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Sit-and-go poker tournaments aren’t necessarily a ‘type’ of poker, but more so a type of tournament. It means what it says: a tournament that begins when a certain number of players have signed up. This type of tournament gained popularity during the World Series of Poker and the boom of the online poker industry in the 2000s.
During that time, poker players began to look for new forms of gameplay and a single-table tournament format fit this perfectly. SNGs exist at different levels as lower and higher buy-ins are both available in these tournaments. Since its introduction into the professional poker world, SNG tournament strategy has evolved to incorporate online technology and tips given by poker professionals to master the game.
SNG tournament strategies differ according to different guides and perspectives. It is important to have your strategy mapped out during SNGs due to their quickness and short duration. This is why the consensus tends to be the same regardless of which type of SNG tournament one is participating in. The recommendation is to play according to how many players are eliminated and the stage of blinds you are at.
In the beginning, it is usually recommended to play tightly, meaning playing with small, strong hands to begin with, but folding more often than not. Players should play accordingly to keep most of their hands for the middle round when more players are eliminated and the prize is higher. The consensus is to not risk your chips too early unless the hand is worth it, and in the end, measure your chips against your last few opponents to decide if it’s worth going all-in or not.
Anette Obrestad could attest to the advantages of SNG tournaments, as she created a historic moment when she won the $4 buy-in in a 180-person game! It may seem like the odds are stacked against the player, given the number of people who can join the fun, but really, it’s all to play for, and here is why.
Uncomplicated Structure
Sit-and-go tournaments are fast-paced because they require no certain start time, and usually the game will require an exact number of participants.
They are simpler than casino games, and an easy option for impatient players. They started off having up to 10 players and lasting about 10 minutes in their early days but they evolved as SNGs became popular. There are now a variety of different SNGs with different rules with subtle changes, so the game is constantly changing much like the online gambling industry with its new technology and rules.
The game works with players starting with an equal amount of chips until one person acquires them all, which usually happens quickly. This process is through blind levels in which bets increase so players can be eliminated and lose their chips to ensure there is a winner.
In terms of gameplay, this structure is good because it makes the game easy to play due to the lower number of players. Fewer decisions need to be made and fewer players need to be watched by their rivals, allowing players to make informed decisions with their hands and waiting less time for their opponents.
Multi-Tabling Abilities
Short gameplay can be considered a con if you asked some players, but in poker, a player can make it work in their favor. The short nature of sit-and-go tournaments allows the player to multi-table, meaning playing multiple games at different tables or if online, in different games. This means the person can build up their return on investment (ROI). Beneficial for players, building their ROI means they can play multiple games and have more time to cash in due to being able to play multiple games with low buy-ins.
However, the opportunity to build a player’s ROI will depend on factors such as the number of players in the tournament and the buy-in amount for the SNG.
Chance to improve hand selection
Repetition can sometimes be associated with boringness, but during SNG tournaments, this is the key to increased payouts. Because the blinds are usually timed, this gives the player the advantage of predictability because they know when they will and won’t have to fold. The timed intervals ensure players can keep track of their stack of chips whilst noting their opponents' decisions. The option for quick elimination means if a person is wise with their chips, they can ensure a good strategy to get to the end of the game and utilize the late game to produce larger hands if they are able.
Time Efficiency & Bigger Payouts
As SNG tournaments start as soon as players put themselves in their chairs, the race is on, and so they’re very time-efficient. Time efficiency in SNGs means eliminations are cut-throat so the endless possibilities of how to approach the game are infinite.
SNGS are therefore a great option for those who want to play systematic and simple poker games on their schedule that are accessible. With the internet and SNGS, there is no hassle when signing up, and players can choose to play a single-table SNG (a singular game), or a multi-table one if they have more free time, allowing them to customize their gameplay to focus on their poker goals.
Fair payout pools mean potential prizes for more players
SNG tournaments are known for having an established payout format. Depending on whether they are single-table or multi-table SNGs, payouts can differ.
Single-table ones are great for odds-based cash outs, as typically the top three players receive a payout of some sort. In these tournaments, the payouts are usually divided in percentages according to the player’s placement in the tournament. If poker players are looking into getting SNGs, they should familiarise themselves with the rules of buy-ins and how they operate before entering.
