SNG Bankroll Builder Strategy

I was thinking of trying a new strategy for building my bankroll on line using SNGs. Let me know what you think:

Start with 40 buy-ins at the $5 SNGs.

When I win a SNG I move up a level.

If I win a $5 SNG. I move onto a $10.

If I move to the $10. I play this level until I win(moving to the $20 SNG), cash( 2nd or 3rd stay at $10 level), or bust(move back down to the $5's).


When I reach 40 buy-ins for $10 level SNGs, it becomes my new starting level.

I posted a similar thread on another forum, but have not had much of a response. I made some minor changes with this post. I lowered the min. amount of buy-ins and changed the starting level.

It sounds like a good idea... but what if you get 2nd in the first 5 dollar... would you play another 5 dollar?

2nd comment.. you really have to stick to the plan and not deviate just because you lost a couple of 5 dollars...

Last comment.. what if u start out losing three 5 dollar tournaments... if you won the fourth one would you go up to the next level?

Too weird imo. You don't want to be switching back and forth between levels, you'll just get too confused about how to play the different levels. You might swing between 5 and 40$ SnG's within 3 tournaments and the play is going to be really different.

Not to mention that if you go on a hot streak you will be underrolled and likely end up losing a large portion of your Bankroll. There's a reason standard BRM is standard. It works.

The short version (I tend to be verbose and confusing):
If you think you can crush the lower limits with your abilities already, try this out. If you are just starting out and don't have all the fundamentals down, stick with a more traditional BRM guideline.

The explanation:
If you think your abilities are beyond the $5 level, I think this is definitely worth a shot. By having a 40 buy in base, you are essentially over-rolling yourself for the standard BRM rules and if your abilities are beyond that of a $5 or $10 SnG level, this will allow you to progress faster.

That being said, the big counterargument, as james has pointed out, is that different buy in's often play differently, and knowing how a buy in plays will often allow you to play more optimally. There are certain things you will learn and need to improve on at each level so there are definite pro's to progressing the normal way if there are things you need to still learn at the lower buy ins.

You have to win to move up a level. I would have to play the $5 until I finished 1st. However, I need to maintain the 40 buy-in level for the $5 level. If I don't have 40 buyins(at the $5 level) I can not move up. I really need a win with 40+ buy-ins to start the steps.

jamesdadeliverer said:

Too weird imo. You don't want to be switching back and forth between levels, you'll just get too confused about how to play the different levels. You might swing between 5 and 40$ SnG's within 3 tournaments and the play is going to be really different.

Not to mention that if you go on a hot streak you will be underrolled and likely end up losing a large portion of your Bankroll. There's a reason standard BRM is standard. It works.

Click to expand...

If I start with $200, and I go on a hot streak, win 3 in a row. This would put me into a $30 SNG. I have already won $136.50($336.50 BR). My BR would increase by almost 70%. I lose the $30,my bankroll drops to $303.50. I have to drop down to the $5 level, because I do not have the min. 40 buy ins. All I am risking is part of my winnings from the previous SNG.

I think using this method I would benefit greatly from a hot streak, with minimal risk.

Keaton, this is a very interesting strategy. Kinda aggressive, I like it. I, agree it's a deviation from standard BRM. I do agree it might get confusing playing the different level buyins. I don't see much difference between the $5 and $10 level. However, the $20 level is a little different. But yeah man, it's a strategy thinking outside the box. Just because it's not the norm, doesn't mean it wont work. There are checks and balances you built in, so you are minimizing your loses if you run bad, and you are maximizing your profit if you are running hot!!! I say go for it!!! Let us know how you do!!

TriggaLos said:

Keaton, this is a very interesting strategy. Kinda aggressive, I like it. I, agree it's a deviation from standard BRM. I do agree it might get confusing playing the different level buyins. I don't see much difference between the $5 and $10 level. However, the $20 level is a little different. But yeah man, it's a strategy thinking outside the box. Just because it's not the norm, doesn't mean it wont work. There are checks and balances you built in, so you are minimizing your loses if you run bad, and you are maximizing your profit if you are running hot!!! I say go for it!!! Let us know how you do!!

Click to expand...

Thank You, You said it much better than I did. I have been playing SNGs for a few years now, and I just wanted to try a strategy to build a larger BR quicker. I built my first BR using the traditional method.

Ok, I see. I thought you moved down one level when you bust, but you go back to the baseline level no matter how high you got. That seems less risky in terms of risking too much of your bankroll on a few tournaments.

Still, I think the 20$ tournaments will play differently from the 5$ tourneys, but you know yourself better than I do. If it works for you, more power to you.

Your basically talking about a loose version of a 'steps' system.
Most of the poker sites used to run these, not sure who still do.
I.E. you buy into level 1 - a 9 seat $3 game, 1st and 2nd (often 3rd too) get a ticket to the next level, (maybe a $9 9 seat game), and continue to (usually) level 5 where the buy in would be few hundred and there are some prizes worth winning! Obviously you can buy directly into higher levels or grind from level 1.
I like the sound of what your doing, but not as a long term BRM plan. Sure it'd be a fun way to kill a weekend, maybe make a few dollars and experience different levels, but as mentioned above, you should really be concentrating on one level at a time.
It might be the same game, but its played differently at different levels, as weird as that sounds!
That said, there are still as many fish as sharks at the higher stakes! Best of luck to you, keep us posted as to how high you get on the steps!

if you play 1-table sng then you cant move second level after first win. if ur playing multitables i think 5$ on about 90 handed sng is good prizepool... dunno better see how high is your bankroll and then move up, not just looking on wins

keaton said:

If I start with $200, and I go on a hot streak, win 3 in a row. This would put me into a $30 SNG. I have already won $136.50($336.50 BR). My BR would increase by almost 70%. I lose the $30,my bankroll drops to $303.50. I have to drop down to the $5 level, because I do not have the min. 40 buy ins. All I am risking is part of my winnings from the previous SNG.

I think using this method I would benefit greatly from a hot streak, with minimal risk.

Click to expand...

i too tired and lazy to do all the math. i also dont really play SNGs. i was wondering if this always work out like this. what i mean is when you have to go back to the $5 level do you always have more $ than you last started the level with? eg started w/$200 1st time 2nd time $303. i do something like that for a ring game.

1st shot 20 BIs drop at 19
2nd shot 22 BIs drop at 20
3rd shot 25 BIs drop at 21
>3rd shot 30 BIs drop at 22

although i drop one level not to the starting one. very interesting all i can say is give it a shot IDK why not just take a shot w/$5 and see how far it goes. if it doesnt work out re-up for $5. this way you get to see if it will work out and not risking to much trying.

I know Party still offer a steps program (and P Stars)

I'm not sure what other rooms do.

Full Tilt has a similar feature with 26$ and 75$ tournament tokens, and SnGs giving a token to top 1 or top 2 finishers (and good cash for the runner up). Like a 55/45 or 35/35/30 payout structure.