SNG Formula

I read a post recently about something called the “SNG formula” and it intrigued me.  The best I can determine is it means the lack of real poker playing happening post-flop, on the turn and on the river.  Too often people go all-in rather than playing poker.  At a single table this is understandable.  With the stacks so small compared to the blinds big pushes happen.  

The other night at Hard Rock a 10-person single table was over in 31 hands.  The blinds just made it to 200/400 when the final three of us chopped it to get to the next table.  There was no poker played at this table.  Three people made big bets on the flops to take big leads.  That left everyone to be blinded or just push all-in with junk.  It was completely lacking in skill.

So this leads me to my own play.  I have been very successful on single tables, live and online.  Does that mean I’m not playing skilled poker?  Sometimes I think that’s true, but then I luckily take a 3rd place finish in a 117-person $60 multi-table the other night to at least make me think I’m skilled.

My take:  I think there is skill at the single tables it’s just a different skill than the multi-tables.  I also think one must graduate from single tables before adapting to the gamer of multi’s.  That’s my plan, though I have a long way to go.

Or have I completely misinterpreted the meaning of “SNG formula”?

On side note, because of my run over the past three nights at Hard Rock and Paradise I am now officially back in the black for my entire poker career.  I feel a little validation now.  LOL

Everyone needs a plan

When you want to accomplish something you need a plan.

My goal: get back in the black with poker. Yeah, seems obvious, but until recently I’ve been letting my losses be justified as a part of the learning process. Well as you’ve seen in my posts last month I figured it was time to make some money back.

My first plan seems to be working for me. It’s rather quite simple. I focus on single table tournaments. But the key is to look at 10 tournaments at a time. So I took $330 and said let’s see how I do with 10 straight tables. Results: great. Then I took $550. Results: even! On the third set of 10 I had great results again.

Here’s where I think it makes a huge difference. Before I would find myself playing tight on every table reaching to get in the money. If I didn’t, depression. But I was playing scared poker and I was also not experimenting. When you’re willing to lose a tournament it takes so much pressure off of you that you play better. Much better!

Looking at the big picture, 10 tables at a time you get to see results. If you’re not winning move down a level. If you’re consistently winning try a higher level.

Prior to this approach I was 0-for-6 at the $50+$5 level. Now I am in the black at that level and am not at all intimidated by the other players like I was before.

I’ve set the end of September as my goal for being in the black. I’m 2/3 of the way there now. Wish me luck!

Decisions and Outcomes

What would you do with a weekend alone without the wife and daughter?

Last weekend I chose to spend it at the Hard Rock.  If I were there any longer I would have needed a hotel room.  

Quick summary.  0-for-3 Friday night at the $225 SNGs.  Moderate wins Saturday and 0-for-1 Sunday.  That’s when I entered the $85+$15 multi-table tournament.  With unlimited rebuys in the first hour I was down $420 before I knew it.  With only 13 out of 137 places paying, here are a couple of key hands.

First hand:  Bad decision, good outcome.  There is a big difference between and a bad decision and a bad outcome.  This was a bad decision.  Short stacked I limp in late position with AQoff.  Blinds call with one other early position caller.  Flop is 9-7-9.  Small blind checks, big blind goes all-in having me covered.  The other caller folds and I go into the tank.

I’ve played this gentleman before, I’m certain he doesn’t have a 9.  He’s just representing a 9.  I think he’s on some kind of draw.  If he had a nine he’d trap.  So I figure I have overcards to his draw and I call.  He shows 7-4 for two pair.   A queen on the turn and I take down the pot.  

Now I did get fortunate.  But even more than that. The early position limper folded pocket kings!!!!  Can you believe it?  If he had called I’d have been gone.

Bad decision.  Good outcome.

Second hand: Good decision.  Good outcome. We’re down to 12 people.  Two tables of six.  I call with 10-Js, the button calls and BB checks.  Flop comes 4-10-J.  I check my top two pair to trap because I know the button is playing aggressive and will sense weakness on me.  He bets half the pot and I push all-in.  He has no business calling me with his hand.  He has to know he’s beat.  But he does and shows J-8.  I take down a monster pot.

Good decision.  Good outcome.

I go on to finish 9th for $470, minus $30 tip.  Nets me $20 for four hours of tournament play.  But I have no regrets.  Even though I could have made more money on the SNGs that day, I picked some valuable experience.

I have since placed  6th out 399 online in a $15 MTT for $300.  And my $50+$5 SNGs on Paradise are going real well.  Hopefully I can not get too cocky here too soon.

Quotes

There are two quotes that I’ve heard recently in my life that really get me jazzed. If they click with you, then you’ll know why I think they’re related to poker. If not, then just enjoy them.

From the West Wing’s Toby Zeigler, speaking of the President’s role in our country:

The man [presidential candidate] in that job shouldn’t have to be presented with {an offer to run for president]! It’s for someone who grabs it and holds on to it, for someone who thinks the gods have conspired to bring him to this place, that destiny demands of him this service! If you don’t have that kind of drive, that hubris, how in the hell are you going to make the kind of decisions that stump every other person in this country? How in the hell are you going to hold that kind of power in your hand?!
And from Tyler Durden in Fight Club:

We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

Yes the last one was brought to my attention from an interview with Jeff Madsen (two WSOP bracelets in 2006).