Early Game Sit and Go Strategy

Sit n Go games are extremely popular in online poker rooms for many reasons. People watch the big tournaments on TV or live and in the mini format, Sit n Go, they get a chance to emulate the professionals and perhaps make it to their level as well. There are basically two different types of Sit n Go, turbo and non-turbo. The difference lies in how fast the blinds increase but the strategy for early and mid-play is pretty much the same in both the formats.

Observe

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to keep an eye on your opponents. All serious strategy includes this and it begins right there in the early game. If you manage to see patterns in how your opponents are playing you can make great use of this information not only at the final stages of the game but also in following tournaments where the same players might appear again. Make use of tools like notes where you can write down your observations for later use.

Playing it Tight

Good strategy for the early game is to be cautious with your chips. You need to make it to the end and although a sit n go is usually played out within 60 minutes you will want to make the chips you have last the full hour. The idea is to make maximum use of minimum input. This means that you won’t put chips into the pot with a weak hand. Should you end up with a very strong hand you don’t need to be scared of pitching the chips in but this hand should be one of aces, kings and/or queens.

Looking Ahead

In the early game you need to focus on making it to the middle game. It is not good strategy to only think of the final as you must pass the different stages with a well thought out game. A tight player stands a better chance to do well in mid-game as well. Don’t get too creative and if you are playing multi-tables make sure that you can do so and be focused in all of the games. If you play it too aggressive you might end up losing too many chips to ever make it to the end in any of the games that you are busy in.

What Not To Do

In the early game you don’t want to make too much noise at all. Even if this can make the gaming a bit boring you will see that it was well worth it as you reach the later stages. To engage in blind-stealing just for the fun of it is very stupid and you should stay away from such gaming. If you entered with higher investment you better make sure not to give value to any connecting cards as you will want to play it tight on safe bets.

Continue reading part three in this series; Middle Game Sit and Go Strategy.