Please Help Me Loosen Up

[gingerwizard]

I'm relatively new to online poker. (3 weeks say). I'm also very adept at getting down to around 5 players left in an sng. Problem for me is that when i get here, whatever stack i have, i start to lose chips in a big way.

Often this is due to being eaten by the blinds, getting called with a semi bluff and then driven out post flop after i don't hit.

I play the $6 sng at pp. Players will call with almost anything. (eg with KK i raised 4xBB pre flop and two people re-raised all in, they both had A4 and lost!) I worry after my raise is called and i don't hit pre flop that someone was stupid enough to call me with Jx and has hit.

How do I change gears, keep my lead or better still increase my mid to low stack with 5 left or on the bubble?

Below is an example of how bad I am when it gets down to 5 players. Where are the mistakes and what should I do?

200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:07:32 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 8 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 2: irishbone5 (684)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2185)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (6843)
Seat 8: ralerjak2 (2089)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
zinnaldo posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Jh, Ah ]
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 raises (400) to 400
Raven_509 calls (400)
ralerjak2 folds.
zinnaldo folds.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ad, 2h, 7c ]
GingerWizard1 checks.
Raven_509 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2c ]
GingerWizard1 bets (200)
Raven_509 calls (200)
** Dealing River ** : [ Qh ]
GingerWizard1 bets (200)
Raven_509 raises (725) to 725
GingerWizard1 calls (525)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 2850
Board: [ Ad 2h 7c 2c Qh ]

irishbone5 balance 684, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3710, bet 1325, collected 2850, net +1525 [ Jh Ah ] [ two pairs, aces and twos -- Ah,Ad,Qh,2h,2c ]
Raven_509 balance 5518, lost 1325 [ Kh Qs ] [ two pairs, queens and twos -- Ad,Qs,Qh,2h,2c ]
ralerjak2 balance 2089, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7999, lost 200 (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209823795 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:08:37 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 2: irishbone5 (684)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3710)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (5518)
Seat 8: ralerjak2 (2089)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7999)
irishbone5 posts small blind (100)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 2h, 4h ]
Raven_509 raises (400) to 400
ralerjak2 folds.
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 folds.
Raven_509: n1
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 700

irishbone5 balance 584, lost 100 (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3510, lost 200 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 5818, bet 400, collected 700, net +300
ralerjak2 balance 2089, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7999, didn't bet (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209824274 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:08:53 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 2: irishbone5 (584)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3510)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (5818)
Seat 8: ralerjak2 (2089)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7999)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (100)
Raven_509 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 5s, 3s ]
ralerjak2 folds.
zinnaldo did not respond in time.
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 300

irishbone5 balance 584, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3410, lost 100 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 5918, bet 200, collected 300, net +100
ralerjak2 balance 2089, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7999, didn't bet (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209825783 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:09:40 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 2: irishbone5 (584)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (5918)
Seat 8: ralerjak2 (2089)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7999)
Raven_509 posts small blind (100)
ralerjak2 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 7h, 6h ]
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 calls (100)
ralerjak2 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 5d, Ah, Kd ]
Raven_509 checks.
ralerjak2 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2h ]
Raven_509 bets (200)
ralerjak2 calls (200)
** Dealing River ** : [ 4s ]
Raven_509 bets (300)
ralerjak2 raises (1689) to 1689
ralerjak2 is all-In.
Raven_509 calls (1389)
Creating Main Pot with $4178 with ralerjak2
** Summary **
Main Pot: 4178 |
Board: [ 5d Ah Kd 2h 4s ]

irishbone5 balance 584, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3410, didn't bet (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8007, bet 2089, collected 4178, net +2089 [ 3s 8c ] [ a straight, ace to five -- Ah,5d,4s,3s,2h ]
ralerjak2 balance 0, lost 2089 [ As 4c ] [ two pairs, aces and fours -- As,Ah,Kd,4c,4s ]
zinnaldo balance 7999, didn't bet (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209827908 *****
ralerjak2 finished in fifth place.
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:10:49 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (584)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8007)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7999)
zinnaldo posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 6s, 2h ]
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 calls (200)
zinnaldo checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 4s, 2d, 2c ]
zinnaldo bets (200)
Raven_509 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 600
Board: [ 4s 2d 2c ]

irishbone5 balance 584, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3410, didn't bet (folded)
Raven_509 balance 7807, lost 200 (folded)
zinnaldo balance 8199, bet 400, collected 600, net +200

