"Sit and go" strategy

[blueday]

Sit and go tournaments are small single table tournaments where between 2 and 10 players are in the game.  Some sites have mini multi table tournaments classed as sit and go but with up to 50 players involved.

So how do you make it into the money and how can you win the tournament. 

The thing to remember is that to start. the blinds are very small and to be perfectly honest, unless you have a top hand, it just isn't worth the bother of playing in the early stages of the game.  All the usual players that want to be "in the lead" at an early stage, will be throwing their chips into the pot to steal blinds and get lucky.

I play very very tight at the beginning of a sit and go - let all the others take each other out trying to "get lucky".  I have found that I tend to "join in" when the blinds are up to about 100.  Watch the other players carefully - watch their betting style.  Do they bet big when they hit bottom pair on the flop / do they check raise / do they slow play the goods hands.  All this information can assist you during the latter part of the tournament. 

Now the blinds are up - it is worth playing reasonable hands and by reasonable, i mean pocket pairs, big slick and high suited cards.  Raise if you have a top pair and let those that are left know that when you have a good hand - you mean business and there will be no messing around - if they want to see the flop they hav to pay to see it.  The other players will have noted that you have folded many hands and will not want to be against you unless they have a good hand too.  So be careful if you do raise and you get the re-raise but do take into account the action that player has shown previously i.e. betting high on a draw or bottom pair. 

There is no reason why - with careful play - you shouldn't place in the money on most occasions. 

Should you make it to the final two i.e. you and one other opponent, this is a totally different ball game.  Ace rag is a good hand and you should raise big to stop your opponent getting lucky with lesser rubbish.  Don't be afraid to bet if you hit middle pair on the flop - chances are that you are ahead.  If your opponent is a bit of a bluffer - call his bets if he is first to act but do remember that you can fold if you don't think you are ahead.

You can also use the fact that you have been seen to fold rubbish throughout the game to bluff a few hands.  I've taken down a good few pots with this strategy because they really do believe that you have the best hand.  Don't be afraid to fold a few hands when you are heads up - it shows that you are still not prepared to go with "rubbish".

Don't let them bully you - if you do - you are sure to be 2nd.  Give them as good as they give you - if they keep raising your big blind every hand - do it back to them and dont be afraid to re-raise them if they raise your bet.  Chances are they are trying to steal.  A medium or even small pocket pair is a great hand when you are heads up so dont be afraid to throw all your chips into the pot.

I could go on for ever about what to look out for but only your practice will make you a better player. 

These are just a few tips of a massive iceberg that may help you.

Good luck!