The Table

Single Table Sit N Go Tournament

The table will have either nine (9) or ten (10) players. In almost all cases the table will have 50% or more average to below average player. Gathering information from the table at the beginning is YOUR  job.  I recommend you play ONLY premium hands for the first few rounds and gather all the info at this time.  By premium hands I mean (AA) (KK) (QQ) (JJ) (10,10).  If you are in position playing (AK) or (AQ) is acceptable.

‘All in’ at the beginning of the game is for losers

There is no reason to ‘push’ (put all of your chips in) with a monster hand of (AA) or (KK)  at the beginning, as these hands win 66% of the time. Instead, pick up the blinds or small pots to begin building your stack.  The levels are 8 to 10 minutes long, which gives you time for information gathering.

In a STT Sit N Go it is not unusual to see players pushing (all-in) with almost any pocket pair or (A,anything) in the early stages.  So play tight, you have the time.

As Time Goes By

In the middle stage of the tournament, there will be 6 players or less left. The blinds will be (50/100) or (75/150). Now is the time to get more aggressive.  If you were gathering information, you will have a fair to good read on your opponents.  Your selection of playing hands will now include lesser pocket pairs and high card connectors.  REMEMBER position is still important.

Have you built a stack?

If you haven’t then now is the time to start pushing all-in with [(AK) (AQ) (AJ) (A10) or (KQ) or high pocket pairs.  You need chips and this is the time to change up your play since the table knows you as a tight player.   This should allow you to pick up at least the blinds when no one has a significant hand and that’s a good result. Once you have doubled up you can go back to a more conservative play.  We just defined ‘tight-aggressive’.

The Final Four

To Cash or Win?

If you are still in the tournament, you have to decide: Are you in it to win or are you in it to cash.  My philosophy is to cash in as many tournaments as possible and let the wins take care of themselves.

If you stack has dwindled and your on the short end, you will have to be aggressive.  Playing (A rag), (K rag) and pairs smaller than (8,8) are playing hands.  You should have decent information on those who are left and if you watch your position, you should be able to get to the money (third or better).

If your chip count is good, go after the short stack.  Here you can pick up the blinds (which will be a good size by now) and continue to build your stack.  The short stack IS prepared to go all in at this point so be prepared to call.

Heads Up

Position is Power

At this stage you will be IN position half the time.  Be aggressive.  If your opponent has a bigger stack, watch for the signs.  If he/she plays back more aggressive, you may want to pick a better hand to continue dumping money into the pot.  There is nothing wrong with folding a poor hand at this point.  Go after the blinds.  Your position will allow you to keep up if you play smart.

REMBEMBER… Position, Information and Patience.  At any stage of the tournament.

1. Sit Go Poker – Sitngo – In Poker Tournaments PATIENCE Is Required!
2. Sit Go Poker – SitNGO – POSITION IS POWER!
3. Sit Go Poker – SitnGo — Prepare for the Final Table
4. Sit Go Poker – SitNGo – Bad Attitude? Lose it or Lose!