SNG (Sit and Go) poker play demands a specific approach as they are uniquely structured poker tournaments. As the prize structure for a 1 Table SNG is usually 50%-30%-20% in terms of prize pool payouts you are rewarded with double your buy-in (less the 10% rake) for coming in third place. Therefore during the tournament, unlike a multi table tournament (MTT), it is more positive expected value (+EV) to sneak into the money rather than gamble for a chip stack aiming for the high spot as you would in a larger tournament.

Once you get down to the final four spots in a SNG you will normally notice a few key characteristics. The players will be competent and not spewy with their chips. No player will be hammering every pot and in most cases each player will be capable of sensible folds. Your play at this point is either going to earn you the cash or see you exit the tournament in 4th place with no cash payout. Every player will know this and immediately there is an adjustment of playing styles by either participant in reflection of this knowledge. We will give a quick run down of strategy for each of the players, from the chip leader to the short stack.

Chip Leader

If you are on the button you should shove all-in against good players who understand ICM and the relationship between +cEV (positive chip expected value) and +$EV (positive dollar expected value). This is the relationship between calling to get chips and also the actual dollar amount the risk is worth to them. Good players will only call off with hands better than Queens as they are better off waiting rather than risking other players calling and having their tournament at risk. They are prudently waiting for other players to take that risk instead.

Against weaker players use a standard raise and continuation bet. You will often be snap called in an all-in situation when their bravado kicks in. It amazes me the amount of people who play tight but get seduced by the potential large win and call despite being relatively tight in other situations. If they are bad players, let them call and miss and then fold after the flop. If they re-raise you after the continuation bet then you can assess what to do at that point with some knowledge that they are probably holding something.

Second Chip Leader

Call an all-in bet from the chip leader only with either Kings or Aces and an all-in bet by the short stack with only Aces. This ensures you put the pressure on the third and fourth stacks to do something to get chips and therefore force them to take risks. You are second out of all players and if things stay as they are you will cash. Do not feel the need to pressure the chip leader, they are in a fortunate position where they will probably cash and you can put pressure on them after you will win some money from the tournament. First off, however, you must cash.

When facing the shorter stacks, you should put pressure on them in position raising them in the big blind if you feel they can fold and the chip leader is no longer involved in the hand.

Third Placed Stack

Only call a re-raise with better than Queens and only with a pair (fold AQ and AK). If the short stack is extremely short and you have a good hand you can call with that, but I would recommend no less than AJ and only for two big blinds. Your strategy here is waiting for the short stack to bust. If you hold Kings and the chip leader raises all-in and they are called, then fold the Kings to get into the money and let the big stacks contest the big pot without you at risk.

Short Stack

You have two main strategies here. You can wait it out to see if there is a big hand versus big hand situation between the larger stacks or make a move to get some chips. The other players will be waiting for you to bust. But they will also be conscious that by risking chips to eliminate you they will be helping their opponents.

If your stack is really short I think it is better to blind out rather than take a meaningless double up. You never know someone might get married to Queens and put it all-in against the chip leaders Aces. It is rare but I have seen it happen. If you are short but still have fold equity, then you should pick your spots and push. Other players will be more scared to call because you “should” finish 4th and they will be looking at not losing the cash place rather than winning the tournament at this point.

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By Malcolm Clarke