Joined: Oct '11
Location: Sweden
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1410
Hi!
I've been just massacred at the DoN tables. I do believe it's due to suffering a small downswing at the moment since most of the times I'm all-in, I'm at least a 70% favorite. I've lost quite a few Buy-Ins due to this and I'm starting to wonder if it may not be only bad luck and in fact be me that's playing these games wrong.
I play $0,50, 10 player tables, top 5 is paid $0,90. I've calculated that I need a winning percentage of 56% in order for this to be profitable. I therefor play 3 tables at a time figuring that if I finish in the top 5 in 2 of them, I'm in the clear.
I do believe that I have what it takes to crush these tables but for some reason it just isn't working out for me right now. So I just want to hear what you guys have to say about how to approach these games to improve your odds of winning?
There was another thread on DoN SnG's Check it out it has a lot of good advice.
The best advice I have is that you have to balance aggression with Stack management, especially near the bubble.
Until you have get the problem sorted you may want to start playing one game at a time. That way you are more likely to catch any problems that you may have.
Posted by Mysik86: I read that the best strategies for SnG DoN is very tight play at beginning, and more loose at the end...
And, like Zen wrote, if you experience downswing, play one table at time - so you can focus on your mistake more precisely.
I wouldn't get to aggressive at the bubble as the main goal is to finish in the money. On the bubble, It's usually correct to fold when two other players are raising and re-raising even if you have Aces or Kings. Since even if the larger stack loses they will likely be crippled and soon lose the rest of their stack to an all-in gamble or by being blinded out.
Joined: Jan '11
Location: United States
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 3361
I play SnG's for the most part and I abide by a thread that Islandjack posted in here quite sometime ago. It's got great advice and has increased my win rate or making the pay by 75%.
I rarely play a hand until the blinds get up to at least 50/100 unless I have a monster AA, KK or AK. I rarely go allin preflop until tI make the money.
I play one game at a time a lot when I'm on the down swing. This allows me to figure out my opponents and get better reads.
I also play .60 to 5.50, 9 player SnG's where top 3 get paid. I make the money 75% of the time if not more. I do have my bad streaks, but it's the cards that fall that determine one's fate.
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
best strategy if u want to beat dons in the long run is to invest in a chinese sweatshop or form a gang yourself & collude at the tables (preferably anonymous tables since they make harder to bust you all), some people claim they have bots that beat dons in the long run- doubt if that's the case, but you can have a go, who know maybe they'll make u the next millionaire
Joined: Oct '11
Location: Sweden
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1410
I've actually hit a turning point now. I didn't really make any adjustments to my game so I kinda figure I was just a victim for some bad luck. Although I might have gotten better at these games after playing a number of them.
I've got a decent winning streak going for me at the moment. The last 3 days I've only played 9 games, 3 each day, and I've managed to win all 9 of them. So current count is 9 in a row
Joined: Nov '11
Location: Poland
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 1088
Nice! And the great rule is: if your play give you winnings and profit - don't look at other people, and play your strategy. Because profitable strategy is the best strategy
Posted by Mysik86: Nice! And the great rule is: if your play give you winnings and profit - don't look at other people, and play your strategy. Because profitable strategy is the best strategy
That's a truly long and convoluted way of saying if it ain't broke don't fix it.
however, it's always worthwhile to be considering the state of your play since it's extremely easy to develop holes in your game and unless your looking for them they will do extreme damage to your bankroll in a remarkably short time.
Joined: Jun '10
Location: Belgium
Age: 57 (M)
Posts: 178
How many DON's have you played yet ? You must have played at least hundred games to analyse your winrate. You can be lucky for 9 games in a row but you can also be unlucky for 18 games in a row.
So don't look at your winrate in a short time but in the long run.
I always play very tight in the beginning. Raising w QQ+ and AK. Only limping in with Suited Aces, suited connectors, pocket pairs if I get a very good price.
After a while i will mark the Fish & the more descent players. The more descent players will not call your pushes at the bubble, unless they have a very good hand.
Joined: Jun '10
Location: Belgium
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 1457
Posted by SuperpokefA: How many DON's have you played yet ? You must have played at least hundred games to analyse your winrate. You can be lucky for 9 games in a row but you can also be unlucky for 18 games in a row.
So don't look at your winrate in a short time but in the long run.
