Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

What are the top three things to remember when you sit down at a STT if you really want to improve your results?

I once read that under pressure most people can only remember three things (maybe that's why it's Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!).

So come on all you experts. How can minnows like me improve from only just profitable to making some real money?

My experience:
>Played STTs for about one year.

>Only previous Poker experience some limit ring games.

>Played 1200 STTs (mostly NLHE full table regulars 5+0.5 and 10+1 at various sites).

>Up $1160, including bonuses and rakeback. (ROI 11.8%)

>Tried some multi-tabling (up to three- tritabling?)

>Read several books incl. Lee Jones (useful), HOH 1 & 2 (very useful) and Moshman book (not as useful as I had hoped).

>Prefer to raise or fold rather than call. Rarely cold call, check-raise or bluff (except blind-steals and continuation bets). Play very tight early on then open up if short or on the bubble. Push light on bubble in late position but call all-ins only with good hands.

>Have been reading this forum for several months but have rarely posted. Have studied ICM a little.

>Am I answering my own question?

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

1. Read the FAQ
2. Read the goddamned FAQ.
3. WTF is wrong with you? Why haven't you read the FAQ yet?

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

It can't be stressed enough to study bubble play. Invest in a program such as SNGPT or SNG Wizard. The only problem would be correctly identifying your opponents calling ranges. At the low stakes I believe you need to identify whether the player knows ICM or not.

As for your stats, 11.8% ROI looks OK. Perhaps you should attempt to play more tables and a tighter game.

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Have studied ICM a little.

[/ QUOTE ]

After a year and 1200 sngs, you should have studied ICM a lot.

Also, you said you like to c/r. I find that most people c/r in the wrong spot. Ie, they c/r top on dry flops making it impossible for your opponent to play poorly against you. If they have a good TP they are coming a long no matter what. If they don't, your c/r will make it an easy fold for any worse hands.

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

at low stakes:
1. dont bluff idiots
2. dont push into calling stations with marginal hands
you dont really need to know much more i think.
if opponents are clearly incapable of reshoving you might just make standard raises instead of the suggested push fold method.

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

Top 3 things to remember at low stakes STTs

1. Each chip you gain is worth less than each one you lose.
2. People are [censored] awful.
3. Patience is key!

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

1. Tight early.
2. Learn to to play the bubble. (Power Tools, SNG Wizard)
3. Be prepared for the downswings. They will happen.

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

Thanks for the mainly constructive comments.
Looks like I have a lot more work to do on ICM and Bubble play!

Quote: "Also, you said you like to c/r. I find that most people c/r in the wrong spot."

My OP said I rarely check-raise (or bluff).

Quote: "...11.8% ROI looks OK."

Excluding bonuses and rakeback, my ROI is only about 7%.
I assumed that the attainable ROIs in the FAQs excluded these. Am I wrong?

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

1. Avoid Situations where you get into a tough spot (Calling with AJo early OOP) .
2. Never f---ing slowplay.
3. Play straightforward poker.

Re: Improving at Low Stakes STTs: Top three things to remember?
 

1. Exploit the donks.
2. Trust ICM.
3. Play higher volume / add more tables.