***** Hand History for Game 5209828564 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:11:11 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (584)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (7807)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
irishbone5 posts small blind (100)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Td, Ts ]
Raven_509 calls (200)
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7c, 9c, 2c ]
GingerWizard1 bets (500)
Raven_509 calls (500)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Jh ]
GingerWizard1 checks.
Raven_509 bets (1500)
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3000
Board: [ 7c 9c 2c Jh ]

irishbone5 balance 484, lost 100 (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 2710, lost 700 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8607, bet 2200, collected 3000, net +800 [ Jc 9s ] [ two pairs, jacks and nines -- Jc,Jh,9s,9c,7c ]
zinnaldo balance 8199, didn't bet (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209831483 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:12:43 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (484)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2710)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8607)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (100)
Raven_509 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 9s, 6d ]
GingerWizard1: had pocket tens
zinnaldo calls (200)
irishbone5 raises (484) to 484
irishbone5 is all-In.
Raven_509: nice
GingerWizard1 folds.
zinnaldo: ill see him
Raven_509 calls (284)
zinnaldo calls (284)
Creating Main Pot with $1552 with irishbone5
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Js, Kd, 2s ]
Raven_509 bets (200)
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 7c ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ Jh ]
Raven_509 bets (200)
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1552 | Side Pot 1: 800
Board: [ Js Kd 2s 7c Jh ]

irishbone5 balance 1552, bet 484, collected 1552, net +1068 [ Ks As ] [ two pairs, kings and jacks -- As,Ks,Kd,Js,Jh ]
GingerWizard1 balance 2610, lost 100 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8523, bet 884, collected 800, lost -84 [ 2d Ac ] [ two pairs, jacks and twos -- Ac,Js,Jh,2d,2s ]
zinnaldo balance 7315, lost 884 [ Ad Qh ] [ a pair of jacks -- Ad,Kd,Qh,Js,Jh ]


***** Hand History for Game 5209832588 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:13:20 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (1552)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2610)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8523)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7315)
Raven_509 posts small blind (100)
zinnaldo posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ As, 5h ]
irishbone5 folds.
Raven_509: nice recovery
GingerWizard1 raises (400) to 400
Raven_509 folds.
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qc, Qs, 9s ]
zinnaldo bets (200)
Raven_509: u must hav the luck o the irish
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1100
Board: [ Qc Qs 9s ]

irishbone5 balance 1552, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 2210, lost 400 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8423, lost 100 (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7815, bet 600, collected 1100, net +500

***** Hand History for Game 5209834154 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:14:11 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (1552)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2210)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8423)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7815)
zinnaldo posts small blind (200)
irishbone5 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 5c, Qh ]
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 folds.
zinnaldo raises (600) to 800
irishbone5 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 8s, 6d, 2d ]
zinnaldo checks.
irishbone5 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 8h ]
zinnaldo checks.
irishbone5 checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ 6h ]
zinnaldo bets (400)
irishbone5 calls (400)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 2400
Board: [ 8s 6d 2d 8h 6h ]

irishbone5 balance 352, lost 1200 [ 4c 4h ] [ two pairs, eights and sixes -- 8s,8h,6d,6h,4c ]

GingerWizard1 balance 2210, didn't bet (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8423, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 9015, bet 1200, collected 2400, net +1200 [ Qc 3c ] [ two pairs, eights and sixes with queen kicker -- Qc,8s,8h,6d,6h ]

***** Hand History for Game 5209835474 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:14:53 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (352)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2210)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8423)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (9015)
irishbone5 posts small blind (200)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 8d, As ]
Raven_509 folds.
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Th, Js, 5d ]
GingerWizard1 bets (400)
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3000
Board: [ Th Js 5d ]

irishbone5 balance 152, lost 200 (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 1010, lost 1200 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8423, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 10415, bet 1600, collected 3000, net +1400

***** Hand History for Game 5209837275 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:15:50 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (152)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (1010)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8423)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (10415)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (200)
Raven_509 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Ah, 9c ]
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 5h, Kc, Qh ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo bets (2008)
Raven_509 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3808
Board: [ 5h Kc Qh ]

irishbone5 balance 152, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 810, lost 200 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 7623, lost 800 (folded)
zinnaldo balance 11415, bet 2808, collected 3808, net +1000

