started playing SnGs after mainly playing NL ring game.

i have not played many yet, but this has seemed to happen the last few times, meaning i either got knocked out at the bubble, or got through the bubble with less chips than i entered instead of improving my position.

Bobby,

Don't put so much of a premium on stealing. By loosening your opening requirements as the table shrinks and the blinds escalate, your knew found starting requirements for an unopened pot on the button will generate these "Steal" attempts all on there own. If you dont want any resistance at all, then the hand is not worth making a move with. I find that the "steal" opportunities happen naturally. When I start trying to steal with hands that dont meet my minimum requirements for that stage/position is when I get in trouble.

A person playing back typically has a hand....don't let your mind trick you into thinking he is making a move back on you. When you do move with a trash hand and someone comes over the top you need to lay it down. Tighten back up a bit so that you have a hand and don't get caught again.

Regarding bubble play...it's nice to think there is someway to avoid pitfalls, but there is nothing you can do in some spots.

Last night I picked up AK suited in the SB with 4 remaining and blinds at 75/150. I had a stack of about 2000 and raised it 3XBB on the BB. He was the big stack and pushed all in. I though about it, and knew that at best I was a coin flip, and would be out if I lost. But did I have a choice in the matter? From my perspective I had a mandatory call in this spot. I called and he flipped KK. I caught a flush draw, but never found my final heart and went out in 4th.

Thats poker. that didn't bother me nearly as much as my next tourney when I fell in love with a marginal hand and a horrible read and knocked myself out in 5th pos....that was much more painful.