Winning SnGs with no cards?

[ShortPoolGuy]

(Mods, forgive me if there's a similar topic, I looked through a few pages of history and didn't see it, so delete if there is and point me in the right direction)

It seems that I can usually do well in SnGs and place ITM quite often. However, occasionally I'll have one of those tourneys where I see absolutely nothing remotely playable for the longest time. I'll see T5, 93, J6, 73, etc. until I'm down to 6xBB or so.

Then, I'm basically in All-in or Fold mode, finally catch something marginal (like AQ), and run into AK or KK or the like, and I'm out. I finish in 5th or so without playing any hands.

I have two questions: First, is this scenario avoidable? If not, how often do you think it happens? One out of every five tourneys?

[drmcboy]

1) No. Sometimes you just get crap. Occasionally you can get lucky and hit your crap from the blinds or on a steal. You should be trying to steal sometimes. Use your tight image.

2) Impossible question to answer. Not often enough to make it the reason you lose long term, but 2-3 tourneys in a row with no cards can happen for sure.

You should usually be moving before you get down to 6x BB.

[naturaltan]

Not sure what limits you are playing, but at the 5.50 at pokerstars, as per the experienced ones here say, if you get a read on those after you, you can start 'buying' blinds with an allin play. Not many seem prepared to leave the tourney on a coin flip.