seeking feedback on my sit-n-go play and switching games?

[luckystraights]

Hia, I'm looking for some feedback on some thoughts I'm having about my own Sit-N-Go play and whether I should move on to cash games ? (pasted from my blog)

Warning to those of a sensitive nature, this post contains references to $1 Sit-N-Go's 

(Click to show/hide)

Maybe its just because I’m having a bit of a rough time with the game a the moment, but I’m starting to question myself and how I’m doing things. Not in a panicky, desperate way like I seemed to do the last time I was in a bad run, but still I’m beginning to pose some questions to myself.

Maybe its just because of lost rather a lot of games since I got back into it, far too many in fact, but then again, maybe thats the reason why I’m able to see these things, we don’t question ourselves too much when where winning do we?

I’m finding myself in lots of situations where I feel torn between how best to play it, and I’m not talking about moves or read based plays or even about math based plays, I’m referring to basic strategy.

I’m consistently, of late anyways, faced with situations in the Sit-N-Go’s, where I believe in theoretical sense I should take one course of action, but also acknowledge the opposite course, which seems to have left me sometimes doing one, sometimes doing the other, almost at random, without no real sense of it at all. All of these situations relate to the stages of a Sit-N-Go, where I’m adjusting my play based on how deep I am in to the tournament and how big the blinds are relative to my stack.

A basic tenet of my Sit-N-Go play, as been pieced together from the NL section of Lee Jones book ‘Winning Low Limit Hold’em’, which I wholeheartedly agree with, but I’m begging to face lots of situations where I feel this isn’t working for me, and may actually be costing me pots, and with that tournaments cashes.

These issues are beginning to affect me so much that I am starting to consider moving to cash games once I’ve achieved my bonus, at least for a while. I have a copy of Skylansky’s NL Hold’em Theory and Practice which I could use as my guide, and can I give the Sit-N-Go’s a break, maybe just playing the occasional two table or a larger “bargain tournament” scheduled on Poker Stars and try and build up my bankroll via this route, returning to the Sit-N-Go’s with enough funds to rejoin them at the higher, $5 level.

A closing thoughts, should I be aware of playing hands according to the stage of the tournament I am in, but be willing to play the hand as if in a vacuum when the situation warrants it?

These are two recent hands that seems typical of this dilemma I seem to have put myself in :

Here in the BB I find AK and with a raise to 4xBB and two calls, I elect to call instead of re-raise, as a re-raise would commit a large portion of my stack very early in the tournament.

I did the complete opposite of what I feel I should do, because of the “early stage” game plan I have developed, based on the Lee Jone’s txt, whereby I would only re-raise with kings or aces so early. I was fortunate here, as if an ace fell I would likely have gone broke.

Treating this hand as if the stage of the Sit-N-Go didn’t matter, perhaps in a cash game, I would re-raise around $400. After watching this player throughout the rest of the match, he would likely go all-in at this point, then I would likely fold with no information about the player to suggest otherwise.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1980689

I limped in here with AQ in MP with some a call and two folds in front, because I felt it was too early to raise. Though this is something I mentioned not long ago, I’m willing to call a standard raise with AQ here, so I should be willing to make a standard raise here with AQ, correct?

Everyone else calls and the big blind checks. On the flop I hit TP. There are two checks and a bet of 3xBB in front of me, so I raise him $140 more, to put him to the test and to chase out any draws. I get a call behind me. Then the raiser comes over the top for a further $400. I fold, and I fold because its the 1st level, and I didn’t felt my AQ wasn’t strong enough to play for all of my chips against a caller and a re-raiser. Its unlikely he held AK, but with me not raising pre-flop he could certainly have had A8 or A9.

This is a problem I’ve faced before in the $1 Sit-N-Go’s, where ego-minded players tend to play back at you, because the assume you must be bluffing in these spots because you didn’t raise pre-flop.

Playing this without consideration to how early this hand occurred in the tournament, I would make a standard raise to around 5xBB pre-flop, and on the same flop, be prepared to go all the way with it, depending on the individual and is betting action.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?1986196

Any thoughts on this?

