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Playing Sit n Go’s online is the fastest growing poker segment for online play today. Sit n Go poker strategy is vastly different than playing poker in cash rooms. If you implement sound Sit n Go strategy, playing in this forum can be extremely lucrative. This article is set up to provide players an advantageous edge over normal players through the use of basic poker strategy along with strategy that is specified for Sit n Go play in mind. When this information is applied on a consistent basis the end result will be an increased bank roll.
There are many alluring aspects to Sit n Go’s that have made it so popular for online poker players. First, most 9-10 player Sit n Go’s last approximately 45-60 min. The time aspect compared to the opportunity to make money is very good. A first place finish typically rewards 4 to 5 times the buy in amount. A second place finish provides 3 x the buy in and a 3rd place finish typically provides 2 x’s the buy in amount. This means if you are skilled enough to land a first place finish you will make a net profit of $70-$80 on a $20 buy in. In cash games you are more likely to triple your money in a hr. with sound poker strategy. Since, the games last only 45-60 minutes on average means that there is less patience required to make money.
Sit n Go’s typically provide more fish than cash rooms. On a 10 player Sit n Go game you will find maybe 1 or 2 players that no how to approach the Sit n Go format whereas, in a cash room you will tend to find 5-6 grinders on a 10 person ring game. Many players that play cash instead of Sit n Go’s defend that in Sit n Go’s you have to catch hands to get into the money. Although you do have cards that catch flops at certain times in the tournament doesn’t mean there is more or less luck involved in cash games vs. Sit n Go’s. One’s ability to win on a consistent basis whether it is cash or Sit n Go depends on the strategy used to be successful. There are a few elements to remember before entering a Sit n Go tourney. The buy in amount is the first element to consider. You should only sit in a poker tournament where the buy in is equal or less than 10% of your total bank roll. If your bank roll is $200 the maximum Sit n Go tourney that should be entered would be $20. Remember, the reason for this buy in approach is that you are still susceptible to bad beats and most importantly if you play in a Sit n Go where the buy in is a large percent of your bank roll you will play too safe especially in the later stages of the poker tournament that will more than likely inhibit you of making a first place finish. When considering where to sit on a Sit n Go some players pick the seat that they see other players winning in during past Sit n Go’s. Although you do see some seats in a particular Sit n Go win with some type of consistency don’t become superstitious or otherwise on picking a “lucky” seat. All seats are the same with one exception. This exception is one of which if you consistently see players on a table have played with you can position yourself left or right of them depending on their level of aggressiveness in play.
There are 4 stages of a Sit n Go tourney one needs to be cognate of when playing because each stage requires a different approach in strategy.
Early Stage (9-10 Players at Sit n Go) During early stages of a Sit n Go the most important thing to remember is to play tight. The opportunity to bluff and be ultra aggressive will come but now is not the time. The blinds are too small that even if you bluff a pot it is too small vs. the risk to win that pot. Early in a Sit n Go it is not out of the ordinary to see all ins between 2 or more players. The inexperienced player will immediately get anxious with a feeling of playing behind after this happens and get involved with hands they normally wouldn’t. This more times than not is a recipe for a quick exit. Position betting is not all that important in this stage of the game as the cards you receive and play.
Middle Stage (5-7 Players left in Sit n Go) In this stage of the tournament you will now need to wake up and start being aware of your position and start making plays within reason. For example, by playing tight in the early stage will give the perception you are very tight. This means that if you are entering an unraised pot if you are to enter it is best to raise even with a hand like 7,8. Why? because most players recognized that you have been playing tight so you will more than likely only be re-raised by a premium. If you do this and follow up with a continuation bet on the flop you will pick up the pot more times than not because of your perceived play. Bluffing within reason becomes essential at this stage of the tournament because when blinds are 50-100 that is a pot big enough to pick up without a hand depending on your position in the hand.
Late Stage (3-4 Players left in Sit n Go) At this stage of the poker tournament blinds tend to be 100-200 or more and it is imperative to know the other players by now as far as their betting patterns and know how to play their stacks. Bluffing for the most part should be retreated and other simple tactics such as raising on the button in an un-raised pot is a better option. However, hole card values rise at this point. For example A, 10 is now a raising hand in first position etc.
Heads Up Stage (2 Players left in Sit n Go) By now you should know your opponent left in the tournament and know how aggressive to play. However, remember no matter how aggressive your opponent may or may not be, basic heads up strategy applies. Don’t raise in the big blind unless you have a good starting hand. Raising the big blind when in the small blind with a face card or better isn’t a bad idea. This is because your opponent is likely to be behind and if your opponent calls the preflop bet, with a continuation bet you are likely to take the pot because he or she is not likely to hit the flop. It your opponent calls approach the situation with caution as you would with any heads up play during the tournament. |