***** Hand History for Game 5209838742 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:16:37 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (152)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (810)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (7623)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (11415)
Raven_509 posts small blind (200)
zinnaldo posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 8h, 5s ]
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 calls (200)
zinnaldo checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Th, 3h, Kd ]
Raven_509 bets (400)
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
Raven_509 calls (400)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 7s ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo bets (825)
Raven_509 calls (825)
** Dealing River ** : [ Ah ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo checks.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 4050
Board: [ Th 3h Kd 7s Ah ]

irishbone5 balance 152, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 810, didn't bet (folded)
Raven_509 balance 5598, lost 2025 [ 5c 6d ] [ high card ace -- Ah,Kd,Th,7s,6d ]
zinnaldo balance 13440, bet 2025, collected 4050, net +2025 [ 3d 9s ] [ a pair of threes -- Ah,Kd,Th,3d,3h ]

***** Hand History for Game 5209840091 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:17:20 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 5 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (152)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (810)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (5598)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (13440)
zinnaldo posts small blind (200)
irishbone5 posts big blind (152)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 3h, 5h ]
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 folds.
Creating Main Pot with $304 with irishbone5
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7c, Th, 9d ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Ts ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 8d ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 304 | Side Pot 1: 48
Board: [ 7c Th 9d Ts 8d ]

irishbone5 balance 152, bet 152, collected 152, net +0 [ 2h Jc ] [ a straight, seven to jack -- Jc,Th,9d,8d,7c ]
GingerWizard1 balance 810, didn't bet (folded)
Raven_509 balance 5598, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 13440, bet 200, collected 200, net +0 [ 4h Jd ] [ a straight, seven to jack -- Jd,Th,9d,8d,7c ]

***** Hand History for Game 5209840687 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:17:39 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (152)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (810)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (5598)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (13440)
irishbone5 posts small blind (152)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 8c, 2c ]
Raven_509 calls (400)
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 is all-In.
GingerWizard1 checks.
Creating Main Pot with $456 with irishbone5
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Jd, 9s, 4c ]
GingerWizard1 checks.
Raven_509 bets (400)
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 8h ]
** Dealing River ** : [ Js ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 456 | Side Pot 1: 896
Board: [ Jd 9s 4c 8h Js ]

irishbone5 balance 0, lost 152 [ 6h 3s ] [ a pair of jacks -- Jd,Js,9s,8h,6h ]
GingerWizard1 balance 410, lost 400 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 6150, bet 800, collected 1352, net +552 [ Ks 5c ] [ a pair of jacks with king kicker -- Ks,Jd,Js,9s,8hKs(kicker card) ]
zinnaldo balance 13440, didn't bet (folded)

***** Hand History for Game 5209841451 *****
irishbone5 finished in fourth place.
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:18:03 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 3
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (6150)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (13440)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (200)
Raven_509 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 5c, Ks ]
zinnaldo: grats.. we are all in the money
zinnaldo folds.
GingerWizard1 raises (210) to 410
GingerWizard1 is all-In.
Raven_509 calls (10)
Creating Main Pot with $820 with GingerWizard1
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 5d, Th, 9h ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qc ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 6c ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 820 |
Board: [ 5d Th 9h Qc 6c ]

GingerWizard1 balance 0, lost 410 [ 5c Ks ] [ a pair of fives -- Ks,Qc,Th,5c,5d ]
Raven_509 balance 6560, bet 410, collected 820, net +410 [ 9c Tc ] [ two pairs, tens and nines -- Qc,Tc,Th,9c,9h ]
zinnaldo balance 13440, didn't bet (folded)

[Da GOAT]

welcome!!!

DOnt know what exactly i should give you advise on first since you are starting from sratch but i think it would be more benficial to read and study more than actually play in the beginning as i have. though boring at first you will reap the rewards and not lose much in short term.

plus get out of PP and onto Pokerstars. games are 5.50 as opposed to 6 and games are a bit slower. this will benefit your bankroll and learning curve

[gingerwizard]

thanks. I have read a lot on the web and feel that i need to practise to up my confidence. I don't see it as a waste of money if i can learn something from each sng i finish fourth or fifth in.

I think i just need advice on what im doing wrong as i can't see it.

[Da GOAT]

thanks. I have read a lot on the web and feel that i need to practise to up my confidence. I don't see it as a waste of money if i can learn something from each sng i finish fourth or fifth in.

I think i just need advice on what im doing wrong as i can't see it.

yeah most ppl think of shying from study first but it works your way 2. i recommend a few books you should get like HoH1+2 but you may be better of on the forums before u buy them. get pokertracker to monitor your games and SNGPT is key once you have the funds to buy it.