[FSL009]

I didn't read all of what you wrote cause I do not have time, but a 1-table sit n go is like playing a final table of a tournament.  you need to work out your gap.  (the gap is discussed in the Sklansky Tournament Poker for advanced players and in some others books as well)

Just in case you don't now what that is the gap is the difference between what you are willing to enter the pot with when your first to it and what your willing to call with if someone else has raised (and even called somethings) before you. 

(the brackets are for people that constantly limp with loaded hands - when you have that read on them). 

Anyway mostly it's raises, so say you would enter wiht 10Jos and all hands upwards of that but calling with only JJ,QQ,KK, AA, AK, AKos and maybe KQs 

In a SnGs your aim is to not be all-in and to let the others do the work for you.  You have to double up at least once so I generally play very tight starting hands and play aggressively when I hit a starting hand.  Most people are very loose so anything 1010 up I would take on but that is me.

If you get the double up or increase your stack when you hit your hand then keep playing tight, maybe even tighter because going in with JJ, 1010 or QQ when your doubled up already may not be the right move if other people are doing the elimination duties for you.  It give them the chance to get a big stack together maybe, but as long as you mostly keep pace and you are the better player you will more times than none win. 

When you get to the final two loosen up and push all-in alot when your first to the pot with decent hands its risky but the jump from second to first is worth decent dollars normally and most people will fold out if they could be eliminated - the same Gap theory working in opposite ie knowing they will fold to preserve their stack gives you the advantage, your first in go hard and steal their blinds until they are forced to play with terrible hands.

that is my thoughts, I have been fairly successful at these over time

The thing to remember is not to get worried if one person is accumulating lots of chips and your not, you will eventually hit decent hands.  When you hit your hand they will be overplaying mediocre hands and with a big stack are just wanting to double you up.

Have fun.
 

 

[luckystraights]

Thanks for the thoughts, I'll give it a re-read tomorrow with fresh eyes, been playing all night and its 6am now lol

just posted another episode to the saga on my blog :

http://luckystraights.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/poker-mental-strength-and-carrying-on-through-adversity/

My last bad run almost tore me apart, and I'm determined not to let that happen again, so I'm looking for ways I can become better, whilst I ride out the storm.

xxx

[Martini]

Not to oversimplify or anything but if you make more money per hour at SnG tourneys...I'd do tourneys. If you make more money per hour at ring games...I'd do ring games.

[hizzamhock]

I dont know if switching to cash games is the answer.  Its harder to manage your money when you play cash games, imho, and running bad can break your bankroll if you arent sufficiently bankrolled.  If you do try cash games, good luck.  I would have at least 20 buyins.

[Dr. Neau]

Well, Lucky.

I'm looking at your last several match results.

Looks like your a classic "middle of the pack"er...always just a couple spots out of the money.

Not aggressive and stupid enough to be one of the first few out.

Would I be correct in guessing that your stack slowly trickles down until you are forced to make a push?

[Langham]

Based on the level you're playing at, I don't think switching to cash games will necessarily give you the boost you're looking for. I'm sure the play there is just as "bad" as at the $1 SnGs.

Now, if you're moving back and forth between the two to switch it up, then I see no problem with that - I do the same thing. I'll get bored with the SnGs after a couple weeks and move to the cash games for a few sessions before moving back.

If bankroll is the reason you're still playing these lower stakes, then I think you need to just play ABC poker. When you get a hand, raise. When you have a suited connector, try to see the flop for cheap, and fold the garbage. When you make the money, then adjust your play to win.

Try to keep the pots small, reducing the risk to your stack. If the play is as reckless as what you posted, I would be calling a lot more in situations where normally I may raise. Plus, calling can be just as powerful as raising sometimes - your opponents may think you're slow playing a big hand and slow down themselves.   

If you go card dead, don't panic. Typically, I won't start shoving until I'm down to 5x BB. I know the usual rule of thumb is twice that amount, but if you can hang on for a couple more orbits, sometimes your opponents panic first and get picked off by the bigger stacks. Sometimes, this turns those 4th places finishes into cashes. Again, just a suggestion.

