Just wanted to share the news.....

[MaseMoney 0]

The people on this site I consider mentors, because of the great advice and guidance given to me. The emailed responses and pm's were invaluable to me.So I decided to take the plunge, and as advised by some, I registered on Pacific for some sng's. 5 hands. It was great fun!I didn't place in the money the first three. I placed 3rd in the next two. Finally, I won the last!I'm now ahead in the money overall. (Because of the 1st place finish)Question...Can you please briefly explain the best way to "bully" the table when you're way up in chips? How can I steal those blinds?What I did was put my opponents 1/2 or all in pre flop and before the turn.I was struggling with wondering what they had (especially when it got down to one other player) and if my hand was strong enough to stand a call and go for a race. I didn't want to double him up, but I also wanted to keep his butt in "help me lord!" mode.I'm new and still learning of course. I also got the Hilger book on the way to me.Anyways, thank you all for your help. You guys make this site the best on the internet.Mase

[tekn0wledg 0]

I'm not a big SnG player, so take my advice with a grain of salt.What I tend to do when I'm on the large stack in SnGs is not necessarily raise them all-in or half all-in, but I like to raise them enough to actually get a call. If you raise them nearly all-in then you are going to commit a larger portion of your own bankroll and thus risk giving up the chip lead yourself.However, mix it up. Raise some as you explained and raise some others less.... this will make them think they have a chance and when you flop a good hand you can stick it to em, or if it's really a monster, trap them and extract even more chips.

[murphyz 0]

Agreed.The most important thing to do is keep your chip lead...and sometimes this means that you should lay down anything that you would in a normal situation. If on the Button/SB and everyone has folded to me pre-flop, I would tend to raise the BB x3 - even if I have nothing. Many times this will take the pot. If the short stackers have something to play with, you see the flop and then decide. If they show weakness, bet again...there's still plenty of outs for you. If you do hit something with your hole cards, grind them down. As people get more and more short stacked they tend to play only the premium hands, until they are at a stage where they are so low they go all in with low pairs and suited connectors. At these times your hands are more likely to stand up. The last thing you want is for you to put them all-in at the time when they have AA, simply because you're trying to steal a few chips that aren't actually worth the risk due to the amount you have to bet.Protect the lead and play the right cards when they come - that's more than likely how you got to be chip leader, and that's more than likely how you'll take it down.You see so many people heads-up and the chip leader throws away the lead by going 'all-in' everytime they have a single A or K - simply because they want the game over and feel that the opposition is no threat. As long as they have a chip on the table, they are a threat, and as long as you give them easy chances to double-up - the chip lead won't last for long.Mxx

[The Sheriff JBJ 0]

I agree with the above.At my poker room I practice heads up. Of course you both start with an even stack.My own advice would be to keep your opponents guessing. 1/2 or all in is one way. But you are risking your own stack more by doing that.Its fair to say that at some point if you keep going all-in one or both of the shortstacks will try and double up. Say you had 10k and the other 2 had 2k. Why not just play a nice steady game and see if one takes the other out of the game. You go up a place in the money and still have the far better stack.Of course it depends on the blinds. Also if you have something worth playing its a bonus.When it gets to heads up. Be bold but not stupid. Mix it with raises of various values and the odd slow play. But remember your opponent may look to be doubling up. If you keep going all in you will get called. Just make sure you have something you feel will win that coin flip!Disclaimer: Please feel free to pick holes in that people. Its just my own theory and dont claim to be be brilliant..... Unless Iwin the Negreanu Open tonight! :wink:

[milladathrilla33 0]

Whats a SNG?

[Waffles2003 1]

Sit and Go

[MaseMoney 0]

... rules!Please keep your "jewels dropping". I'm picking them all up and putting them in the vault.You guys are the best!Mase

[Spidurman 0]

The best time to attack someone is when they show weakness. Doesn't matter what street.Also you need to read each opponent's views on chip preservation - are they trying to hang on and cash (but not advance beyond lowest $$ payout) - or are they gonna put up a fight and try to win at the risk of busting out.

[MaseMoney 0]

What would be the "signs" of these mindsets? The "internet player tells" if you would.....

[Spidurman 0]

What would be the "signs" of these mindsets?  The "internet player tells" if you would.....

Betting patterns (as an aside - I'm more than willing to point any person in what I consider the right direction, but I am loathe to discuss specifics).A player trying to sneak into the money is tight/passive. A player trying to move up is aggressive.

[hoof31 0]

You have to mix it up in this situation if you go allin each time your opponenment is going to think you are jsut trying to steal and sooner or later you will get caught. With the chip you can afford to call sometimes and steal after to flop. I used to fold way to often in this position trying to protect my lead, but as long as you are taking flops you should be fine. I find that limit SNG's are much easier to play heads up.