[ripjohngotti]

Get Online Ace also.

[taipan168]

Hi and welcome to FTR! It's good to have you here.

I play the $6 sng at pp. Players will call with almost anything. (eg with KK i raised 4xBB pre flop and two people re-raised all in, they both had A4 and lost!) I worry after my raise is called and i don't hit pre flop that someone was stupid enough to call me with Jx and has hit.

What Da GOAT said, play $5 tourneys somewhere where the entry fee is 50c rather than $1.

How do I change gears, keep my lead or better still increase my mid to low stack with 5 left or on the bubble?

It is key to SNG play to play ultra tight aggressive early on, then loose aggressive as the blinds increase. I'll try to go through your hands to see if I can illustrate. Anything I don't comment on is fine IMO.

200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:07:32 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 8 is the button
Total number of players : 5
Seat 2: irishbone5 (684)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2185)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (6843)
Seat 8: ralerjak2 (2089)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
zinnaldo posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Jh, Ah ]
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 raises (400) to 400
Raven_509 calls (400)
ralerjak2 folds.
zinnaldo folds.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Ad, 2h, 7c ]
GingerWizard1 checks.
Raven_509 checks.
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 2c ]
GingerWizard1 bets (200)
Raven_509 calls (200)
** Dealing River ** : [ Qh ]
GingerWizard1 bets (200)
Raven_509 raises (725) to 725
GingerWizard1 calls (525)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 2850
Board: [ Ad 2h 7c 2c Qh ]

irishbone5 balance 684, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 3710, bet 1325, collected 2850, net +1525 [ Jh Ah ] [ two pairs, aces and twos -- Ah,Ad,Qh,2h,2c ]
Raven_509 balance 5518, lost 1325 [ Kh Qs ] [ two pairs, queens and twos -- Ad,Qs,Qh,2h,2c ]
ralerjak2 balance 2089, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7999, lost 200 (folded)

You should be shoving all-in preflop with AJs here. Sure, there is a shortstack but he/she isn't that short and you have a good hand. Don't minraise and let the BB (or other players) see a cheap flop and outflop you. Shove all-in. As played, don't check the flop, you should shove all-in here. Don't minbet the turn or river either. Just don't minbet!

***** Hand History for Game 5209828564 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:11:11 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (584)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (3410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (7807)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
irishbone5 posts small blind (100)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Td, Ts ]
Raven_509 calls (200)
zinnaldo folds.
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 checks.
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 7c, 9c, 2c ]
GingerWizard1 bets (500)
Raven_509 calls (500)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Jh ]
GingerWizard1 checks.
Raven_509 bets (1500)
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3000
Board: [ 7c 9c 2c Jh ]

I know there is a short stack here but I would have raised this to 600 from the BB, you never know, he might fold. If he pushes over you can fold easily and still have 2800 chips left. As played leading the flop is good, as is checking once you're called.

***** Hand History for Game 5209831483 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:12:43 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (484)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2710)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8607)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (8199)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (100)
Raven_509 posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 9s, 6d ]
GingerWizard1: had pocket tens Don't do this, why tell opps this is how you play pocket Ts
zinnaldo calls (200)
irishbone5 raises (484) to 484
irishbone5 is all-In.
Raven_509: nice
GingerWizard1 folds.
zinnaldo: ill see him
Raven_509 calls (284)
zinnaldo calls (284)
Creating Main Pot with $1552 with irishbone5
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Js, Kd, 2s ]
Raven_509 bets (200)
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Dealing Turn ** : [ 7c ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo checks.
** Dealing River ** : [ Jh ]
Raven_509 bets (200)
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1552 | Side Pot 1: 800
Board: [ Js Kd 2s 7c Jh ]

irishbone5 balance 1552, bet 484, collected 1552, net +1068 [ Ks As ] [ two pairs, kings and jacks -- As,Ks,Kd,Js,Jh ]
GingerWizard1 balance 2610, lost 100 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8523, bet 884, collected 800, lost -84 [ 2d Ac ] [ two pairs, jacks and twos -- Ac,Js,Jh,2d,2s ]
zinnaldo balance 7315, lost 884 [ Ad Qh ] [ a pair of jacks -- Ad,Kd,Qh,Js,Jh ]

***** Hand History for Game 5209832588 *****
200/400 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:13:20 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 4 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (1552)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2610)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8523)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (7315)
Raven_509 posts small blind (100)
zinnaldo posts big blind (200)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ As, 5h ]
irishbone5 folds.
Raven_509: nice recovery
GingerWizard1 raises (400) to 400
Raven_509 folds.
zinnaldo calls (200)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Qc, Qs, 9s ]
zinnaldo bets (200)
Raven_509: u must hav the luck o the irish
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 1100
Board: [ Qc Qs 9s ]

irishbone5 balance 1552, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 2210, lost 400 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8423, lost 100 (folded)
zinnaldo balance 7815, bet 600, collected 1100, net +500

Don't minraise preflop. 500 to go. As played, yes I think you need to fold the flop.

