Sit N Go's

Sit N Go's are essentially mini-tournaments, either single table or multi table. A single table SNG will start with 10 players whereas a multi table SNG will usually be 30 players or more.

All have a set dollar buy in plus an additional amount for the house, such as a 5/1, 10/2, etc. What this means is that the buy in costs you total $6; $5 to the table prize pool and $1 to the card house, and so on according to what is listed.

Each person starts with typically 800 or 1000 chips, though some sites start as high as 1500. In a single table SNG you will place in the money by finishing 3rd or better, and in a multi table usually 5th or better. Most also can be played either No Limit, Pot Limit, or with Standard betting rounds. I've played some SNG's that last 15 mins and others that have lasted well over several hours.

The reason I like these is in the online environment they play a little more realistic than playing at a regular online table. Sure there are 2 or 3 players that like to play a little aggressive at first, but I have found that these people are usually the first to be eliminated.

There are several Sit N Go strategy guides available at various places online. Most will give you information that has essentially been recycled several times, and you can usually find this information free, including here on my site. Please do not waste your money on this information.

Following my rules found on the Poker Basics and Poker for Dummies pages I almost always place in the money. Granted, not always but most of the time. Typically I play SNG's in a No Limit or Pot Limit format. Limit SNG's almost always take too long for the value of my time.

Pre-Flop strategy

Early Rounds (1-3):
- Any Position, raise to 3 times the minimum with AA, AK, KK, QQ. Sometimes I raise more if there are 4 or more limpers. This will usually eliminate the weak hands and sometimes even all will fold to your raise. For more aggressive play bet 200 or 300. Also, if re-raised I am not afraid to go all in, especially if it winds up being heads up.
- Early Position (seats 1-7), I will limp in with any pair, sometimes with mid pairs I will raise one bet. If the pot is re-raised more than 1 bet I generally fold small pairs.
- Late Position (seats 8-10), I will limp in with any high card combo, suited of course (AQ, AJ, KQ, KJ, QJ, JT). If there are no raises ahead of you do not be hesitant to raise.
- When in the Small or Big Blinds I will always see the flop unless there is a raise, and only then will I call the raise or re-raise if I have a premium hand.

Middle Rounds (4-6):
- Any Postion, raise to at least 3 times the minimum with any pair AA to 77, AK-AT suited, KQ-KJ suited, QJ suited and JT suited.
- Late Position raise with any combo of high cards (A-J) JT, T9, 98, or 87 suited if there are no raises if your deep stacked. Otherwise limp in.

Late Rounds (6-?), 4 or less players left:
- If the pot is raised, do not enter unless you have AA, KK, QQ, or AK and the raiser has substantially less chips. If a small raise, then I'm not afraid to re-raise 4 times or go all in, especially when deep stacked and the original raiser is short stacked.
- If you are the short stack, you will want to be first in and the rule of thumb is bet big or all in. Don't be afraid to go all in with Ax suited or and pair. Your goal is to double up and get back in the game. I have actually won tournaments after being the shortstack in late rounds.

Other considerations:
- When calling a raise you need to have a better hand than what you needed to raise with in the first place.
- If the raise is a minimum raise and you have already limped in, it is usually worth it to call the re-raise.
- Sometimes the best play is to fold...always keep that in mind.

Flop Strategy

Alright, so you've seen the flop, now what...

Early and Middle Rounds:
- Raise the amount of the pot with Top Pair, good kicker, 2 pair (with no pair on the board), trips, full house, made str8, 4 card flush draw with A or K as your high card or open-ended str8 draw.
- Play all drawing hands aggressively.
- If you are shortstacked and the bet is 40% or more of your stack, go all in.
- Anything else fold.

Late Rounds:
- Same as Early Rounds, however if short stacked, go all in or fold.
- I also tend to stop chasing str8 or flush draws unless I am last to act, everyone has checked, and I have a comfortable ship stack. Then I raise 3 times the bet. If re-raised if the caller was short stacked and is now all in. Again, use your judgment for this.
- Don't be afradi to tighten up, especially when it is down to 4 players. Remember, your goal is to get in the money.

Turn and River Strategy

This should be a no brainer as the flop is where the most critical decision is made. if heads up don't be afraid to be aggressive if you think you can steal. If on the river and there is only a small bet call, even with a weak hand. If the river bet is large and you think you are beat, fold

Other Tips

- If you have then nuts...4 of a kind, str8 flush, royal flush, then by all means go all in. 9 times out of 10 you will get 1 or 2 callers and you will quickly take a nice, comfortable chip lead.
- Be cautious of your full house. Though it does not happen often, I have seen it enough when there is a pair on the board giving me a full house but also gives my opponent a better full house, or even worse 4 of a kind. Example 1, you played KT, and the board shows TK3TA. Example 2, you played KK and the board comes K44. In both case you have a very powerful hand but not the nuts. Again, just be cautious.