Fast Structured Live SNG's with lots of weak opponents

[KrazyKarl]

I have been playing at the Pokerdome in Newtown in Sydney for a few months now, and while I'm just below break even for lifetime, it has been frustrating me lately how often I've been getting my money in good and losing in these fast structured sit and go's.

The structure for them is really quite terrible. They are $20 SNG's with 10 people, a starting stack of 2000 and 15 minute levels, top 2 pays. The blinds go as follows:

25/50
50/100
100/200
200/400
300/600
400/800
500/1000
1000/2000... it usually doesn't get past here.

Anyway, I have been using the general sit and go strategy that I hear people talk about everywhere, incredibly tight early, to build up an image for stealing later and so you don't risk your tournament life when you don't have to, and then loosen up as the blinds get big, and I generally play pretty aggressively all the way through.

The problem I have been running into is that if I lose a pot early I'm having to shove preflop by the 100/200 level (if not earlier). And the other problem is that people are calling me weak and sucking out. I know this sounds like a bit of a bad beat story, but there has to be something strategically wrong with my play.

My image NEVER seems to pay off, at least not for more than one or two people at the table. Part of the power of sit and go's is the steals when the blinds are big, I have no trouble online. But playing in these sit and go's it seems I can never push my 5 BB stack into the middle and get everyone to fold, regardless of their holdings.

When I say soft, there are usually a few solid players at each table (2-3), but generally play is poor, 4 to the flop when someone has raised to 400 in the 25/50 level, with initial raiser showing down KK and others having hands like A5 suited, KJ off... and some really passive post flop play from some people.

I generally know where a lot of people are at in a hand (though not all of course), but when I'm card dead, I don't have the chips to do anything about it, and if I think they're bluffing and I play back with 8 high, they'll probably call with their king high anyway.

A lot of Sit and Go strategy seems to be useless here! Its really frustrating me. Can anyone please give me some advice as to how to improve my winning percentage in these sit and go's!

[4drugmoney]

I wouldnt even play with that structure.Doesnt seem worth it. As far as advice on your play I dont really know what to tell you.

[DeuceSeven]

Go play craps it's probably less -EV then playing a sng with that structure.

[KrazyKarl]

the problem is at the stakes I can afford, live play in sydney is horrific.

The casino has an incredible rake, and part of the reason I am playing is for fun, but I'm very competitive and like to win.

[DeuceSeven]

What is the rake on these sngs?

[KrazyKarl]

10%
Prize pool is 180, 120 for 1st, 60 for 2nd, deals are common (and I'll generally take one, what with the structure and all)

[KrazyKarl]

Does anyone have anything in the way of advice?

[Lego05]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have anything in the way of advice?

[/ QUOTE ]

Stop playing these sng's.

If you're playing them just for fun then whatever.

[FlyingCarpet]

1st and probably best option is to quit playing these.
2nd option is one that I've experimented with in fast SNGs & MTTs. Forget about building up an image and loosen up your hand ranges early and really step up the aggression with tons of raising & reraising from position. I've seen plenty of weak post flop play in these situations that I've exploited with aggressive play.

Either way, these things are HIGH variance.

[BustoPro]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have anything in the way of advice?

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, value bet early and hope to catch a hand late? What else can you do against loose weak players? The fact that it's an STT doesn't automatically mean that tight early/aggro late is a hard-and-fast rule. Like any other form of poker, you have to adjust to the table.

Of course, with that structure, it's gonna end up as a shovefest no matter what.