Sit N Go

i have yet to ever play a sit n go
anyone have any suggestions on
what limit i should start at first?
i'm not a bad player, just want to get
a feel for it before i try anything big
should i play a 9 player SNG first ?

PLay whatever your bankroll dictates.

I think 20 - 30 buyins should be ok so divided your bankroll by 20-30 and start there.

If you win for a while your bankroll will increase and you will be able to go up a level or two (simply divide a bigger bankroll by 20-30)

On the other hand you may loose and your bankroll decreases... again divide this smaller bankroll by 20-30 and hey presto thats your new level.

Personally I wouldnt suggest putting anymore than $50 per month of your own money into it... learn to beat the low games and your BR will increase .. which inturn allows you to play bigger and bigger games.

well i haven't put any of my own money into poker, my entire bankroll consists of earned money, after cashing out $70 i have $35 to build on !

then go from the $35

While I like Stu's idea of having 20-30 SNG buy-ins in your bankroll, I would suggest that you start off at the lowest limits possible, Liza. Even if it means you have 100+ buy-ins in your bankroll. If you're BR is less than 20-30 buy-ins, then BRM doesnt really apply and you're forced to play at the lowest limits.

If you're not familiar with SNGs and how they play, definitely started of at the lowest limit, 9 handed tables. This is a perfect place to start so you can get an idea of how the game plays, the blind structures, and everything. The game plays at exactly the same in the $1 limit and the $20 limit, the quality of play is very different but the same rules apply. So, if you're looking to play to get knowledge and a better understanding of the game, start at the bottom. And then once you're more comfortable you can move up to the limits your BR allows you to play.

There are few types of SNGs, so I would say to give each one a try to see which is more suitable for you.

Normal single table (ST) SNGs are the most basic and a great place to start for beginners and those new to SNGs. Think of it as a final table in a small tournament.

Turbo STSNGs are similar to normal games except blinds increase much faster. If you're not used to making decisions fast or being forced into shove/fold situations quickly, I would stay away from these games for now. But once you get used to them and know how to play, they're just as beatable as normal STSNGs. The big pro to turbos is that they're a lot faster so you can get twice as many games in as you would a normal. The swings are much higher in turbos, though.

Normal Multitable (MT) SNGs are pretty much like multi-table tournaments. Depending on the site there can be 18, 27, 36, 45, 90, 180, or more player SNGs. While its similar to an MTT, the big difference is the set number of players and the set pay structure. I like playing MTSNGs because it gives me some MTT training as well while being easy to beat (less players). The only I would recommend is to make sure that the pay structure is worth your time to play. For example: say that a $1 45 man SNG pays $14 for first and you estimate its going to take about 2 hours to beat. So, you're making about $6.5 an hour. Now say that the 90 man SNG pays $20 for first and you estimate its going to take 4 hours to beat. So, you'd be making only $4.75 an hour. So, while the 90 man pays more for 1st, you're making a bigger hourly rate for the 45. Its easier to beat a 45 man than it is a 90 man because of the less players and you're getting a better hourly rate, so I would be more inclined to play the 45 seat. There is nothing wrong with 90 seat SNGs, but if you're looking to build up your BR, its something to look for.

Turbo MTSNGs is exactly the same thing as above. I like playing the higher number of player games: 180+ players because first is usually a decent pay-out and it being a turbo means it doesnt take as long, so the hourly rate is much greater than it would be for a normal.

i suggest you start with a 50 cent sit n go and try the 6 seater instead of 9 because 9 pays 3 places but you have 3 more players to get out and it pays the same as a 6 player but you only have to knock out 4 to get paid instead of 6 to get paid in a 9 seater ...and avoid the turbos and the ultra turbos till you get used to them blinds go up really fast ...

Take Philthy's advice, start at the lowest and see how it feels/goes. Be aware that variance will play havoc with your results which is why you need the bankroll behind you.

fwiw, if you're on Tilt, the step between $1 and $2 in terms of ability I find to be quite a big jump, but there's also a big difference in rake to consider. Stars I think jumps from $1 to $5 for the regular SnGs.

