Advice from a Loser

[dsmith19711]

For everyone like me, a small stakes (PS $6.50 and $16) player with a negative single digit ROI (I am about -6%), I have one piece of advice:

PLAY FEWER HANDS

I have recently started tightening up significantly until the 75/150 level, and although it's a small sample (maybe 100 SNGs), I am noticing a differnce. My push/fold decisions can come a little later, and instead of making this decision with 6-7 players remianing, I can make it when there are 4-5 players remaining. And when I do push and double up, those extra 150-200 chips I still have become 300-400 chips.

I have basically stopped playing anything other than QQ-AA, AK until the 4th level (so if I am in a hand early with you, fold if you don't have a monster!) I know this advcice is here in a million different places, but it has made such an improvement in my results (again, I know, small sample) that I figured I'd post it.

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. I get from lurking here.

[Mike MacIntosh]

You get even more info by posting hands on a regular basis. Then maybe this AHA moment of play tight early would have come sooner...just my 2 cents.

[taipan168]

Agreed that you have to play very tight early on, but if all you are playing is QQ+ and AK regardless of position then you've probably gone too far the other way. Eg. level 3, it's folded to you on the button with JJ, are you open folding? Also, with small PPs I think you lose value by not limping them for set value.

[Beerocrat]

Calling a PF raise with small-med PPs (especially with a caller) for set value when the blinds are low is ok too...

But, you are thinking the right way. It is better to tighten up a little too much and then open up in certain spots when you feel more comfortable.

[Kibby]

don't over do it but definitely don't speculate in middle position on lvl 2 with KQs. but ya, tightening up is good.

shameless plug, have you read my guide?

[SuitedSixes]

In other news . . . water is wet.

[checkmate36]

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don't over do it but definitely don't speculate in middle position on lvl 2 with KQs. but ya, tightening up is good.

shameless plug, have you read my guide?

[/ QUOTE ]

I limp KQs UTG early on and will fold all other lower hands. I was worried I was too tight.

Are you guys folding this UTG @ lvl 2? If a raise comes from later position its time to play poker. By level 2 I should have a better idea of what the table dynamics are.

Maybe I need to fold this one UTG? Thanks for any ideas/suggestions.

[bussto]

[ QUOTE ]
In other news . . . water is wet.

[/ QUOTE ]

[fluorescenthippo]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
don't over do it but definitely don't speculate in middle position on lvl 2 with KQs. but ya, tightening up is good.

shameless plug, have you read my guide?

[/ QUOTE ]

I limp KQs UTG early on and will fold all other lower hands. I was worried I was too tight.

Are you guys folding this UTG @ lvl 2? If a raise comes from later position its time to play poker. By level 2 I should have a better idea of what the table dynamics are.

Maybe I need to fold this one UTG? Thanks for any ideas/suggestions.

[/ QUOTE ]

fold KQs and AJs utg all levels with a full table and more than 10bb

[taipan168]

The only hands I am playing UTG at level 1 and 2 are JJ+, AQ+ for a standard raise and 22-TT for a limp. Level 3 I drop 22-66 UTG as well unless the table is very passive.