Sit and Go Tournament Strategy - Common SNG Mistakes
Sit-and-go tournaments are tourneys that feature a limited amount of tables. When you play a single table Texas Holdem sit-and-go, it’s like starting at the final table of a multi-table tournament.
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Playing Way Too Many Hands
Just because you’re in a smaller tournament, don’t think that you need to play more hands. Playing too many hands is the biggest mistake you can make it poker and that’s the first thing players learn after learning the texas holdem rules. This true for cash games, multi-tables and sit-and-go tourneys. If you can limit the amount of marginal hands you play, you’ll be more competitive. By choosing to play only premium starting hands, you will dramatically increase your odds of winning it all.
Being Too Impatient
Sit-and-go tournaments are completed much faster than large multi-table tournaments, but don’t let the shortness of the event force you into a reckless, impatient mano euvers. The looser you play in the early stages, the more likely you are to have a quick exit. Just relax and play tight poker at the beginning. Let all the other overly-aggressive players battle each other first. As more and more players get knocked out, you can start to loosen your game up a bit. Don’t let impatience lead to an early exit. Just bide your time and wait until the table has thinned out.
Not Changing Gears
Sit-and-go tournaments are like abbreviated versions of larger multi-table tourneys. When you play these larger tournaments, you have to vary your approach in the early, middle and late rounds of play. The same is true for sit-and-go tourneys. The difference though, is that you need to alter your approach much more quickly, because the tournament will be over before you know it. Playing tight early on, loosening up in the middle rounds and playing aggressive poker in the late stages is a sound strategy. Knowing when to make the switch form one strategic approach to another will take time and practice. Whatever you do, don't play the same way throughout the tournament. Someone at the table is going to figure out your approach and use your predictable playing habits against you.
If you can reduce the number of lousy starting hands you play, avoid becoming impatient and learn how to switch gears, you will improve your performances in sit-and-go tournaments. Sit-and-go tourneys will provide you with excellent final table experience. If you can master the art of playing short-handed poker, you’ll be able to boost your tournament poker earning potential.