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SNG Strategy

There are different approaches for Sit n' Go's. The type of SNG's that fit the profiles of our visitors, beginning poker players, would be the ones with higher stacks and regular blinds. For instance, a small stack turbo SNG would get your stack in jeopardy much sooner, since you will face more decisions to call big raises and all in moves.

Single Table Tournaments (STT's) have 10 or less players. This means you will see fewer cards before ending heads up. Basically, there are more occasions where you have to make your marginal hands value more, especially when the table becomes short handed.

Observing your opponents

Pay good attention on their plays, and try to figure out which of the other players keeps folding to bets. These are in generally the ones you have to attack when the blinds get up.

Starting hands

Position is very important when playing Sit n' Go's. Playing top pocket pairs from Aces to Queens, including AK suited are recommended in almost any position, but be prepared to lay down anything lower than Cowboy's (KK) when someone moves all in.

In late position you might as well play some more hands, including any suited face cards. You hope to flop a full house, a (near) nut flush, a straight, or two pair. If you complete a monster, the others who have limped in will probably hit something as well. This way you are able to slow play them and take away a nice amount of their stack.

Pocket pairs are also recommended to play because of the chance to hit a set. This can be of real value against multiple callers.

The early stages

Playing very tight is the key to success. Do not bluff when the blinds are still low. The risk/reward ratio is low, and you might end up loosing a big portion of your stack when your opponent holds a solid hand.

When you get in a pot, you want to get as much out of it as you can. You want your stack to become big enough to bet properly in the middle stages of the SNG.

The middle stages

When the blinds increase, or the lesser players remain you might have to change your style. The table is now (near) short handed, thus a looser approach is recommended. You are now able to steal a few pots, as your opponents most probably will pay you the respect you earned in the earlier rounds.

In this stages players try to either grow, or stay alive. It's best to play a bit more aggressive against passive players, and attacking the average sized stacks. They will most likely fold or re-raise you all in, in which case you just take your loss and fold.

The end stages

By now you're probably in the money (ITM). From now on you are no longer surviving. Your primary goal has now changed to winning the SNG.

If you're stack is short compared to your opponents, then trying to double up with any reasonable hand is a good practice. Of course you may end up loosing, but on many occasions the others will fold and you can take away the blinds. Ax is a fine hand, on many occasions you will win the pot with just a high card, so don't be tempted to make a silly all in move with nothing.

If you are the chip leader, or close to it, then a more patient approach is favorable. Deny the lower stacks' all in moves, just for the simple reason stated above, of course unless you really hold a decent hand to justify the call.

Head's up

When you've made it to the last two, you've already played an outstanding Sit n' Go. You are now looking to be crowned as a champion.

Aggression is the key. Many plays are based on coin flips when raising, or moving all in. Make sure to keep up the pressure, raising most flat call, but be careful and respect big raises from your opponent. A lot of bluffing is mandatory for winning the largest prize.