I know how essential it is as a poker player to consider the stakes you play carefully, and it is most important in sit and go’s. If you’re not careful in finding the appropriate limits, it could keep you from making money and cut into your profit margins. Luckily I’ve done my research and can share some ways to find the proper stakes for sit and go tournaments.
Expected Winnings
Depending on how confident you are with your SNG abilities, you might be able to move up a limit. If you’re expecting to cash in almost every single sit and go you play, feel free to move up in a limit. If you’re expecting to only place in the money in 2 out of every 10 sit and go’s, then you’re probably playing too high of a limit for your abilities. I always try to aim for my expected winnings to be cashing in 4 out of every 10 sit and go’s played.
Expected Payouts
When you’re considering the outcome of winnings, keep in mind you need to determine what your average payout will be. Say you are ranking in the top three in 40% of the $5 + $0.50 sit and go’s you play; you could probably expect to win between $60 and $70 for every 10 sit and go’s you play. You would comfortably be beating the stakes you’re playing since the total cost of the SNG’s would be $55. Before you move up a limit, be sure that your profit is capping the amount of money you’re paying in buy-ins.
Expected Bankroll Growth
It is hard telling when your next payout is going to come since tournaments tend to have irregular outcomes. I’ve found out that your average comes from a range of tourneys. For instance, a player who cashes in 40% or more of their sit and go’s can go for about 10 tournaments without cashing. This is the reason why your bankroll needs to be large enough for 50 or greater buy-ins at the limit you are playing. For the player in the $5 + $0.50 limit, your bankroll should be about $225 at the least.