Master the solid plays, then when you're able to move up in limits, work off of those solid plays to do more advanced things like limping with big hands.

[luckystraights]

a bit of a reply to myself first, after a nights rest.

Initially when I first started the sit-n-go's I would cash in most, nearly all in fact. I didn't make much money because a large portion of those where 2nd or 3rd place finishes but I cashed.

Now though, and for a considerable time, my cash rate has dropped significantly, although when I do cash, I am now far more likely to cash in 2nd over 3rd and 1st over 2nd place, as my late stage play s improved, especially heads-up.

However this begs the question, why am I not cashing so much, what did I do right then, that I'm not doing now. I think it all comes back to these situations i've highlighted, worry too much about the stages of the sit-n-go, and starting to play weak tight, leaving me short stacked later on, causing me to miss out on the money so much more, because I didn't take full advantage of my good hands earlier on.

Until I get solid advise to the contrary, I'm going to try and forget I'm in a sit-n-go for the moment, and play each hand by itself, without worrying too heavily that I shouldn't re-raise here because its only level 1 and such, once I get down to the bubble I can then be more careful for awhile, though still pushing the action. This is what likely served me well initially and it was only my shorthand game that let me down then.

Now, I'll read your replies and see what you have to say,

Thanks.

[luckystraights]

Well, Lucky.

I'm looking at your last several match results.

Looks like your a classic "middle of the pack"er...always just a couple spots out of the money.

Not aggressive and stupid enough to be one of the first few out.

Would I be correct in guessing that your stack slowly trickles down until you are forced to make a push?

have you seen my latest graph on SharkScope? I took a look last night and was torn between laughing and crying.

[Dr. Neau]

Well, Lucky.

I'm looking at your last several match results.

Looks like your a classic "middle of the pack"er...always just a couple spots out of the money.

Not aggressive and stupid enough to be one of the first few out.

Would I be correct in guessing that your stack slowly trickles down until you are forced to make a push?

have you seen my latest graph on SharkScope? I took a look last night and was torn between laughing and crying.

I check your graph every time I see a new post from you about your online play.

The bad news: You're down 60%.
The good news: You're only down $6.

I'll say it again...step up a level and results will be better.

[luckystraights]

I check your graph every time I see a new post from you about your online play.

The bad news: You're down 60%.
The good news: You're only down $6.

I'll say it again...step up a level and results will be better.

I'm actually still ahead of my  deposit amount, taking cash games into account, but my cushion is shrinking rapidly.

I'm keen on moving up, but I wont be comfortable moving up until I put my own doubts about my play at rest and see some improvement, its not so much how I play against these idiots in the $1 games that I feel I need to work on before I move up, its more that I feel I need to get back to a winning game for the sit-n-go's in general, once I'm happy with how i'm playing, I'll move up.

[Dr. Neau]

I check your graph every time I see a new post from you about your online play.

The bad news: You're down 60%.
The good news: You're only down $6.

I'll say it again...step up a level and results will be better.

I'm actually still ahead of my  deposit amount, taking cash games into account, but my cushion is shrinking rapidly.

I'm keen on moving up, but I wont be comfortable moving up until I put my own doubts about my play at rest and see some improvement, its not so much how I play against these idiots in the $1 games that I feel I need to work on before I move up, its more that I feel I need to get back to a winning game for the sit-n-go's in general, once I'm happy with how i'm playing, I'll move up.

Well, then I have a prediction for a future post...

Well, I've just crossed the 500,000 mark for sit-and-gos...still profitable!  I'll step up to $5+$0.50 once I get these donkeys figured out.
I'm just frustrated...I learned this poker game really fast, but it feels like I won't master it in my lifetime.

