Poker Strategy
Basic Sit 'N' Go Strategy
2007-11-18 13:01:21
One of the more fun and popular ways to play online poker is the Sit and Go. A Sit and Go is a tournament that starts as soon as the seats are filled. Usually these are single table tournaments but there are multi-table Sit and Go's as well. Sit and Go's have become so popular that even live casinos have started to run Sit and Go's. Whether you play poker live or online, you'll want to have grounding in the basic ideas behind the Sit and Go.
Sit and Go Structure
Your basic Sit and Go is a single table affair where you are competing against nine or ten opponents and the prize pool is distributed to the top three players: 50 percent to the winner, 30 percent to second place and 20 percent to third. The starting chip stack will depend on the buy-in and the tournament site. Currently sites are leaning towards higher starting chip stacks due to player demand. You will probably start with anywhere from 1000 to 3000 in chips with starting blinds anywhere from 5-15 to 25-50. Blinds typically go up every fifteen minutes in a Sit and Go.
Early Round Sit and Go Strategy
For the first couple of rounds, the blinds are usually relatively low compared to the stacks. This is a good time to feel out your opponents. You may have an opportunity to sit back and let aggressive players hammer at each other. Remember that in a single table sit and go, having a player eliminated is a much greater advantage to you than an opponent with a big stack is a disadvantage. All you have to do is finish third to make money, and in late rounds, one good hand against a big stack can reverse your positions. If opponents want to mix it up, let them. Of course, if you have a good hand, play it aggressively and try to get an overeager opponent to pay you off.
Late Round Sit and Go Strategy
The most critical time in a single table Sit and Go is when there are four or five players left. No one wants to go out "on the bubble," so everyone but the big stacks will be playing extremely carefully. If you are a big stack, this is a great opportunity to steal blinds. Aggressive play can be even more effective in these cases than in a multi-table tournament because players are so desperate to avoid going out fourth. If you are a short stack, be sure to calculate your position based on the blinds. You may have fewer chips than an opponent but if the blinds will reach them first, you might be ahead. If you are not the lowest in chips, wait it out. Look for that premium hand to make your move. Remember the pressure is on the lowest stack. If you are the lowest stack, you're going to have to make your move as soon as possible. Any ace or pair is usually sufficient, and possibly any two high cards, depending on how close you are to being wiped out by the blinds. Once it gets down to the money, luck usually plays a large role. Be aggressive and hope for the best.
