These online tournaments are popular for their quickness which is where they get their name.  SNG, or sit and go, tournaments have a pre-set number of players that are allowed to join the tournament which is typically single table though there are occasional multi-table SNGs.  That means these swift tournaments only have around 5-10 people participating most of the time, and once they hit the pre-set number of players the tournament is no longer open.

Because they know how many will be playing the buy-in and winnings are already set which is an advantage for the players.  They can see exactly how much it will cost them and how likely they are to win a prize, good for weighing your odds before you even begin.  In single table games the top 3 finishers usually get some sort of winnings. 

These tournaments are very competitive because of the fact that more than one player at the table can earn winnings.  Beginners might have a hard time at SNGs because of the better quality of poker players participating and because there is strategy involved if you want to win.

 

Slow Structure vs. Fast Structure Sit and Gos

The speed at which these tournaments are played depends mainly on two things; the number of players and the betting structure.  SNGs range from 2 player head’s up to as many as 50 in a multi table tourney. 

Of course the fewer the people the quicker it is, with the average 5-10 player single table SNG lasting half an hour to an hour.  How long the tournament lasts also is affected by whether you’re playing no limit or limit poker, with no-limit beginning the quicker of the two. 

You can determine if a SNG tournament is right for you based on whether it’s a slow structure or fast structure game.  In the slow type the blinds will raise gradually whereas the in the fast they go up, well faster.  It is typical for many SNG tourneys to have blinds that go up but it’s up to the house to determine what kind of tournament they offer. 

The slow structure is going to be a safer structure where the stakes don’t jump up quickly forcing you to face all-ins and play more hands.

 

Sit and Go Early Stages

The real strategy comes in adjusting your game as the tourney rounds continue because of the changes in the blinds.  In the first few rounds you should play a tight game playing only your strong hands so that you have a better chance of staying in the game.  During this time the blinds haven’t raises much if at all so it won’t cost you as much too simply fold a weak hand. 

If it’s not above a pair of 8’s you should probably wait for a better hand.  When you do get a good hand in poker, like any other time you play you don’t want to scare off the other players with a huge bet.  A bet of more than 5 times the big blind isn’t recommended, and you might even be better off raising to around 3 times the big blind.

 

Sit and Go Later Stage

As the rounds continue more people will get knocked out and the blinds will go up requiring you to loosen up your game some though this depends on where your stack is.  If you’re better off than most you can keep playing a little more tight but open up some.  It’s at this time, around the 4th round, that you can begin to play more aggressively as well, especially if you’re up against others who are still playing tight. 

Because of the short length of time you have left this is when you have to build up your chips to have a better chance of surviving the next couple of rounds.  You also need to make the decision of which lower stacked players to go after.  Your best bet is to try to knock the better players out first so you’ll be left up against weaker players in the end, however don’t forfeit knocking any player out of the way when you have the chance.

 

Summary

Like all playing pay attention to your position at the table and adjust your game accordingly, looser in the later position, tighter in the earlier position.  You also have to concentrate and read the other players’ tells especially when you reach the final rounds.  This tourney will go by fast and you need every advantage to stay in it.  So towards the end adjust to the players around you and know when to fold your hand. 

Remember you don’t usually have to be the last one standing to win. Let the overly aggressive player with a fair amount of chips knock out others or reduce his own stack.  With tight players play looser and raise them to steal the pot.  If you do get a strong hand towards the end slowplaying it could earn you more if people are getting more aggressive.

 

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