Sit N Go Strategy and Tips
Sit N Go’s are typically single table tournaments and there are all kinds of them where blinds go up incredibly fast all the way to a normal pace. The most common SNG’s usually pay the top 3 players.
The first question you need to ask is "Do I want to finish in the money or do I want to finish 1st?" Playing for 1st requires playing more aggressively and therefore more risk. You need to build a stack early so you can control the action. This type of play will either hurdle you into first position or cripple you. If you end up with a big stack then you can bully the table. People who play for first only don’t mind losing early as they see it as an opportunity to enter another quickly, and the payout is worth this strategy.
The rest of the players just want to get into the money. They know if they make it past the bubble, then they can take chances and try to move up. These players avoid the early action, letting the ultra loose and aggressive players knock each other out. They reason that the less people left, the better the odds are for them when they start to play. Also, one of the players knocked out may actually be a better play who just suffered a bad beat.
Like a ring game, you can’t watch it and then sit at the best table. You just sit and the players you get are the players you get. This is where notes come in real handy. If you play often then you can mark who the maniacs are and who are calling stations, who is aggressive and who is passive and tight versus loose. In the first few hands, you need to sum up the table and decide how everyone is playing.
In a crazy game where everyone is going all-in, it’s best to sit back and wait for the dust to settle. The blinds will be low so missing a few hands while people make quick exits is good. If the game is the opposite, take charge and play more hands. Most SNG’s will end up being a mix of both with aggressive at first. Usually it’s best to play conservative in the beginning and near the bubble start to loosen up. Your tight image will pay off here. Be aware that most good SNG players adopt this type of strategy.
Playing to win or to place is up to you and there will be tournaments where you may decide to change your answer. The basic strategy above will help you place more but being flexible in some situations may boost your 1st place wins
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