Basic SNG Strategy
Posted: 2007-10-30 09:35:38
In my opinion sit n go's are a necessary tool for sharpening your game, and preparing for multi table tournaments.
Essentially SNG's simulate final table tournament play, with the exception being all the chip stacks start out the same. Unlike a MTT, when a player busts, the seat is not filled and you must adjust to fewer players and change your game.
The following is how I approach a sit and go.
Early stage - 8 to 10 players remain
Play is usually very loose in the early stage. I tend to play the early stage very tight, only playing premium hands looking for a double up. I may limp, or slow play a big hand in this stage trying to double up. I try not to get too involved in this stage, knowing I can build chips in the later rounds as the blinds increase. I think the biggest mistake a sit and go player makes is having the "double up or go home" mentality, figuring they will gamble and if it doesn't work out, they will just play another. This is not a long term winning strategy. This is the person you are looking to trap in the early stage.
During this round you should be studying your table and making notes.
Blind stealing is pointless in the early stage.
Middle stage - 5 to 7 player remain
Play tends to settle down and tighten up a bit.
As players drop and blinds increase, your strategy must change. Your range of hands played will become bigger and you should start becoming slightly more aggressive. The amount of money that you are paying in blinds becomes more frequent so you must adjust to this. Beware of the smaller, desperate stacks and stay away from them unless you have a good hand. Blind stealing becomes a factor in this stage.
Final stage - 4 players or less
Your range of hands played should be slightly wider than the middle stage. Stay aggressive with your big hands and use your chip stack accordingly.
If you are the big stack keep the pressure on the small stacks not wanting to bubble.
If you are the small stack you must remain a threat. You may have to push your chips in with marginal hands to avoid getting too short.
Once the bubble breaks play tends to become erratic 3 handed. People tend to gamble more once they make the money. I think this is a bad strategy since 50% of the prize pool is in first place.
If the structure allows it, try to avoid the all in preflop fest you see so often, and try to play flop poker. A lot of times in the turbo's it is inevitable and your opponents will force this style. Remember the goal is to win, but you have to get to heads up first. Once you get to heads up, no matter the size of the chip stacks you can always win.
Like anything in poker you must find out what works for you and stay with it. You can use sit and go's to not only improve your game, but to ready yourself for final table tournament play.
Debo
