What % of tournaments should you reach money?

[Mystical1384]

I play quite a bit of small buy-in tournaments ($1) and reach probably 30% of the time and I've been considering moving up to higher buy-ins. I was curious as to what percentage of tournaments I should be able to reach the money consistently so I can judge my performance. I tried two higher buy-ins and missed by 80 in a 550 field and then missed by 16 in about the same size and I didn't know if I'm just throwing money away.

[drmcboy]

30 percent is probably too high.

play tourneys that you have around 100 buy ins for.

[Mystical1384]

That would be $1 tournaments But only because I finished good in one so I'll continue to build my bankroll up to play in higher ones. Thanks.

[scarface737]

build ur roll and experiment. do u hit tourneys big or just go out right after the money?

[Mystical1384]

I'd say out of the last 15 tournaments, and the 30% or so when I hit the money, I've made it halfway through the money and finished 2nd once. I usually try not to just-get-money unless I'm just really not getting cards. After all, it's mostly just $1 tournaments so I'm not out much if I don't. It cost me last night 5 out of the money and I went all-in after flopping two pair and opponent caught the river two-pair to beat me.

[JeffreyGB]

Getting bad beat on the bubble is neither evidence of bad play nor something that you should expect to see rarely.

I'd expect your ITM would be higher in $1 tournaments than $3/$5/+ tournaments. My experience watching my fiance play shows the $1 games to be a lot like a free roll in that respect. Once you cash big a few more times and can afford to move up, you'll likely see something more like 20%, assuming you're playing to win and not just to cash (definitely the way to do it).

[Mystical1384]

Alright, I appreciate all the advice.