***** Hand History for Game 5209835474 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:14:53 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (352)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (2210)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8423)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (9015)
irishbone5 posts small blind (200)
GingerWizard1 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 8d, As ]
Raven_509 folds.
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ Th, Js, 5d ]
GingerWizard1 bets (400)
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
GingerWizard1 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3000
Board: [ Th Js 5d ]

irishbone5 balance 152, lost 200 (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 1010, lost 1200 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 8423, didn't bet (folded)
zinnaldo balance 10415, bet 1600, collected 3000, net +1400

Sorry to be harsh, but calling the minraise for 40% of your stack, betting another 20% of your stack on the flop and folding is terrible. I would either shove or fold this preflop given how short the short stack is. If zinnaldo had been playing loose aggressive I would shove, if he had been playing tight or passive I would fold. Either that or stop 'n' go by shoving all-in on the flop - but I don't think you have much fold equity here. I probably just go with the fold here.

***** Hand History for Game 5209837275 *****
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:15:50 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 2 is the button
Total number of players : 4
Seat 2: irishbone5 (152)
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (1010)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (8423)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (10415)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (200)
Raven_509 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ Ah, 9c ]
zinnaldo raises (800) to 800
irishbone5 folds.
GingerWizard1 folds.
Raven_509 calls (400)
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 5h, Kc, Qh ]
Raven_509 checks.
zinnaldo bets (2008)
Raven_509 folds.
** Summary **
Main Pot: 3808
Board: [ 5h Kc Qh ]

irishbone5 balance 152, didn't bet (folded)
GingerWizard1 balance 810, lost 200 (folded)
Raven_509 balance 7623, lost 800 (folded)
zinnaldo balance 11415, bet 2808, collected 3808, net +1000

Tough spot, the short stack will be AI very soon but you do have a good hand here, zinnaldo has been actively raising, I might consider just shoving all-in.

***** Hand History for Game 5209841451 *****
irishbone5 finished in fourth place.
400/800 Tourney Texas Hold'em Game Table (NL) (Tournament 28971659) - Wed Sep 20 06:18:03 EDT 2006
Table Table 111834 (Real Money) -- Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 3
Seat 4: GingerWizard1 (410)
Seat 5: Raven_509 (6150)
Seat 10: zinnaldo (13440)
GingerWizard1 posts small blind (200)
Raven_509 posts big blind (400)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to GingerWizard1 [ 5c, Ks ]
zinnaldo: grats.. we are all in the money
zinnaldo folds.
GingerWizard1 raises (210) to 410
GingerWizard1 is all-In.
Raven_509 calls (10)
Creating Main Pot with $820 with GingerWizard1
** Dealing Flop ** : [ 5d, Th, 9h ]
** Dealing Turn ** : [ Qc ]
** Dealing River ** : [ 6c ]
** Summary **
Main Pot: 820 |
Board: [ 5d Th 9h Qc 6c ]

GingerWizard1 balance 0, lost 410 [ 5c Ks ] [ a pair of fives -- Ks,Qc,Th,5c,5d ]
Raven_509 balance 6560, bet 410, collected 820, net +410 [ 9c Tc ] [ two pairs, tens and nines -- Qc,Tc,Th,9c,9h ]
zinnaldo balance 13440, didn't bet (folded)

The A8 hand killed any chance of you finishing better than 3rd IMO.

I'm out of time but I'll add some more comments later

[taipan168]

Oh, a couple more things:
- Number the hands you post, makes it much easier to comment
- If you haven't already, read the posts in this sticky, particularly TLR's common beginner pitfalls list and (not trying to blow my own trumpet) the dos and don'ts that Swiggidy and I put together.

[gingerwizard]

Thanks Taipan this is great.