[luckystraights]

Well, I've just crossed the 500,000 mark for sit-and-gos...still profitable!  I'll step up to $5+$0.50 once I get these donkeys figured out.
I'm just frustrated...I learned this poker game really fast, but it feels like I won't master it in my lifetime.

are we talking 500,000 dollars or hands lol

I'm not opposed to moving up far from it, but I don't have the budget to try and re-build my game, which seems to be crumbling at the $5 level, played 16 games in the last 3 nights, including the two earlier today, and failed to cash in nearly all of them as you know, if I did the same at the $5 level, I'd be broke, so whilst my games off its mark, and I'm on a bad run, I'm happy to swim in the kiddy pool for awhile.

[Dr. Neau]

are we talking 500,000 dollars or hands lol

sit-and-gos

[Detroitdad]

Well, I've just crossed the 500,000 mark for sit-and-gos...still profitable!  I'll step up to $5+$0.50 once I get these donkeys figured out.
I'm just frustrated...I learned this poker game really fast, but it feels like I won't master it in my lifetime.

are we talking 500,000 dollars or hands lol

I'm not opposed to moving up far from it, but I don't have the budget to try and re-build my game, which seems to be crumbling at the $5 level, played 16 games in the last 3 nights, including the two earlier today, and failed to cash in nearly all of them as you know. Hmmmmm, maybe you should consider other career options for at least the time being.  if I did the same at the $5 level, I'd be broke, so whilst my games off its mark, and I'm on a bad run, I'm happy to swim in the kiddy pool for awhile.

[Dr. Neau]

iif I did the same at the $5 level, I'd be broke

Well, no.  Because I'm arguing that at the $5 level you will encounter a higher percentage of people that will react the right way to your bluff, rather than coming over the top with Jack-high and chasing you out.

Some will argue that the $5 level is just as donkacilious as the $1 level.  I'll argue that you'll see MUCH improved play from your opponents.

Now.  Let's say you did have the same results...if $80 is going to break you then I'd question any involvement in gambling...but that's just me.

[Dr. Neau]

And I'll say it again.

With the amount of time you've put in at the $1 level, I'd say you are past the point of gaining any more valuable experience.  You've learned the flow of the game.  You know what beats what. You understand tournament theory.

Now you want to apply other concepts that will help you improve.  The problem is that you aren't playing aganist people where those concepts will do any good.

You're essentially playing against people who roll the dice every time the action is on them.

Your opponent in a $1 sit and go just raised under the gun.  What does he likely have?  YOU HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE $1 MEANS NOTHING TO HIM.

There's a straight draw on the board.  You bet the right amount to bluff it.  You opponent calls with a pair of 2's and takes the pot.  Did they see through your bluff?!?  NO.  THEY DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE YOU WERE BLUFFING!!

Let me ask this...

You normally pay at the pump with a credit card.
Your friend gives you a coupon for $0.05 off per gallon.  So, you can save maybe $1.20 when you get gas, but you have to walk inside and wait in line to save the $1.20.
Do you use the coupon, or do you throw it away?

[luckystraights]

iif I did the same at the $5 level, I'd be broke

Well, no.  Because I'm arguing that at the $5 level you will encounter a higher percentage of people that will react the right way to your bluff, rather than coming over the top with Jack-high and chasing you out.

I agree, and that would be a sufficient benefit to me, but I'm feeling a bit shaky at the moment, so don't feel like a move a this points is the best course of action.

Now.  Let's say you did have the same results...if $80 is going to break you then I'd question any involvement in gambling...but that's just me.

I'm in a weak position financially way from the table, but I'm prepared to put $80 down on poker, but I'm not prepared to loose my entire bankroll so quickly, thats what I was referring to, loosing my bankroll, which is now a little under $80, even after several months  of play.

I don't have an amount, I'm prepared to loose in poker before I give it up as a bad job, but I do want to protect my bankroll, however big it may be.

again, I've been playing the Sit-N-Go's for awhile now and haven't made much from them, had a few nice rushes, but nothing sustaining, so no matter how many bad runs I may have hit on the way, I'm likely doing somethings fundamentally wrong, once I feel I'm on my way to solving those issues, then moving up will be the next logical step.

A lot of my problems seems to be arising out of the situational aspects of the sit-n-go game, so I've ordered Collin Moshman's text on sit-n-go strategy to help me with this.

