Some initial $27 Stars Turbo SNG numbers...

[Talking Poker]

I'm not an expert on this by any means, but the only thing that stands out to me a little bit are you lack of 8th and 9th place finishes. I wonder if you were to take a few more chance early, and bust out more 8th and 9th, if you would also get a big stack early that would help you get more 1sts-3rds (especially 1sts), as opposed to the pretty much flat distribution you have now from 7th through 1st.

In other words... by taking some more chances early (pump up the aggression and put your opponents to the test, push in with big draws - basically, try to double up early more often), I would think that your 8th and 9th numbers would increase, your 4th-7th numbers would decrease, and hopefully your 1st-3rd numbers would increase.

Does that make sense? If my theory is correct, since 4th-7th pay the same as 8th and 9th, this would increase both your ITM and ROI...

Just a thought.

[New Guy]

I play a ton of 50+5 sit n go's and was pretty much in the same boat .I losend my game up early which lead to of course more early exits but definatly more ITM finishes. Try that out im sure you'll find it to your advantage!!!!

[johnp158]

It is pretty much commonly accepted right now that the key to beating SNGs is VERY tight early, preserving your stack, so you have enough chips to push later. This obviously is with the understanding that you are pushing with a bigger range of hands than people are calling with. This is the strategy you'd find if you were to look at PokerXFactor (sheets is their SNG guy) or most of the posts on pocketfives. I'm pretty sure 2+2 is the same. There are some dissenters, but most people agree that this is the best strategy. Especially for the turbos, I think this is best. A big stack is good, clearly, but survival is more important. It's sort of weird to think like that, especially since a much different strategy can be really helpful for MTTs.

I was definitely struck by the low number of 8th and 9th finishes too. I agree with the sentiment and see why you would immediately think that I should loosen up early, but that's just not general wisdom right now. If nothing else, it's good for multitabling, because if I've busted in a couple, I can have 2 going where the blinds are high and it's fast and furious, and 2 where the blinds are low and I'm almost in autofold mode.

[Aequitas58]

Yes. Turbos are a weird beast ... it's actually contrary to MTT strategy where you would want to take some chances. The more limping, calling, etc the more you simply lose equity when the blinds increase.

[JDMcNugent7]

I don't think because its basically "common knowledge to play tight early for a good winrate" or wutever the quote was, means everyone has to do it. Maybe the fish that cant get away from a hand after they flop 2nd pr. - but if ur better then them I see no reason why its so bad. I've played my share of Turbo $215's on party and I didnt concentrate on playing real tight early just cuz thats "commonly accepted" and my win rate was pretty nice - and i had alot more 8th and 9th finishes than u.

I basically agree with wut TP said.

[johnp158]

I'm not saying that you *can't* open up your play more early on. But to act like that is just a weak way to play that's only for people not good enough to get away from problem hands is just wrong. There are a lot of VERY good SNG players who use this strategy. Turbo SNGs, for the most part, are about making +EV pushes when the blinds get high.

[Aequitas58]

There's more than one way to win a tournament, but I'm get my strategy from ActionJeff.

[johnp158]

Lol. Ditto.