$1100 since November 1st

[skorpeo]

In October I played very badly and dropped half of my $800 stack playing the $11 SNGs on Poker Stars. On November 1st I re-dedicated myself to better play and also dropped down to the nickel table ($5.50). At the lower levels I'm successful by playing very tight early, sometimes not making a bet for the first three levels. At BB 100 I start to open up and toss out blind steals, but always looking to modify my play based on the game. Early on I think I'm weak tight. I'll fold to any aggression if my hand is not very good. When the blinds hit 100 if i am first in I bet 3XBB, I NEVER limp in first when the blinds get large(100 and up). If I don't want to go 3X I fold.I will sometimes call A 1XBB bet. As the game progresses I am a maniac. At BB 200 I bet 2 1/2BB.

I started on the nickel tables for confidence and then decided each time I was up $20 I would play two dime games($11). Then regardless of outcome, I would use that amount as my new base. Go up twenty and repeat.

When I crossed over $800 I played the dime games and when I was up $50 I would play a couple of $20 games and repeat. Last night I went 1-2 on $22 games and was up $160 in only 8 SNGs.

Last time i checked I was consistently above 50% ITM (though last week I had a couple of weak days and that may cut into that).

I am trying to figure out when I should jump permanently to the $22 games. I have at times played quite badly at this level (totally psychological, the play seems only marginally better that $11). But I am getting more comfortable. Oh, I typically play two SNGs simultaneously.

I am interested in feedback.

I've played two games of the most recent FTR tourney and played quite badly (sometimes I think I need I live in shrink the way I can make plays that I KNOW are bad, and against my strategy).

[nickthefool]

I'd say the most important thing is to do something that you feel totally comfortable with. That's what is most likely to produce the best results for you. If you feel comfortable at the $22s then move up to them permenantly.

Personally i like to just play one level at a time, i set myself bankroll limits for moving up and down. It works out so that if i go down 10 buyins at a level i will move down to the level before, and will have more than i started that level with. (eg if i moved down from $11s to $5.5s, i would have a larger bankroll than when i first started the $5.5s)

In this way i feel completely comfortable moving up because i know that the worst that can happen is that i will be on the level i was on before, and i know i can beat that level already.

My system probably isn't the optimum way to maximise earnings, but it ensures that i will not have any mental problems with moving up limits, the only problems will be if the players improve. So far, they haven't, and i've moved through $1, $2, $3, $5, and $10 buyin levels in this way without so far having to move down.

[MAX]

You have the roll for the 22s. You have the discipline to drop down if things go badly. If you think you can beat them, that's what I'd play. If you are not comfortable at that stake, build up your roll until you feel more comfortable (you will become more comfortable as your roll grows).

[skorpeo]

I hit $1500 today so I decided to stay at the $20 level. I'm feeling pretty comfortable. Thanks much for the feedback.
Chris