$30 SNG limit Hold 'em

[PShabi]

When I posted about my decent tourney finish in the $5, 2000 man tourney someone (penugin?) posted that they stayed away from them and play just SNG.

I looked into it, and saw that the payout and the odds made it much smarter to play there. So, being a limit player (NL too, but limit is my specialty) I decided to try a 20 man limit tourney for $30.

My early strategy, treat it like a normal limit cash game and play my normal tight/agressive style. Felt like if I caught normal amount of cards I'd be alright.

Worked well, as I got to the final 10, with a short stack though. Caught a good run and got in the run with 5 left.

The part that got dicey was when it got down to 3 handed play. All blind stealing, no showdowns, very hard to get reads at all. I imagine this is the norm during this part of a limit tourney (blinds were 1200 and all three stacks were between 5 - 8,0000). I adjusted and did my best and managed second place.

The pay was damn good for $33 I got $180 back.

Can anyone offer any expertise or advice during these tournaments at any stage, but especially during the final 5 and beyond?

Thanks.

[Penguinfan]

The two and three table SNG games can be profitable and I think you saw exactly what the usual experience is. Someitmes you get to the point in these games where the blinds are so high it really does come down to luck, I hate to say that, but it's true. I have been heads up in 2-table games at stars where we have say 15000 and 12000 but the blinds are 1000/2000, you really can't misplay a hand or take even 1 semi bad beat or your sunk, but you also can't just wait for good cards. I have been heads up several times and had AQ only to see AK, and yes I have had KK against AA heads up, thats just not supposed to happen dammit.

[PShabi]

Just played in my second limit SNG. Twenty men, but nobody would sign up for $30 so I played a $20. Got a third place finish this time. 2 for 2 in the money.

Felt like I would've won both too if not for some bad luck. 3 different times I put someone all in with the best hand, only to have them river a straight or something. Definitely had fun and will continue playing them simul. witha cash table.

[SirFWALGMan]

I find the SNG's as well as the MTT's to get down to luck, or as I like to call them NL Tourneys, by the end. When I play the 22/2 SNG, I usually do not try to be too aggressive until the blinds get to be 100/200 and then I have to make a move. It all becomes getting the cards at that point in the game before you are blinded out. I have been in dead last with 300 left and finished first. It is all about catching a few hands and getting people to bet into you when you have the best hand. When it is down to three players I like to be more aggresive, go for blind steals, etc.. It becomes easier as most people get weak at this level.