Have played at Party for just over two yrs now.First 12 mos played $25NL ring games almost exclusively. Despite reading Brunson/Sklansky/Helmuth, watching forums , etc., lost around $2500 net.
Assessing my play, would say 70% of losses attributable to impatient/very weak play on my part. Played lame starting hands/chased foolishly/was too "macho" to fold to monster re-raises, etc. But would say 30% of losses attibutable to playing against the many "maniacs" that populate those lowstakes tables @PP. If I had infinite patience and discipline ,i realize could make a fortune from these calling stations, but i just dont. Plus the constant influx of new players/money to the ring games made it impossible(for me) to get any kind of read on the other players.

Year ago switched to $5-20 SngG STT's. First 6 mos lost around $500, until realized that STTs are a TOTALLY different sport than ring games.

Realized that Stts are a zero sum game: everytime another player looses a hand, I benefit even though i'm not even in the hand. In ring game, I only benefit if I win the hand. This has done wonders for my patience and winning record.

Last 6 mos im up a little over $1K(still down $2K overall,but i've reversed my downhill slide and am finishing ITM more than 40% of time.

My strategic objective is to get to final 5 in each game. If I get there ive seen enough hands to have a bit of read on the other players, and can usually play on the bubble into the money.

Tactics to get to final 5 are simple---play tighter than a brick! First three levels my min starting hand is 10s or AK. And when i get those hands I play them very aggressive---and show my cards---telling whole table i am one tight ass player, which serves me well in the later levels when I can steal quite a few significant blinds. Patience isnt such a problem for me anymore, as I take joy in others chip losses even to other players. Every time someone loses a chip, I'm in a better position, even if i wasnt the one who won the chip! I'm content to watch others take each other out, and occasionaly taking one out myself with my "monster" hands. (A cautionary tip: NEVER play 1st hand of a PP STT unless youve got pocket rockets--even then beware--some bozo with pocket deuces will go all-in and hit his set!).

After level 3 or 4 I loosen up quite a bit(although not to the point of crazy). I continue to play as aggressively as i dare. In late position i try to steal blinds any time they havent been raised in front of me. If iam dealt or flop a monster i wont be so aggressive, but will try to suck more out of the hand. My objectives here are to build my stack, and get to final 3 or 4.

If i do make it to the money, I have'nt yet developed a personal strategy that i can describe other than playing hyper aggressive. Ive learned that in ring games i was almost always playing the cards, but in the STTs im playing the opponents and the chip stacks. If I make it ITM, I hope my final two opponents are still playing their CARDS.

My "system" isnt based on very much poker experience or expertise, but it has stopped my rapid bleeding, and i'm now making a few bucks(at least over the past 6 mos). I've learned that,personally, STTs are more interesting, challenging , and fun than ring games. Also, I can't see/detect much difference in opponent skill level between PP's $5, $10, and $20 STTs. Although I still consider myself a poker fish, there seems to be a whole bunch of minnows at these stakes. I'm still not confident enough to move up in stakes...I fear the sharks and barracuda's that may swim in those waters.

I'm sure EVERYBODY who posts here at FTR has a lot more experience than me, and I would really appreciate their comments on these musings.