Please don't take it the wrong way, I do heed your advise, but just don't feel ready to move up at this point, more because of how I feel I am playing, as opposed to how my opponents are playing.

Thanks again.

[Detroitdad]

I'm not trying to hate on you or jump on a bash Lucky Str8 band wagon, but maybe you should think that poker should be more recreational for you. Maybe its just not your thing.

[Dr. Neau]

A lot of my problems seems to be arising out of the situational aspects of the sit-n-go game, so I've ordered Collin Moshman's text on sit-n-go strategy to help me with this.

I worried when I read this...and reading the reviews of the book confirms my worry...

One reviewer said, "It is appropriate for SNGs with an entry fee of $10 through medium stakes".

I also remember you were reading something called "Winning Low Limit Hold'em". "Low Limit" (as it says on the back cover of the book) is around the $3-$6 range.

I just fear that a lot of the strategies in these book are wasted in micro-micro limit games.

[FSL009]

I agree, the low limit sit n go's are mostly not going to respect your raises or your bluffs.

I have sit folding for two or three orbits hit AA and then bet out, I tend not to push on anything because if your out your not coming back.  I have never not been called and normally its with trash.

And I get the odd bad beat, my last Sit n Go was a $2 one and I ended up 7th as I pushed after my second re-raise and I knew they had nothing, anyway I had QQ and they had AQ which was better than I expected them to hold and they hit an A.  Its just part of the game.

Also I doon't trust that shark thing none of my games on Party are included in it last time I looked whcih is where I put most of my bankroll together.  I should check it again and see how I have gone as the ones on FTP have been average, I hardly play them anymore just because I never have a full hour+ to allocate to them.

Just remember it is meant to be fun and you will not win all the games you play, it takes a thick skin to play tournaments and SNGs you will lose along the way no matter how good you become.  Even the pros lose along the way. 

 

[FSL009]

lol, I just checked that shark thing, I am down, down, down.

FTP I have lost three and cashed in 1 which was not enough compared to the other three I lost.  As I said it only recorded the $11 one I lost on PP and doesnt have the numerous $3 ones I won.  my recollection of PP is I won 5 second 4  out of the money on 2 out of 11 but all were low stakes.  I think PP is a bit softer than FTP and i jsut hate PS because its flush and straight city.  The few I played there I got beat good time with people sucking out to straights etc.

Anyway, still have fun with it, learn to laugh at yourself and at the game.  SH*t happens so to speak.

[luckystraights]

A lot of my problems seems to be arising out of the situational aspects of the sit-n-go game, so I've ordered Collin Moshman's text on sit-n-go strategy to help me with this.

I worried when I read this...and reading the reviews of the book confirms my worry...

One reviewer said, "It is appropriate for SNGs with an entry fee of $10 through medium stakes".

I also remember you were reading something called "Winning Low Limit Hold'em". "Low Limit" (as it says on the back cover of the book) is around the $3-$6 range.

I just fear that a lot of the strategies in these book are wasted in micro-micro limit games.

I agree, I miss out on a lot by playing this low, I'm very limited, only able to play my cards, and make an occasional semi-bluff, or c-bet with A high maybe to represent I hit a k, basic stuff.

I'm just not feeling too confident with my state of play at the moment, when I build my confidence up a bit, then I'll re-asses my position. I'm pretty sure I've got some obvious weaknesses that I've developed and I can work on these at the lower limits, as you touched upon earlier, I've become stuck in the middle of the pack, lost some heart and I need to get that back.

In an aside, I'm creating a new bankroll for another site, and will be playing in 6 max cash games, and plan to move up pretty quick there. I've only played 6 max cash once, but from what I've seen these games on Sun Poker seem to be really profitable, and I'm more willing to take shots, here away from my main bankroll.... which I guess is weired, money's worth the same no matter where I play with it, but thats the logic I'm stuck with at the moment.

thanks again xxx

[Midnight Rose]

Lucky, when was the last time you had fun when you played poker?

