Here are thirty tried and true tips for attaining sit n go hold'em tournament success:
1. Bluff smart.
For a bluff to succeed, it must be believable. This requires 2nd level thinking, you thinking about what your opponent is thinking. Even 3rd level, you thinking about what your opponent is thinking about what you are thinking. When you are thinking about what your opponent will believe, you are on the right track.
2. Steal blinds.
Fighting for and stealing blinds is essential to survival. There is no other way. For starters, learn to steal from these four primary stealing positions: cutoff, button, small blind, and big blind.
3. Play detached.
This is a state of mind. Best described as serenity, absent attachment to outcomes. Your poker hands will seem effortlessly to play themselves. If you ever achieve this state, try to remember how it feels, and how you got there. It is worth repeating every time you play.
4. Never give up.
Like they say, 'a chip and a chair'. More than once, I have come back from just a handful of chips (35 to be exact) to win a sit n go.
5. Self talk.
For me, there is a direct correlation between the level of my play and the amount of self talk going on in my head. If I'm discussing with myself every move at the table, whether I am in the hand or not, my performance skyrockets. Observe, question, explain, and anticipate (to yourself).
6. Make the money.
Unlike a large tournament, the sit n go payout structure rewards nicely for simply making the money. Thus, the first priority of a sit n go player is to survive to make the money. Then, to win the game. Keep your priorities straight.
7. Bet the right amount.
Betting the right amount is part art and part science. Think of a bet as sending chips on a mission. The mission could be to scout the enemy, to wound the enemy, or to plunder the land. Only if you send out the right number of chips, will they all come home, loaded with lots of booty.
8. Play position.
Hopefully, we all understand the importance of position in hold'em. Position is even more important in a sit n go. This is because rapidly increasing blinds force you to make moves. Moves you likely would never make in a ring game. Moves are very risky, but necessary. Thus, moves from position are more valuable, since they have a greater expectation for success.
9. Know when to fold'em.
This tip is about something more than the popular poker cliche. Here we are referring to the big, life saving poker hand lay-down. Debates rage about what to hold, and what to fold, and when. Just understand that there will come a time when your pocket rockets have to go into the muck pile if you are to survive.
10. Don't give free cards.
In other words, don't give free cards. Punish your enemy. Make them pay for a chance to beat you.
11. Be tight.
But, not passive or timid. How tight? In the first few orbits of a sit n go, say, 5-10% VP$IP. Only A-A and K-K are viable all-in hands. Be cautious with every other holding.
12. Be aggressive.
But, not loose. Very selectively unleash massive doses of aggression. Selectivity is the key. Wait for a good hand in great position to beat up weak opponents.
13. Mix it up.
Shift gears often. But, only briefly. Tight/aggressive ABC poker is still your most likely winning style. Just aim to play a hand a little differently every few orbits.
14. Be tricky.
If you can showdown one winning trap, your table image will skyrocket. Respect and fear, equal more winning bluffs.
15. Don't fall behind.
Constantly monitor your stack and the blind levels. If you are at 2/3 of your starting stack in the middle rounds, you are in trouble. Time to shift gears and step on the gas.
16. Protect your big stack.
If you have accumulated a stack greater than what the average will be at the bubble, then you are set. This is your ticket to the money. Do not squander or unnecessarily risk a single chip.
17. Don't get trapped.
It is easy to see a trap coming. A smooth call of a large bet by a good player, for example. Unfortunately, sometimes our ego won't let us avoid the obvious. If you are not sure about a situation, play safe. It is OK to check/fold. Better safe than sorry. Live to fight another day. There will be plenty more chances, but only if you are still in the game.
18. Be creative.
This requires thinking and planning ahead. Almost every orbit presents some unique opportunity to collect chips. Stay alert. Learn to spot and seize the many small and large opportunities for chip accumulation.
19. Set chip targets.
Always aim for at least an average stack size at every level of blinds. There are two critical junctures: the beginning of short table play, and the bubble. It is very important to arrive at these two points with at least an average stack size.
20. Out play, not out luck 'em.
Indiscriminate all-in bets will catch up with you, even when you're holding A-A or K-K. There is only one certainty at the poker table: your ability. As much as is possible, avoid resigning your ability to the hands of fate.
21. Be patient.
Whether you are just learning the game, or you are an old timer, patience is poker's #1 virtue. How patient? Well, first you wait. Then, you wait some more. After that, you wait a good while longer. Sometimes, you have to wait until you are hurting all over. Get the picture?
22. Be focused.
Tournaments and sit n go's require long stretches of uninterrupted concentration. Learn to ignore distractions.
23. Control your emotions.
Emotions can rage during a sit n go. There are highs and lows. Rational decision making can be replaced by irrational reactions. Learn self-control.
24. Practice.
Don't expect to conquer this game overnight. For most folks, it can take years just to become proficient. That means lots and lots of practice.
25. Select the right game, at the right level, on the right table.
If you are 10th best player in the world, and sit down in a game with the 9 best, guess what? You lose. So, pick the game style you play best, with a comfortable buy-in level, at a table of the weakest players.
26. Get software.
There are online aids of all types. You can track and analyze every facet of your game.
27. Get help.
Join an online poker forum. There you can get help and learn from others.
28. Take notes.
Every time you play take notes on your opponents, notes on yourself, and notes on the game. Then print out the Tournament Hand History and annotate it with comments on the way you and your opponents played various hands.
29. Read and learn.
Read books, magazines, newsletters, etc. There are unlimited sources. Watch videos and DVD's. There is a lifetime of learning ahead.
30. Achieve mental toughness.
With discipline you can achieve the quality of mental toughness. Meaning, that by achieving mental toughness you will be able to steadily execute all of the above tips.
There are literally hundreds of tips for success in a sit n go. But, these few are fundamental. Follow them and win, or ignore them and lose. It is just about that simple.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
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