I always play very tight in the beginning. Raising w QQ+ and AK. Only limping in with Suited Aces, suited connectors, pocket pairs if I get a very good price.
After a while i will mark the Fish & the more descent players. The more descent players will not call your pushes at the bubble, unless they have a very good hand.
Indead thats the strategy to use, but I only play monster hands in the beginning (decent raise preflop and no allin) just observe the others and I fold suited connectors and Axs.
As long as your not on the last 2 places, just play monster hands and let others do the work.
Mostlly the bigstacks play to many hands and will do the work... If you are in the last 2 positions you need to try to push.
Just play as less hands as needed --> top 5 is your goal (= ITM)
I started with 10 $ and climbed up to 30 $ just by playinf SNG DoN 0.5$
Joined: Oct '11
Location: Sweden
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1410
Posted by SuperpokefA: How many DON's have you played yet ? You must have played at least hundred games to analyse your winrate. You can be lucky for 9 games in a row but you can also be unlucky for 18 games in a row.
So don't look at your winrate in a short time but in the long run.
I've played in total just over 300 games.
The winning streak ended at 11 in a row. Of course I know that some of those probably was a bit lucky so I don't rely on it, just a fun fact I guess
thefly131: I guess you're playing at party? What's your nick so I know to stay away from you
Posted by Mysik86: Yes, but "considering state of play" and "find holes in your game" don't equal to "stop, and change your play style"
That would depend on the situation. Games evolve, players mast evolve with the game or they will stop being winning players. Sometimes it's best to take a step back and re-evaluate and if something needs fixing, then fix it. If nothing else it gives the player a breather and keeps them from going on tilt.
Joined: Jun '10
Location: Belgium
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 1457
Posted by erru9107:
Posted by SuperpokefA: How many DON's have you played yet ? You must have played at least hundred games to analyse your winrate. You can be lucky for 9 games in a row but you can also be unlucky for 18 games in a row.
So don't look at your winrate in a short time but in the long run.
I've played in total just over 300 games.
The winning streak ended at 11 in a row. Of course I know that some of those probably was a bit lucky so I don't rely on it, just a fun fact I guess
thefly131: I guess you're playing at party? What's your nick so I know to stay away from you
Well my nick at PP is the same thefly131
What s your's erru?? Always nice to have some BRM at the same table.
Have to say , I am also playing fast forward at the lowest level, whisch is also profitable for me at the moment. Just to bad I have not so much time to play poker regurlarly....
Joined: Oct '11
Location: Sweden
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 1410
Posted by thefly131:
Posted by erru9107:
Posted by SuperpokefA: How many DON's have you played yet ? You must have played at least hundred games to analyse your winrate. You can be lucky for 9 games in a row but you can also be unlucky for 18 games in a row.
So don't look at your winrate in a short time but in the long run.
I've played in total just over 300 games.
The winning streak ended at 11 in a row. Of course I know that some of those probably was a bit lucky so I don't rely on it, just a fun fact I guess
thefly131: I guess you're playing at party? What's your nick so I know to stay away from you
Well my nick at PP is the same thefly131
What s your's erru?? Always nice to have some BRM at the same table.
Have to say , I am also playing fast forward at the lowest level, whisch is also profitable for me at the moment. Just to bad I have not so much time to play poker regurlarly....
The same as on here, erru9107
Regular CG is profitable for me but for some reason, fast forward isn't. My guess is because I like to be able to read the other players at my table.
Joined: Jun '10
Location: Belgium
Age: 51 (M)
Posts: 1457
Well on fast forward it s profitable when you make some notes -->
size of raise preflop from what position with what cards
what cards do they have when they 3-bet how do they act when they face a 3-bet
Look the stats of your opponent if you thinking about 3-betting Use your position If you have a strong hand after flop/turn/river and you r facing a aggressive player --> go allin they think you are bluffing and call often....
WIth fast forward I start with 2$ at the lowest level and if I win 0.25$ I leave the table and start again with 2$. Always click sit next blind By doing that I put away my winnings at a save place (my account) and riks maximum 2$ when I go allin.
Well hope to see you soon at PP erru.... just be careful .... I like aggressive players in DoN and looking at the hands you already posted you play them more aggressive than me...
Don Sng's aren't for everyone but for tight aggressive players they can be quite profitable. True you never make any huge wins, but the variance is much smaller than regular tournaments and they are generally over quickly so you can play them more often.
