Sit n Go Tournament Strategies

Rules/Concepts
One of the more embraced forms of online poker non-scheduled tournaments are Sit n Go’s. The tournaments do not have a scheduled start time but they begin when the table/tables are filled up. They are usually played with a single table game consisting of nine or ten players but can also be played with multiple tables. More players in the game constitute a larger prize pool for the winners.

You buy-in and sit in a table where each player receives the same number of chips; typically 1500 chips is the standard. The game is played until there is only one chip left. Blinds go up after a specific time or number of hands played; usually 5 to 10 minutes.

The prize money is compiled from the total buy-ins from all players and paid out to the top three winners. The first place winner receives 50%, the second place winner receives 30% and the third place winner receives 20%. An example of this is a ten player tournament with $5+$0.50 the total prize money would be $50; $25 for first place, $15 for second place and $10 for third place. The remaining $0.50 is the poker room fee from each player. The game last from fifteen minutes to one hour.

The following are other forms of Sit n Go’s:

Heads up Sit n Go

2 to 4 players. With the 4 player matches, two heads up matches are played and the winners go against each other. The payout is winner takes all.

6 Player Sit N Go

The usually payout is for the top two finishers with 65% for first place and 35% for second place.

15 Player and 20 or 30 Player
Multiple table games

Satellite Sit n Go
9 to 10 players enter and the top winner wins their way into a larger buy-in tournament.

Step Sit n Go
Players begin at Step 1 which could have a $5 buy-in with the top 2 winners advancing to Step 2 which could have a $25 buy-in; the final tournament begins after 4 – 5 steps are complete.

Turbo or Fast Sit n Go’s
Players begin with fewer chips and blinds increase every three minutes. The game is played quickly and will have a looser play style to them in which they play a larger variety of hands. Players sometimes choose to put all of their chips in early for a chance to double their stack. The players are then able to sit back and see if better hands will be played.

Basic Strategy
A basic strategy is to divide the Sit n Go into three stages; early, middle and late.

Early Stage
Play with only monster hands; queens, kings and aces. It would be in your best interest to get an early chip lead. This will allow you to get ahead of any amateur players that may draw out on you before they are knocked out. Many poker rooms allow you to take notes on the other players. This is advantageous to you in case you play against any of these same players in future games.

Middle Stage
Entering this stage play very selectively and you can begin to play a few more hands after about four players are knocked out of the tournament. Playing tight is beneficial at this stage.

Late Stage
If you loosen up and push your chips during this final stage, you may begin to watch the remaining players (usually down to four) begin to fold. Often players in this last stage will move from aggressive playing to tight playing so they can make money. Stacking up chips before getting down to the last three players will be beneficial since at the end the player with the most chips profits the most.

Staying on top your game is important as some players are in a hurry to play to make money and end up making mistakes.