Variance in SNG's

[Aequitas58]

It depends.

General Idea
Like TP said, 100 is a good place to start. I would be cautious with anything below, because you never know which way variance is swinging. When you get to 100, you will be able to gauge your ITM (in the money) rate and your ROI (return on investment).

Obviously, the more expensive the SNG buy-in, the more likely you're playing against better players. As a result, your "stats" or numbers for 100 $10/1's should be better than 100 $30/3's. On the flip side, because $30/3's pay out nicer, you can still make MORE money even if you have a smaller ITM rate. Get it?

Keeping Records
It's extremely important that you keep accurate records if you take SNG's seriously. The math is not hard, but it's important. Most "extreme" SNG-ers spreadsheet everything, and I agree that it's a good idea. You want to document things like the buy in amount, the place you finished, any money won, how many players, etc etc. The better your records the more "on point" your stats will be. Be SURE to separate the buy-in amount. This is critical.

Calculating the Numbers
As I said, the math is easy, but it's important:
ROI: Profit / Total Buy-In's
Example: You've played 10 $10/1's.
You've placed 1st three times(!) but have busted out 7 times. You winnings are $150, but your total buy-ins are $110. Therefore your profit is $40. So, your ROI is $40/$110 = .3636, or, 36%.
ITM: Times In The Money / Total Played
Example: In the above example, you have an ITM rate of 30%.

Good ITM / ROI #'s
I've heard that good ROI's are near 30%. I personally think that number is very good, but who knows. If your ITM is around 40% you are doing well.

Hope this helps. I'd say your stats are solid when you approach 200 - 300 SnGs at each level.

GL.

[Talking Poker]

Nice post Aeq.

I used to play SNGs almost exclusively, but then completely abandoned them for cash games for some reason... not sure why either, cause I did pretty well with them. Maybe I should give them another whirl one of these days... a "quick" 50 SNG sample or so.

[Windbreaker]

Everytime there's a Poker Stars reload, I clear the bonuses strictly through SNG's. I find it a nice change of pace from the regular grind at the ring games. It takes A LOT longer to clear these bonuses this way though. I basically have to play 120 10+1. I don't mind it since I have a high ITM/ROI on my return.

But I don't ever keep records of how much I've bought in for and how many times I cash. I just know, I know how much I'm up in total.

I find that that multi table SNG's to be more advantageous for me to play as well. It takes a lot longer to finish these tourneys...but it pays quite nicely compared to the single table SNG's.

As for this last reload - I've played about 90 10+1 and am pretty sure I have a ROI over 50% on the two table SNG's.

[Aequitas58]

That's "sickly" good. Keep playing them.

[nflchad]

My goal throughout the next week or so is to get in 100-200 20+2's on Party.
I hope to achieve a 35% ITM and an ROI of 25%. I plan on playing 3-4 staggered tables at a time.
I have a few questions before I start:

1. Is Empire poker (I have RB) the best place to get this done?

2. Assuming I do play these on Empire how long can I expect each SNG to last?

3. Is 3-4 tabling a legitimate possible number of tables (I can 4 table 6-max L and NL so I think I'll be okay here)?

[eejit101]

Im doing it now but on prima, their choice is just soo big. Im playing 100 $20 5strs. last time i did this i had an ITM of 50% and an ROI of somewhere near 47%ish.

[Talking Poker]

I hope you guys keep detailed records. I'll be very interested to see the results.

[MAYHEM45]

nflchad, I used to four table the 20 + 2s on eurobet (party skin where i have rakeback). So If you have rakeback at empire I say go for it. If you can 4 table 6max, you are already a multitabling champion and will have no problem. I usually do 4 at once, wait till the last one finishes, then take a 20 minutes break or so, fire up four more, rinse and repeat. I find that the 20+2's since they still have only 800 chips to start, typically take about 40 minutes each, if not shorter.
Good luck man!

[SirFWALGMan]

My ROI is 75%, is that good? Too small of a sample size.. 29 games. I truncated my data starting at beginning of September. I have a 44% ITM score and I feel I have been slumping in SNGs in September.. am I insane, and should I be happpy?