TLB Leader Points and SnGs

This is more a minor 'rant' than anything else, so be forewarned.

Like a lot of PokerStar players, I am an avid fan and active participant in the SnGs (Sit & Go's) tournament format. In particular, I really like the recently introduced 6-handed $12.00 and $35.00 buy-ins. I like them because they tend to proceed relatively fast and the pay-out of the top two positions is fairly generous, considering the buy-in.

So, what's my beef? Glad you asked!

Even though SnGs are considered to be tournaments and there are hundreds of them going on at anytime, they don't earn a player any points towards the TLB (Tournament Leader Board). On the surface, one might read this and say something to the effect "So? What's the big deal?" Well, in the big scheme of things, I guess it's not really a big deal. However, I firmly believe my 'gripe' has some merit and if you've read this far, please peruse my points below and let me know what you think.

First, let's explore the bare basics. You spend your $$$ to buy-in to a multi-table tournament hosting 100+ players and then, if your skill level & luck hold out, you leave 3+ hours later 'in-the-money'. You then open your e-mail to see that PokerStars sends you congratulations, the amount of $$$ that has been credited to your real-money account AND the number of points attributed to your win and effectively placing you on the TLB.

Okay, what's the difference in the above scenario and an SnG? Aside from the total number of players and the time played....nothing. Why don't the SnGs carry any weight as far as the TLB goes? Well, I don't know. Granted, any points earned from winning an SnG would be miniscule at best....but doesn't that beat 0 (zero) points?!?

Finally, I have never been accused of being a pro poker player (idiot...yes). By that I mean my primary income is not derived from poker (I'd starve to death). I still work 40+ hours a week and frankly, I enjoy the luxury of sitting in one of the 'bigger tourney's' only once or twice a month. Based on this fact, I know that under the current system, my name will never stand a chance of being listed on the TLB (alright, combined with my lack of skill) or enjoy any of the priveleges that go with being the weekly TLB leader (bring on Tom McEvoy!). ;D

That's my gripe. The great little SnGs aren't considered worthy of earning any TLB points. While this rant may not achieve that desired goal, I do feel better for having said it.

you have brought up a point that a lot of people dont like about most TLB leader boards....but its like this on most sites. Why they do this is because its much tougher to land in the top 15% of the entrants on a big tourney than a sit and go... they r trying to make pokerstars the BIGGEST site for tourneys on the net...not like they have not already achieved this. I personally like the TLB system on pokerstars...i dont play very many tourneys above $10-$20 I play almost all the low limit tourneys....why because all its going to take is one good finish in a $3 tourney for a payout of over $1000 good way to start a bank roll. I feel like yes u have to play the big buy in tourneys to get the TLB points......look at it this way I won a free rolll with 7844 people in it yes thats right 1st.... I got 300 and something TLB points for that. if it was any other buyin tourney i would have been walking with a lot more. any way I am ranked about 1300 on TLB and I dont plan on being on the top 150 board anytime soon. u have to spend a lot and do really well to be a top that board..... JUST REMEMBER THIS Pokerstars holds a freeroll in Feb for the top 3000 TLB players so just stay in that range. Last year it was WSOP package for 1st and they paid out a ton of places.

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The "free" card is the greatest thing in the game of No Limit.

Hey smoke, can you tell me what your got from those 6 hours you spent in the freeroll? LOL, man you should stay around PS, don't leave me, who am I gonna mooch a buck from? Juan??? He never answers me...btw I'm still out of $ smoke, so hurry up and win that $1000 so I can play again, and now I can't even talk since my chat was revoked and PS staff is a bunch of BS

I think that poker stars SHOULD use the formula to add SNG'S to TLB points. It is a simple forumla and it reflects the number of players in a tourney against the buyin. I am going to write to Lee Jones and find out what their logic is on that. Hopefully I will have a post to explain soon.

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Just good enough to think I am good enough.

Here is their answer:

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Just good enough to think I am good enough.

Well, I do appreciate the feedback, especially the effort by this forum's admin to write to PokerStars for an answer. I believe that smokin' had some excellent points but still retain my position after considering each.

For instance, in the reply that PS sent to ace10, I would certainly agree that their current formula could not effectively factor in SnGs. However, in his query to them, ace10 suggested perhaps a newer, updated (my wording) formula that would include the SnGs. They never mentioned or addressed looking at a new way of doing things. Watch in the near future what Mike Sexton at PartyPoker does. Then, our tables of choice (aka PokerStars) will be scrambling to keep up.

Overall, the consensus appears that from a standpoint of fairness in order that deserving players make the TLB, things will, for the time being, remain the same. Not including myself among this throng, I suspect there are a number of deserving players who are forced, for any number of reasons, to limit their tourney play to SnGs.

That's one man's viewpoint. To all who responded and to those who may yet respond.....

Thank You!

and my month chat revoking has started...I can see why they wouldn't let sitngos count towards TLB, I actually agree with PS on this one, although I think PS should include Private Tournaments to have TLB Points, because sometimes you will get 50+ people in there, not just 9/18, now my reason on sideing with PS on the sitngos is because It's a LOT harder to win or do good in a BIG tournament then it is in a sitngo, and if they only count 7 of your tournaments, then you could easily have 7 sitngo wins, just my thoughts

I completely agree that SnG's should be included in tournament points. However, the points system should be similar to multi table tournaments in that only the top 15% count. That way, only the winner in a 9 man SnG would score and the top 2 in a 2 table SnG would score. It seems like a fair way to compensate players. I personally feel that SnG's are a much more time effective way to play poker than multi table tourneys.

I stronlgy aggree with you. I dont play many multi- table tourneys and primarily foucs on the sitngos. I like to play usually 3 or 4 at the same time and usually play in around 20 of them on any given day. This gives me no chance in getting any tlb points. Its likely though that this will not change and the tlb points will remain the same as they are now. Oh well, can't play Tom McEvoy.