I wouldn't really call this a problem, but it's something that bothers me, and I know that there may be math involved that some of you could help me out with.

I seem to be getting a lot of 2nd places in 6 max $10 +$1 SnGs. I've heard of the "playing for second place" or "playing to make the money," and I feel this may be a problem. I understand that you should always play for first with the payout structure as extremely top heavy (75% prize pool for 1st, 25% for second), but are there ever instances where you should just take the certain money? It seems to go along with the saying of "better to win a small pot than lose a big one."

For example, I frequently find myself above average in chip standing going into the final three, but I start to get really passive when someone is about to bust out. This involves me not taking chances pre-flop with a hand like 9 9 against the chip leader when the third guy will get blinded out within the next few hands. Is this wrong?

Another thing that I have noticed regarding the results of my SnG play is that I rarely bust out early. Maybe this means I'm not taking enough chances or being aggressive enough from the get go.

Tournament play is something that is fairly new to me, as I prefer the cash games. Any advice about things I might be doing wrong or things that I should be aware of is greatly appreciated.

Also-

I multitable for the cash games. Can this be done effectively for SnG's as well? I know the reads drop as you open up more tables but would it matter so much in a $10 + $1?

Would any of you recommend playing the 10 max tables instead? Those feature a more balanced payout, but you make almost just as much for 1st there as you do for a 6 max.

You answered your own question, is that you are playing to place... and get 150% return... not bad, if playing a cash game, and you double through you would feel pretty good right?

I would give yourself a chance to win, and play solid hands (99) aggressively, and maybe you get the short stack all in... It will depend on the style of both the other players... jackals... you can sit back and know they will battle, solid players... get in and mix it up... short handed tables, the players should notice you are tight... and respect your raise, or they will push back at you....and think you are a weak player... I always try to go by Raymers theory, "Put your money in when you are ahead" and the cards will fall as they may"

IF you are even chip stack when you get to heads up... you need to get aggressive, and really mix it up... raise, raise, raise, call, fold, call, all in change gears.. cause if you still thinking about calling or raising with 99 heads up... you will get walked on

Daniel did a nice part on "NAtional Poker conference 2004", on how the style changes at final tables... see if you can watch that

I play 10 player tables and have the attitude that "9th is better that 4th" because you get the same thing without spending 45-60 minutes. I play weak/tight when there are 4 player left if I'm the 2nd or 3rd stack. Once we're down to 3 I open it up big time and steal pots. I also believe that you should have more 1st and 3rds than 2nd.

The way I multi table SNG's is to start the second one about half way through the 3rd. level or when there are 5 players left. this allows you to focus on winning since you'll be playing tight and mostly folding at the beginning of the second one. I also dropped down in stakes whjen I started multi tableing to get the fel ofr it.

I find my success in making the money much higher in 9 player SnGs than 6 player..more than enough to overcome the lower prize distribution when you get to the money.

6 player tourneys are much shorter and there is less time for a skill advantage to overcome the cards.