New Player - question on BR strategy

Hi all....I recently started playing holdem for money and just came across this site about a week ago. Awesome site btw. I think I've read everything on the main site and I'm on my second read of Tyson's articles.

I currently have a $100 br on pacicifpoker. I started playing .02/.05 limit games and was leaving the table w/ a positive cash flow. But playing those game and waiting for a playable hand was like pulling teeth.

At the moment, I'd much rather play and learn NL so I've been playing 2.50+.25 NL SNG's (5 players). I'm consistently placing ITM so I'm at least breaking even minus the rake. I'm learning a lot here, but I'm wondering if playing 5max isn't a good way to learn NL.

I could also be playing $10 buyins(.05/.10) but to me the SNG's seem like a better investment since I only need to beat 2 players in order to breakeven.

So I have 10 buyins, 1000BB, or 35 SNG's

Can I get some input on this. Should I be learning the game a different way given my BR?

Thanks.

First off, decide what you want to play. If you want to play SnGs, NL ring games, or limit ring games. Then chose the limit according to your bankroll.

Therein lies the problem. I want to play NL, and I think the SNG's are going to allow me to play the most hands possible given my BR. Although I may be able to make more money in the NL ring games, I'm looking at this $100 as tuition more so than an investment. Not that I just want to lose my entire roll, but I'm looking to maximize experience.

*even though tuition is an investment of sorts

It sounds like you could stretch your legs a little bit with your bankroll. I can see what you say about the 5-man SNG possibly not being the optimal learning environment.
If you are ITM all the time, perhaps move to a 10 man SNG, or move up to a $5.50 5 man. If you want to get real bang for your "learning investment", you can play a very long time in a cheap MTT.
Pacific tables are very soft with competition. While you may be preserving your BR making seconds and thirds on $2.50 SNG's, you may not be expanding your abilities without some additional challenge. And the NL ring games are an option, too; if you're skeer'd, just sit down with your $2.50, like your SNG, and consider it a learning investment.

If you don't mind, here's my take on your question. First, I've been there and by looking back on my own motivations I may have some insights. Tell me if I'm right.

1. Limit was fun but now it's like watching paint dry. You played micro-limit to minimize your potential losses from making a mistake and to see if you have what it takes to play.

2. Your attraction to SnG's is based on a similar philosophy - reducing your downside. Your buy-in is your maximum amount risked. Playing 5 player gives you a little more security because you only have to outlast or outplay a couple people. Plus no limit is alot more exciting when you do get involved in a hand. You fold and you fold and you fold and winning a couple bucks on a limit hand seems like a paltry payoff compared to the time invested. So NL gives you that bang for your buck from an emotional sense - even though it's only chips until you get ITM.

The main skill you need in switching from limit to no limit, IMHO, is manipulating pot odds. You can't do it in limit, but you can in NL. The other skill is observing who is going to give you crappy pot odds for drawing hand and who won't and then playing according.

So, my advice is this.

1. If you don't like playing limit then don't play it. Why educate yourself on a game you aren't going to want to play in the future.

2. If that's the case, then you're left with NL. To play SnG's or Ring. I was initially scared of NL ring games so I play a ton of SnG's and won alot of money. But now I enjoy ring games more. They aren't as "dangerous" as you might think, and you get that payoff for playing tight because most others don't.

The nice thing about ring games is that the blinds never increase, so you can camp for days if you want. And when you get a legit hand you'll get paid off. I've camped on a $1/2 game for an hour or more and then played a monster hand or two to double or triple up and then left. I've also played for a couple hours and had basically neutral results. You can control how much or how little you put in the middle. Go to tables with the highest preflop % of players in the pot and play quality cards. Watch out for people drawing and make em pay for that luxury.

SnG's are great, 5 player SnG's aren't going to make you money long term, but they're a good place to learn. NL ring isn't as dangerous as you think if you play smart. Observe a table with a high preflop % for an hour, just watch what people are playing and how the chips move around. You'll be surprised at what people are playing with.

Good luck. Your "education" thinking is very healthy. Do your homework and your tuition will be very low, or show a positive amount.

Thanks for the reply Aokrongly, I think you've nailed where I'm coming from.
Right now I'm happy with the security that these SNG's are offering me. I do see my self making the same progression that you have though. A week from now I may be moving up to 10player SnG's or NL ring games.