B&M SNGs: Availability, Rake, ... ?

[Collin Moshman]

Hi Guys,

For those of you who have played live B&M SNGs -- standard 3 persons paid format rather than, say, a qualifier to a major event -- could you comment on their availability (where have you found them offered?), common rakes, structures, and levels of competition?

Also, were you allowed to choose your own seat, or was it randomly determined?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Best Regards,
Collin

[jgunnip]

Knowing where you are from or where you plan to play would probably be helpful information. Also there is a B&M forum that could probably answer this question better than most posters here.

[AMT]

what jeff said.

In addition,

I've played some b&M sngs in florida and seen them running all over Las vegas. The rake is generally very high, the structure pretty shallow, and the quality of play generally terrible (bad poker players, but more specifically no one understands ICM or late game strategy).

[Collin Moshman]

I will cross-post in B&M if necessary ... but my interest is more of a general one regardling live B&M SNG play rather than details about specific casinos or locations.

Thanks for the preliminary feedback, ATM.

Best Regards,
Collin

[citanul]

Collin,

are people who provide you "general information" that you are obviously collecting for your book, that you could otherwise just find out with a series of phone calls, going to be given credit for their information?

[Ditch Digger]

I only see them when a major event is coming up(I've played them at the Tunica WSOP circuit event, the 2006 WSOP, and at the 2007 Aussie Millions). In Vegas some casinos run them when there is interest but they don't really go off that often.

The buyins range from $50-1k(sometime higher such as the infamous 10k SNG's at Monte Carlo this year) and are usually winner take all. Rake is next to impossible to beat at some of the lower levels and you'll also be expected to tip the dealers at USA casinos.

IMO, they are pretty well a waste of time at any level below the $200+ buyins. From what I've seen the competition even at the upper buyins is at best equivalent to a $30 online SNG.

[cha59]

[ QUOTE ]
what jeff said.

In addition,

I've played some b&M sngs in florida and seen them running all over Las vegas. The rake is generally very high, the structure pretty shallow, and the quality of play generally terrible (bad poker players, but more specifically no one understands ICM or late game strategy).

[/ QUOTE ]

What AMT said, plus they generally take a long time to fill because some people sign up and then dont show up for the game when their name is called.

[cha59]

[ QUOTE ]
From what I've seen the competition even at the upper buyins is at best equivalent to a $30 online SNG.

[/ QUOTE ]

I played a 90 at Venetian and the competition was vastly inferior to a Stars 6.50.

[Collin Moshman]

Hi citanul,

Yes, I would credit any information used in my writings that was taken directly from STTF.

However, since the final draft of all material for my book was submitted on 5/15, I am afraid that no one providing information in this thread would qualify for recognition in the SNG book. Maybe a future one though [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks to everyone who has provided feedback so far.

Best Regards,
Collin

[bones]

Colin,

The standard live SNG is typically held at a prominent obstetrician's house. Buyin is typically around 2k with a $200 rake that covers booze, strippers, and a big sub. Payout is typically 3 spots, but top heavy. Live strucutes are different than online structures primarily because of permissible lap dance breaks where you are not blinded off.

The field is typically very difficult, but it doesn't really matter if you win or lose (lol j/k. ship it) because all the money goes to Rhino and Skipperbob at the end of the night.

Hope this helps.