I think I need a boost...

[Talking Poker]

You probably know that I've been playing almost exclusively $200 HU SNGs for a while now - pretty much all of 2008 (I played a bunch of $100s in January, but all $200s since). I've played 938 this year, and have a 6.6% ROI. Note that that is including 150 $220 turbos where I had a -13.3% ROI (ugh - nasty combo of running AND playing badly resulted in me going 68-82). Lifetime in the $200 regulars (838 matches), I have a 9.3% ROI. These numbers are not including rakeback, bonuses, etc.

I will be the first to admit that I have been running pretty damn hot for the past week and change, but I also had two ridiculous downswings earlier this year. I think approaching 1000 SNGs is probably a decent sample, right?

So, here's the problem (and I guess it's a good problem to have): I keep building up my account and then cashing out, rinse and repeat. I WANT to take it to the next level (I think I do anyway), but $500 buy ins are 2.5x what I'm playing at now - and knowing how easy it is to lose 4, 5, 6 in a row (I once lost TEN straight $220+10 turbos), I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of potential downswing.

How many buy ins do you think I should have (leave) online before taking a shot? Should I maybe try to play a set number of them (maybe 10?), and move back down if I win 5 or less, and continue with the shot if I win 6 or more?

I really don't know what to do. I feel like I'm at a crossroad, and I'm torn. Quite frankly, I'm happy to keep grinding out the $200 SNGs, so I just might do that. But I'm interested to hear people's thoughts.