Getting Back Into the Game

[MikeCH06]

I don't know if any of you remember me. I used to post in the SNG forum fairly often up until about a year ago. Anyway, I posted this at 2plus2 also (hope that's not a cardinal sin here), and thought I'd do the same here.

Alright so I've been away from poker for a while and I've decided that I'd like to get back into it.

I played online for a few years, mainly SNGs, up until last year at this time when I decided to concentrate more on school. I made a few thousand dollars and I really love the game so I have quite an itch to play again. I've played some home games, so I think my game is still sharp, but just not as sharp as it was when I quit.

Like I said, I used to play SNGs mainly but I'd like to play more MTTs. Whenever I had the time to play them, I seemed to have a better ROI. Plus, I enjoy the MTTs more anyway.

So, my question is, where should I get started and how much do I need? I was thinking about starting back with the $4+.40 180-person SNGs on Poker Stars and playing the occassional $5+.50 MTT or SNG. I'd like to start with a $200-250 bankroll, though, and I know that would only put me around 50 $4+.40 buy-ins. Would that suffice?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[AApoker]

Normally I am a big fan of following the 100 buy ins or more for an MTT, however I think with the 4.40's you can probably make an exception. It sounds like your skills are sufficient to crush the 4.40's so 50 buy ins should suffice.

[Fjaman]

you can go on brutal downswings in MTTs, have that in mind. The best MTT specialists doesnt have ITM of more than 15-20% and even if you cash the only real money comes from final table finnish of 6th or higher, from 10$ buy ins and up there is a pretty high skill level on pstars so keep good money management

[AApoker]

Fjanman, while I agree with you that you do need to manage your money carefully and the bulk of the money comes from top 3 finishes I don't agree that $10 and up players are good. I have played at stars a lot at tournaments between $10-$50 and the first place you see a semblance of reasonable play is at the $50 level. Players are terrible in the $10 MTT's terrible in $20 180-mans. Play actually seems reasonable at the $75's on full tilt and some of the 100's, but even there you will find your share of donks.

[MikeCH06]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

AA, I agree with you that the $11 games were still full of fish and donks when I was still playing. I could tell a difference once I got to the $33 level, but there were still a handful of bad players there.