3 keys to SNG success?

[PairPressure]

Just wanted to start a thread since I've been laying low for a while.

So me and my friend had a discussion about SNGs and he asked me what I thought were the 3 keys to being successful at SNGs.

In no particular order:

Folding - if you're playing optimally you should be folding at lot more than you're limping. Also folding tough hands in tough spots is key also.

Position - Position is a key aspect in SNG (well in all of poker I guess). It's where it all starts just about. Position is crucial for pot control, making reads based on betting patterns and of course stealing.

Aggression - You have to be aggressive when you're entering a pot. You also have to be aggressive to protect your hand. Aggression also allows you to steal key pots from weak opponents.

Anyone else have anything else to add? I'd love to hear from you all.

[kentucky_jim]

I like everything you say here let me just kinda add on to these things a little.


Folding - if you're playing optimally you should be folding at lot more than you're limping. Also folding tough hands in tough spots is key also.

This is very important in the first of the three stages of any S&G you don't want to get in any hurry in the 1'st stage there are gonna be those few players in any tourny that like to play fast and loose eary and most likly will bust out before the 2'nd blind level but that doesn't mean you have to be the one to bust them those chips have just moved around they are still on the table plenty of time to get them there is no need to take any crazy chances when there are only 50 or 100 chips in the middle.


Position - Position is a key aspect in SNG (well in all of poker I guess). It's where it all starts just about. Position is crucial for pot control, making reads based on betting patterns and of course stealing.


Spot on position is key in any game S&G's no different playing in position it is always much easier when desisions need to be made as to betting calling raising re-raising or folding.



Aggression - You have to be aggressive when you're entering a pot. You also have to be aggressive to protect your hand. Aggression also allows you to steal key pots from weak opponents.


This phase kicks in in the middle statges your image has been set and now is when you want to start building your stack the tone of the game has been set fairly well and blinds should be in the 75 150 range all you are needing is 15 to 20 BB's and you are in good shape to make your run to the end now stay aggressive from here out with any hand you play but you still need to be playing on the snug side don't give up any unnessoriry pots every chip you hold on to is the same as a chip won. On the bubble always keep your eye out for that 1 player that is trying to back into the money by folding that is the player you want single out and pressure after the bubble breaks the game will take a much looser tone so snug up a bit again and pick your spots wisely and before you know it you are head-up from here on it's feel play.

[PairPressure]

You absolutely correct Kentucky Jim.

All your points are spot on. I see too many people play too many weak hands out of position and early in the tournament.

Great insights.

[mannyfest]

I like all of these points. How about something like setting up the big hand or setting up the big steal. What I guess I'm saying is people sometimes seem to punch themselves out early and then everyone picks on them later on. You may enter too many hands early with a raise ort limp and people just won't think you always have it when the blinds elevate. So by playing well and waiting for that strategic spot you can set up that big hand or big bluff whatever and use it when you need it rather than always trying to make every pot that you enter a winning pot.

[PokerGob]

I like all of these points. How about something like setting up the big hand or setting up the big steal. What I guess I'm saying is people sometimes seem to punch themselves out early and then everyone picks on them later on. You may enter too many hands early with a raise ort limp and people just won't think you always have it when the blinds elevate. So by playing well and waiting for that strategic spot you can set up that big hand or big bluff whatever and use it when you need it rather than always trying to make every pot that you enter a winning pot.

I think this would be along the lines of position. The set up is based on position, player types and blind size, etc.

[Mattchampion]

As everyone else, I agree with what has been said, but I have been considering a specific aspect lately. Its related to position. Being in position is definitely key, but I would like to poss the argument that being out if position is also good (obviously it depends). It means that you are first to bluff.

Any thoughts?

For discussion on this goto:

http://www.pokergob.com/showthread.php?p=13797#post13797

[PokerGob]

As everyone else, I agree with what has been said, but I have been considering a specific aspect lately. Its related to position. Being in position is definitely key, but I would like to poss the argument that being out if position is also good (obviously it depends). It means that you are first to bluff.

Any thoughts?

Please open a new thread for this, you'll get more responses. I have some thoughts on this. You should open the new thread in the UnluckBox Forum. Make sure to put a good title on it to attract some attention.

[Dacooler]

I like all of these points. How about something like setting up the big hand or setting up the big steal. What I guess I'm saying is people sometimes seem to punch themselves out early and then everyone picks on them later on. You may enter too many hands early with a raise ort limp and people just won't think you always have it when the blinds elevate. So by playing well and waiting for that strategic spot you can set up that big hand or big bluff whatever and use it when you need it rather than always trying to make every pot that you enter a winning pot.

Are we talking about image? If so I agree image can be a saver or a killer especially in a SNG.