1st place vs. hourly profit

[Poker Clif]

I've been playing online (fake money) for a while, on various sites, as well as reading and studying, and I'm about to start with real money, $3 SNG on PokerStars. Sometimes, with small stack but plenty of BB, I will play heads-up or with two other players extremely tight, fold a bunch of hands, frustrate my opponent(s) and eventually jump in with a great hand when he keeps trying to get me all-in. This often seems to works as a strategy, but can lead to some VERY long heads-up matches for a higher place. Should I be calculating the effect of tournament length on my hourly profit, or is trying to win, by whatever means, a good habit to form regardless of other considerations? I do not plan on multitabling, at least for a while.

[TheNoodleMan]

Winning is always going to be much better for your hourly rate. It really isn't close.

[loxxii]

Are you asking if you should settle for second place in order to keep the game shorter?

[Poker Clif]

Not exactly. I'm asking if I should consider a style change to spped up the game while still trying to win, or just stay with what seems to work against certain types of players.

[DevinLake]

You have to continue to make good +EV decisions. Just trying to get it over with quickly, will cost you more in winnings than you'll gain with shortening your tournaments.

But, you may be calling too tight. Play with ranges your opponents could have and see what you should be calling with heads up.

SNGPT has a good tutorial on HUs play.

[Poker Clif]

Is that a web site, or a forum on here?

[tozzy]

Its a tool.

[DevinLake]

[ QUOTE ]
Is that a web site, or a forum on here?

[/ QUOTE ]

It is software that runs ICM based calculations. Read the FAQ to learn more about ICM.

http://www.sitngo-analyzer.com/

[ICMoney]

The bubble usually bursts within the first five minutes of a play money tournament.

This will not be true, even in a $3 STT.

Learn to play short-handed and ITM and it will pay dividends in the $6 and $15 STT when you move up.

The best thing you can do now is learn ICM.

ICMoney

[fluorescenthippo]

fake money games are ITM lvl 1. you wont have this "problem" nearly as much with teh reals monies