I began playing poker very recently, on Stars. I started playing cash tables and found myself playing limits much higher than I should be. I got lucky and made a profit from it very quickly, but then stopped after realising I was basically gambling.

I've since moved onto low stakes SNGs for practice. Over the last 2 days, I've won in 5 9-man SNGs (1st x4, 3rd x1) out of 6, 1 18-man (3rd) and a 27-man (1st). I haven't played any others. I also just came 1st in a 300-man super turbo satellite to the PS Sunday 1/4 million (which I have already unregistered from).

Obviously this is a nice boost to my confidence, but from the experience of other players out there, is this likely just down to typical 'beginners luck'?

I think it's just variance, so yes.

probably variance kicking its tone to your benefit. keep track of your play and be objective and you might stay here longer than you expect.

There is no way in knowing if it is skill or luck. I would bet money that you are just on a heater now. Play maybe around 1500 SnG and see if you are still a winner.

Placing first that many times consecutively is most certainly variance, but welcomed variance in this case. Just don't be suprised when it levels out

Well you certainly can't keep up that win rate so you are definitely on the plus side of variance. However, your ultra tiny sample cannot give you any indication whether you are a long term winner or loser. Still, nice start.

Definetly variance. If you could win at a consistant rate at that then you'd be defying the laws of mathematics and most probablly could see peoples cards. Understand that skill edges in nl holdem at least are very minimal but over time its adds up to lots of dollars.

Yes, variance.

I'm at the other end of the variance at the moment, the last few days. I only wish I had the patience to go for that long run, and see how good or bad I really am.