One of the main points you seemed to suggest was MinBetting was a bad idea. Is that because min bets are very callable? You said 500 to go instead of the 400 minraise. Would that really make difference to the way he viewed my hand? Zinnaldo was ultra loose/aggressive. He called everyones bets then took them on the flop. Knowing this should i be looking to push with any semi decent hand? And what sort of hands should i consider to be semi decent here?

I know that the A8 hand put me out of the tournament and i think i was just reluctant to push and get knocked out.

You got my reason for folding A9 spot on. I gambled on the short stack being all in next hand with the BB and losing to get me ITM,

[Da GOAT]

you seemed to suggest was MinBetting was a bad idea.

Such a bad idea


EDIT: actually my post doesnt help you. if you read posts over the next few days you will usually see a hand where someone minbet wehther its hero or villian and you will see the commenting!!

[gingerwizard]

It is key to SNG play to play ultra tight aggressive early on, then loose aggressive as the blinds increase. I'll try to go through your hands to see if I can illustrate. Anything I don't comment on is fine IMO.

Yes I am very good at the early part. That is why i nearly always find myself in the last four or five. I don't seem to know how to play loose/aggressive and that is my (major) problem.

[Dice Man]

I played a similar game to you for the first few months. I think it is common for new SNG players not to realise how important aggression is in the last 3rd of the tourney.

Reading some of the tutorials on here will help you a lot. I remember Ripptyde's guide improved my game/ROI alone (i can't find it on here now)

Having literallay just purchased SNG Power Tools i was amazed that some of my instant folds late in a tourney were actually + EV if i pushed.

Running your hand history's through this software can only help you make more + EV moves and cut out the - EV one's, especially late in the SNG's. This will make you more aggressive on it's own.

I've only had it for 1 day, but i've been surprised & impressed by it's analysis.

[Balthine]

Out of interest I know it pays to be ultra tight in the early stages of an S'n'G but does that also apply to 5 or 6playersS'n'G's? I often find myself finishing 2nd or 3rd because I am so short stacked by the time the bubble comes along (where I have played tight).

[The Izebox]

1. Stop min raising.
2. Whenever you have around ten big blinds left in your stack you need to either push all in or fold. No limping, min raising, or calling. All in or fold with no exceptions.
3. With 5 people left you should open your preflop raising range up (position dependent)
-from UTG i raise 3bbs with fives and better, a10offsuit +, kqos+, ace 8 suited +. If i had a big stack i might loosen up even more. You gotta rememebr that at this point everyon is trying to make the money, so its a great opportunity to try to steal some blinds.

-as you are closer to the button loosen up your range, i often raise the blinds (if folded around) with any face cards, suited connecter, or pocket pair.

-in the blinds your looking to shove all in against the big blind (assuming stack sizes and blinds size is agreeable) or small blind with any ace, any pair, any face cards.

My point is try to give yourself a reason to steal blinds, be smart about it (dont try to steal with king four after you raised 3 of the last four hands) and youll have a lot of success.

Try reading some of the posts on six max ring game play, part of the reason that im relatively succesful at sngs is that i started in sixmax ring games, which is awesome for teaching aggression, both giving it out and dealing with it.

[taipan168]

Sorry, I realised I never replied to your questions:

One of the main points you seemed to suggest was MinBetting was a bad idea. Is that because min bets are very callable? You said 500 to go instead of the 400 minraise. Would that really make difference to the way he viewed my hand? Zinnaldo was ultra loose/aggressive. He called everyones bets then took them on the flop. Knowing this should i be looking to push with any semi decent hand? And what sort of hands should i consider to be semi decent here?

Yes, minbetting achieves nothing. Say you have a strong hand, you want to get more money in the pot. Bet more, at low buyins people will call you if they have a hand that they like (but you probably beat). Say you raised preflop, got called by one opp, missed the flop and would now like opp to fold. A minbet is unlikely to get opp to fold, bet more.

If your read is that opp is ultra loose aggressive, be prepared to push over with more hands. The presence of the super short stack changes things a bit but under normal circumstances, with your stack at 5x BB and 2x BB I would be happy to push with the A8 and A9 hands against such an opp.

I know that the A8 hand put me out of the tournament and i think i was just reluctant to push and get knocked out.

You got my reason for folding A9 spot on. I gambled on the short stack being all in next hand with the BB and losing to get me ITM

Yeah, this is a tough spot. Zinnaldo is playing big stack poker well by playing loose aggressive on the bubble with the short stack. That said, you are super short with 2.5x BB too, I would probably have just gambled it up here. As somebody said, you have to be prepared to die in order to live...

BTW great post izybx.