Started playing SnGs a month ago, and have learned a lot from this site. After I started using PT, I have played 45 SnGs at Party and Pokerstars, mostly 5 dollar buyins. My first check up:

ITM: 53%
ROI:40%

1. : 5 times (11%)
2. : 8 (18%)
3. : 11 (25%)
4. : 4 (9%)

I know 45 is a very small sample size, but will love to hear from the more experienced posters here if there are anything at all to say based on such a small sample. (Or should i come back when i have done 450?)

I think these numbers look good so far. I'm not sure what causes your 3rd places finishes to be much different than your firsts. It could be inexperience in shorthanded game, playing tight to get to the money that you are too shortstacked once you get there (I'm in that situation a lot too) or it could be shortterm luck.

Often by the time it gets to the money, the blinds are so high its a crapshoot. I normally do what people have suggested in the past. Once I make the money, I'm playing for first only. If I bust out 3rd, so be it but I was to position myself for first. Unfortunately, at this point, it often means being all in on the flop or earlier in most cases. Don't get reckless but made hands and top pairs just have to be pushed and hope they hold. Big hands preflop have to be raised and just get all in with them if need be.

Keep up the good work.

Looks like you need to work on getting aggressive on your end game...small sample size, so it could be situational, if you plan on being a good sng player, end game strategy is huge......