Party steps games

Whilst continuing the bankroll challenge I have also decided to play the steps games on Party Poker. Basically, you enter a series of stts and instead of getting cash you get a token to buy into the next level which ultimately ends in an stt where you do win cash. I think the set up on Party is pretty good:

Level 1 $3 ($2.60 + 0.40)
1 -2 - level 2 token
3-4 - level 1 token

Level 2 $10 ($8.90 + 1.10)
1-2 level 3 token
3-4 level 2 token
5--7 level 1 token

Level 3 $30 ($27 +3)
1-3 level 4 token
4 level 3 token
5-7 level 2 token

Level 4 $70 ($63 + 7)
1-3 level 5 token
4 level 4 token
5-7 level 3 token

Level 5 $170 ($154 + 16)
1-2 level 6 token
3-4 level 5 token
5-6 level 4 token
7-8 level 3 token

Level 6 $500 ($470 + 30)
1 $2000
2 $1000
3 $700
4-5 $500

So as you can see the payouts at level 6 are pretty good and from level 2 onwards the top 7 at least get a token for another go at various levels. The blinds are 9 minute levels with 2k starting stacks so not too much of a crap shoot especially with the number of positions paid out. Some may say that 6 levels are a lot to get through but I don't think that the opposition at levels 4 or 5 will be as good as those who normally buy in to standard $70 or $170 stts - there are a lot of sharks at those levels who know ICM pretty well and multi table and make a serious profit. Step games are more likely to be against people like me who have moved up from the lower levels! Well I hope so anyway!

What I would hope to do is get a few level 2 tokens and then play them to try and get as many shots at the next level as possible.

I played 2 of the level 1 games tonight and had a bad beat in the first when my AA was cracked by the chip leaders flopped K high flush. Another club on the turn or river would have been great for my A clubs and would have pretty much been guaranteed a payout. However, I managed 2nd in the other game I played and have my first level 2 token! So we will see how it goes!