[luckystraights]

Lucky, when was the last time you had fun when you played poker?

besides, a "friendly" heads-up match for $2 just now, where I made a bad read and lost, the last time I played, a cash game, around 3am ET.

I love poker and love to play it, but I get your point, lots of times I haven't enjoyed what I'm doing online, but I'm getting back into the habit of having some fun. Realized a few places where I've been going wrong, so looking forward to seeing what I can make of the next week, now that I'm aware of such problems.

I get stressed when I want something so bad, but just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere, its an on going problem.

[hockeygoon]

I'm just not feeling too confident with my state of play at the moment, when I build my confidence up a bit, then I'll re-asses my position. I'm pretty sure I've got some obvious weaknesses that I've developed and I can work on these at the lower limits, as you touched upon earlier, I've become stuck in the middle of the pack, lost some heart and I need to get that back.

Constantly playing donks will never build your confidence because they will always suck out on you and make you question yourself.  There are too many people who don't care if the win or lose at those limits.  You really should move up to bigger limits or quit playing on-line.  Try to find a place with a 1/2 NL game you can sit at if you don't want to play $5 or $10 sit-n-gos.  I think it's a lot easier to win consistently at a decent cash game than it is playing SNGs or on-line cash games.  From what I've seen you're a pretty solid player, you just keep getting your confidence smashed by the donks.

Remember, enough fish can eat a shark instead of the shark eating the fish.

[luckystraights]

I'm feeling better at the moment, set some goals to aim, etc, so hopefully I'll be able to move up in the not too distant future "legitimitley".

I'd like to play live, but I'm not great with people, and theres only one place, I'm comfortable playing near me, and there stakes are far too high for me at the moment. Last time I checked the cash game buy-in is $400. The tourney  start from $20 but I can't even afford to invest that more then once in a few months. I have no income as such, so don't have much choice to swim with the fish, I just need to improve in a few areas, and make something from it.

I play heads-up tournaments regularly with a few house mates, and those stakes are starting to pick up now, but our format as been crap up to now, so I'm instigating a few changes.

25 minute blinds instead of 10, 5k stacks, instead of 1.5k.

[hockeygoon]

You might just have to take a break from it for awhile then.  It sucks that the buy-ins are so high for the cash games.  Maybe you could find a good home game?  As long as you win, it won't cost you anything to play.  I'm low on dough too, but I took $100 for poker and I'm working exclusively with what I can grow out of that for when I play.  If I lose it all, I'm done until my finances improve, but so far I've still got it plus some.

[luckystraights]

You might just have to take a break from it for awhile then.  It sucks that the buy-ins are so high for the cash games.  Maybe you could find a good home game?  As long as you win, it won't cost you anything to play.  I'm low on dough too, but I took $100 for poker and I'm working exclusively with what I can grow out of that for when I play.  If I lose it all, I'm done until my finances improve, but so far I've still got it plus some.

I'm in the same boat, loaded with $50, which is why I'm not moving up just yet, hopefully sooner or later I'll get up to $100, then with my bonus I'll probably move up.

I keep trying to get a game together, but the people are no are ever all talk or don't know how to play. My house mates are happy to play regularly now, but we don't have anyone else willing to jump in, so where stuck to play either heads-up or 4 way max, and my house mate is reluctant to play for anything more then $1.

A friend of mine is willing to play me heads-up for $60 which will be the most I've played for, just need to win a few more matches with him and my other friends to be able to afford it.

I've only had two full table tournaments in the last 6 months or more at home, one was a "friendly" with no money involved, which lead me to learn how to play, and the only other was across the street at my house mates place which I won, who all play poker, none of whom want to play with me anymore though.

[hockeygoon]

I'm also playing mostly live.  The only on-line I've been playing is with the little bit on pokerstars I got in a free rool and the $20 on UB that they gave me.  That got donked away from me.  Every time I started doing well in a game some asshat I couldn't get to go away hit runners to hit a flush or straight and I lost most or all of the money I had at the table for the session, playing the 5 cent/10 cent games. 

