Please help me with my SNG play

[Crown Clown]

Would appreciate some guidance on this... I'm a semi-regular at Crown's SNGs. I find myself consistently getting into the top 3 or 4 but then I tend to struggle more often than not by blowing substantial chip leads and not defending my blinds when raised because i believe i have an inferior hand. I know this question is quite broad and general but would really like to hear some thoughts on how to improve my play in these situations and the sort of hands i should be getting involved in when there are only 3 or 4 players left. Want to improve my winning strike rate rather than just being content with finishing in the money.

[phil markey]

an impossibly broad questionif you want to finish first a lot play more aggressively around the bubble - if the blinds are something like 4% or more of the chips on the table then the only big mistake you can make is folding too much

[yoyo]

Try playing any pairs very aggressively around that area - raise and reraise all-in with them - if you get called, you are likely racing and you can get folds off people you catch bluffing.

[Blu3B3ar]

Steal steal steal at the bubble. Play an aggressive raise/fold game. It's impossible to list of the list of hands to steal with as it depends on the nature of the other players but I'm seriously considering raise/re-raising with any hands with showdown value and other junk too.

[Punty]

Get your hands on the second volume of Harrington On Holdem. Im not saying I worship the book (I think its just ok) but it can cover many questions that we cannot here.

[Punty]

Its a book for tourneys, particularily the later stages.

[Crown Clown]

Thanks guys will try and up the aggression a bit. Funny cos I have no trouble in being aggressive in the early stages of a SNG which is what gets me into these positions in the first place, but I just seem to tighten right up when around the bubble. Any more opinions are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

[kom]

Crown Clown,What is the structure of the SNG's you are playing?Starting Chips-Blind Levels/Time-Payouts-

[Crown Clown]

10 minute levels. Starting blinds 25/50. Starting stack of $1500 in chips.Usually play the $75 buy in. Breakdown is $300 for 1st, $200 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd.

[Alan914]

I can finialy say about my disgust at these retarded sit and go's at Crown 10 minute levels I tried one 2 weaks ago dealer chating away taking up time I was in seat 8 by the time the big blind gets to me its time to go up so therefore after 32 hands approx blinds are up to 200-400 and you only start with 1500 in chips its ok if you can get some hands early and double up anyway never again its just dumb expecialy if you want to improve.Alan.