Too Much Respect

I have just started out playing $1 SNG and MTT. Ideally deep stack.

I know the big games, Daily Dollar (which I have a couple of good cashes in) have some good players in because of the prize pool. Stands to reason and play accordingly.

But for the others i play 90SNG (DS) or 27 SNG do good players actually play these? Or are they mostly learners like myself.

The reason I ask is that I seem to always be laying down the best hand with people overvaluing second pair or ace high.

Is the a leak? I am too tight or should I keep going as I am?

Thanks

It's honestly hard to give you specific advice since your question is so broad.

There are no great players at the small stakes...that is the reason they are there in the first place. A lot of them are probably fish, or are just having fun, but not a whole lot are working hard to get better and understand the game (at least correctly). If you put in a little effort in learning tournament and SNG concepts you will easily be better than the majority of low stake tourney players.

Have you read any books on tournament play? Do you know the hands you should be playing with certain stack sizes and how you should be playing them? Do you understand position?

Check out the forums (cause they're FREE!)... you can even post a hand history in the hand analysis section for some specific advice to make sure you are playing hands correctly.

You may also want to check out Harrington on Hold'em or Colin Moshman's book on SnG's...both are really good books and are worth a read.

Thanks for the reply,

I have read the Harrington Books and FT Strategy Guide for Tournament Play.

Comfortable with position and will only play as a rule top 12% and rarely limp in.

I think it would not hurt to read these again!

With low buy in SnG or MTT you will find mostly fish, but you will find some average or above average players sometimes. Many people are crazed by the Ferguson challenge of starting a bankroll from nothing.

Laying down the best hand too often is definately a leak. You need to try and pay attention to how people are playing. Literally take notes on a pad of paper when you're playing if you have trouble remembering. When playing with fish who over value second pair or ace high you will have to take what looks like some risk. The size of the bets is usually an indicator with fish because a big bet usually means a strong hand. The frequency of calls or bets is usually just them thinking they can still win if you hold a possible winning hand.