How to survive a Sit and Go poker game
Sit and Go is the name used for a form of poker tournament, played at tables of up to 10 players, often at multiple tables in a knockout format. This kind of poker tournament is different from normal buy-in games, as the number of players is predetermined, and the game starts as soon as the necessary number of players have bought-in.
The game starts as soon as every participating player is ready, and ends when there is only one player is left standing (sitting). So, this is the only kind of poker tournament that has a clear beginning and ending. A typical game of Sit and Go poker can last anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes, but there are several ‘turbo’ versions of the game, that last less. Players can only buy-in at the beginning of the game and leave only when they don’t have any chips left. There’s no re-buying at Sit and Go tables.
Sit and Go are quite different if compared to normal ‘ring’ or ‘cash’ games. For example, these games feature progressive blind bets – they grow as the game progresses. These games require a different attitude – your goal is to stay in the game for as long as possible, ultimately to be the last active player at the table. Betting in these games should be done accordingly.
Starting hand values have an increased importance in a Sit and Go poker game. Strong starting hands are the ones to act upon – the ones with lower values and no value should lead to an instant fold. Betting position and the phase in which the game is also influences the necessary strategy. Also, the actions of the other players should be watched carefully – if they open or raise, they might have a strong initial hand, harder to beat later on.
If you are in doubt about your hand, don’t bet. Only go with strong initial hands in order to avoid being quickly dropped out of the game.
Betting position is also important in Sit and Go games. Being among the first to bet can influence the other players’ actions, and being in a late betting position gives you the advantage of observing your opponents’ bets and being able to make decisions based on their activity.
If you have a strong hand in early position, you can open or raise, or call a raise in late position. In case of a really strong hand – say, a pair of Aces or Kings – you can also go all-in if another player raises before you.
Stealing the blinds is a strategy used by dedicated Sit and Go players in certain circumstances – if most players have folded before you or you are in the small blind betting position. In such a situation a raise might determine the remaining active players to fold, leaving you with the amount of the small and big blind bet – not a huge winning, but an existing one. Be prepared, though, for a counter-attack by some other player – only do this if you have a strong hand with a real chance of winning. Other players might challenge your hand, or raise your bet. In early stages of Sit and Go the stolen blinds might not be much, but later on, as they grow, winnings can be considerable.