The live games I've been playing have been different though.  It's much easier to win there I've found.

Check the internet for local games.  There are a couple forums for where I live that has home games and discusses local poker rooms.  I'm sure there's a bar or something around that has a regular game.  You can also ask around and see if anyone else you know knows of a game somewhere.

[luka]

If you want, we can play some micro heads up on pokerstars or full tilt... I am an average micro player and maybe you could make some money off of me...

[TwoToGo-Grave]

If you want, we can play some micro heads up on pokerstars or full tilt... I am an average micro player and maybe you could make some money off of me...

Actually Lucky, I would be inclined to recommend the HU matches, as they are very soft and beatable.  However, the main reason for suggesting them is that you can gain a lot of experience in playing all sorts of flops and situations in a HU match, so it may improve your game to play some of them (and they can get pretty addictive if you win at them).

[FSL009]

I now refuse to play at PS just because of the % of flops that end in flushes or Straights.  Great when your winning, but terrible for tighht players that don't play a lot of suited connectors.

Its not realistic enough, I mean no program is really, but at least they can get it close to consistent in terms of the randomness of cards.

As I have said elsewhere Australia has this huge poker league here that is is sponsered by wild turkey and is generally free.  it means you have to play some people that have no idea, but it is practice at no cost.  I would suggest looking around to see if there are tourneys and games like that.  At the very least it will get you introduced to other players in your area and you could find a huge number of home games to play at at low stakes and without a rake to worry about.

Cheers

[luckystraights]

If you want, we can play some micro heads up on pokerstars or full tilt... I am an average micro player and maybe you could make some money off of me...

Actually Lucky, I would be inclined to recommend the HU matches, as they are very soft and beatable.  However, the main reason for suggesting them is that you can gain a lot of experience in playing all sorts of flops and situations in a HU match, so it may improve your game to play some of them (and they can get pretty addictive if you win at them).

Thats a timely point, I was thinking the same not long ago, and almost PM'd you for tips, knowing that this is an area you excel at.

Usually if I get into the money, I'll take 1st, but I don't always get there so this could be a good thing for me to try. Played several heads-up sessions before on PS, but all where limit, haven't played a heads-up NL match online yet, definitely worth a try.

Thanks

 EDIT : Just sat in one, and took first in 7 minutes. My K5 hit on the second hand and gave me a commanding chip lead, I kept up the pressure and soon after he just sat out, allowing me to blind him off. I always enjoy winning the first attempt of something new, that little bit more then usual, so this was especially nice.

The nice thing is that you can obviously get far more of these in then a regular sit-n-go, albeit with a reduced payout and a slightly greater buy-in vs reward.


 EDIT 2 : Just when I thought these would be fun, the next two go... all-in, all-in, all-in, all-in... get revered in both

http://luckystraights.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/heads-up-madness/

[FSL009]

I played in a couple of SNG's last night to get a feel for them again. 

The first was a multi-table $1 buy in on FTP and I went out 37th of 45 on a couple of badly played hands from my part. 

I then played a single tabled $1 buy in on FTP.  I did well with this one and ended up first.  I ended up about second lowest stake at one stage.  Just because I was playing the lower end of my starting hands and getting out flopped and trying to buy a pot which is un purchasable. 

I sorted that out eventually and started to conserve myself up.  Went all in in the button with 88 to steal the blinds, everyone folded as planned

then got AA and doubled up.

Anyway the point is by good hand selection and playing position with middle to low range hands, I ended up the big stack and then I used it to great advantage.  re-raising, calling and setting up for a post flop steal in some cases was also very advantageous.  Used position well with a decent stack.  Showing a few good hands in a row pretty much spooked them all.

And just sitting back and letting the others do alot of the work in removing each other as well.

My last hand was AKc  was all-in post flop to 10K v 2k stacks and he called with medium club connectors.  I hit the A on the turn and away we went. 

I guess I just wanted to note that you do have to sit and wait for the decent hands at low limit and let them play their carp cards against you when your ready, not the other way around.  Good hand selection and postion plays will get rewarded eventually. 

Cheers