I personally enjoy the single table SNGs for beginning players. There are many sites that offer micro buy-ins which are a good way to get your feet wet. These provide the players who have limited BRs a chance to practice their tournament strategies. You will get the experience you need to improve your game and still have a fair chance of placing ITM. After playing those for a while you will know what kind of chances you have at playing the higher buy-ins without hurting your BR too much.

I have a big problem, because Im Brazilian, so the laws here doesn't permit that I pay cassino with my creditcard.

So I m played freeroll only to tried win 5~10 US$ to start to play real money and create my bankroll

My method on freerolls was to learn how to play them on the playchip tables. When you can place 1, 2 or 3 50% of the time and finish first at least twice out of ten games then go to the cash games. You should have twenty buy ins at any level you play. If you can afford it try playing at the 10 dollar level. You usually pay only a 10 percent buyin fee. If you can win 2 out of ten and make the money half of the time then you are beating the game. Don't move up until your bankroll supports it. 20 buyins at the new level.

There is mention above that many sites have micro stakes; however the ones I frequent most (FT, PokerStars, Bodog) don't seem to have anything less than $1. What are sites that have micro-stakes Sitngos?

$1 is considered micro-stakes.

I think absolute has .09 and .50 SNGs, but those are a waste of time.

One other suggestion to get comfortable with SnGs. Bodog offers 10 man single table beginner SnGs. These games pay 5 places instead of 3. The payout of 1st and 2nd is less but it's very easy to cash on these tables. It will limit the variance alot.

Im the exact opposite, Cash games scare the hell outta me.. Too many times has my bankroll taken a massive hit because of spur of the moment calls.
Forget the $1's start with $2 sngs, It's just not worth the effort for 4 dollars..

these ones are to start at realy
if 5 placed are paid you just have to knockout 5 other donkeys
and you win
just try to build your br up from the lowest buyins or you could try the 0.10 tourneys on ft whit 1k prize money but there are alot of people in there
i would say just stay at the lowest limit sngs till you think you can handle the next lvl and your br can to

I gotta disagree. At first it is not about winning $, it's about getting comfortable with the structure. In fact, I'd recommend playing some play-money games first. Maybe a 45 player game, as the final table will have some better players.

Once you're beating the free-games, move to the cheapest S&G's.

When you beat those on a consistent basis, move up a level. Keep this up until you get to a level you can't beat, or aren't properly rolled for. And of course, if you don't feel comfortable moving up, don't do it. Just takes steps you are comfortable with.

You're not doing this as an occupation. At these limits if it's not fun, it's not worth doing. So just do what you enjoy. But keep in mind that your bankroll is fragile at this point. If you want to keep "playing" with it, you need to manage it well. That means being cautions and moving up slowly.

They may have recently added them, but now Stars offers $3 SnGs, which is still a decent jump, but the rake gets 50% lower.

Are you talking about freerolls for money or SnG's for play money? Personally I hadn't played NL hold'em much until 2 weeks ago and now I have placed 1st in 12 consecutive NLHE play money STT sngs, so I think you should be able to cash more than 50% of the time before going to real money. The competition changes a lot.

I, maybe a minority, but I find smaller sitngos more stressfull and difficult than the larger 27- 45 MTT. In the MTT, play is generally tighter in the beginning, and gets progressively looser, giving me more time and oppurtunity to build my chipstack.

But it may just be my tournament style.

BTW, I started with $40 (including dep bonus) and played the $1 buy ins. A good month has me a little over $100 and bad months have me almost back to my buyin. But I am having fun!

Just a differnt view, I guess.

I really like : Never fold 2-7 os when the flop is gonna come 7-7-2. And I also prefer slow deliberate play. I'll take a 45 MTT anyday over a sng single table turbo.

you may even want to start with play money in the higher limits. sng's play different than ring. good idea to get use to the differences first.

I say higher limits because too many all-ins on the first hand in the lower limits. even though its play money, the higher limits have more serious play.