Six Handed Sit and Go Strategy

Changing the Poker Strategy

Sit and Go (SNG) single table tournaments are very popular and for good reason. The action is fast paced and typically last under an hour. Compared to a standard 9 or 10-seated SNG, the 6-handed version can be very lucrative for players who learn to adapt their play by considering the following elements:

• Short handed play means you don’t have to wait on premium hands to play
• Button steals are far more common in this game
• Many flops aren’t contested beyond the flop
• It’s easier to isolate opponents with fewer players being dealt in
• You can make under the gun raises with more confidence (only 5 more players behind you)

Some of these advantages will benefit you as a player but perhaps not all of them will. It will greatly depend on your playing style now and if you’re able to adapt it to short handed play. If you’ve ever played a short-handed cash game, you understand some of the basics of changing your play based on the number of players at the table. However, a 6 handed SNG is different in that each player will start the tournament with the same number of chips (vs. varying chip stacks in a cash game). So you lose the big-stack/aggressive play option from the start but this doesn’t mean you can’t pressure a weaker player that you’ve identified. Let’s take a look at early stages play in a 6 handed SNG.

Poker Strategy for the first three levels of 6 handed SNG’s

The first three levels in a typical 6 handed SNG should be viewed as a “touchy-feely” phase. There’s no need to get tangled in a big pot for most or all of your chips because the blinds are relatively low to your starting stack. There’s always the exception to the rule if you’ve found a weak player who you know you can exploit but for the most part, take this time to feel out the table and play small pot poker. Bluff’s here aren’t recommended because again, there’s no need to risk chips here and at the lower levels it’s tough to bluff a weaker player who just flopped second pair.

Poker Strategy for the middle levels of a 6 handed SNG

Considering the typical 6 handed SNG lasts only 8-10 levels, the middle levels are essentially 4-6. This is where you must begin opening up your starting hand requirements more and using position take down blinds and small pots. Assuming that at least one player has been eliminated at this point you’re seeing the button and the blinds at a fairly rapid click. Playing position (IE, the button) to steal blinds becomes paramount to being able to place and cash at this point.

Another powerful move from this point on is the check-raise. Being short handed you will find yourself heads-up on many hands. This move will very often get respect when short-handed provided you use it sparingly (unless you just go on a monster run). Even a bluff check-raise is a wise move at this point, particularly if your opponent is aggressive. If your bluff check-raise gets re-popped then you will very likely want to lay your hand down and pick a better spot.

Poker Strategy for the final levels of 6 handed SNG play

As you reach 3-4 handed play and the money bubble approaches (most 6 handed SNG’s pay out only two spots), it’s time to step up your game. In this example we’ll assume you’re an average stack and no one is a big chip leader. You can almost bet that at least one player remaining is here to ride it out and hope that he coasts to the money. Target him for the most aggression and adopt an appropriate style for the remaining player. You’re now combining the strategies we discussed earlier and adding more intensity to each move.

Table Position, Aggression and Firing at Pots

You’re using position to take down small pots and you’ve pulled off a few bluffs. Now let’s look at flop play when you’re able to isolate and go heads up. Assuming that you and your opponent have any two random cards the flop will be missed many times. It’s often a contest of who has the moxie to bet the flop with the aggressor most often taking it down.

Poker Strategy Summary

If you’ve mixed up your game and made a few good reads your chip stack should be healthy enough at this point to cash in this one. Again, take shots at the weaker stacks and make them push all of their chips pre-flop. Steer clear of anyone capable of taking your whole stack or who can mortally wound your stack unless you have a big hand pre or post flop. Patterns will develop here and as you play more of these SNG’s with the same players you will see who tries to ride it out and who tries to go out in a blaze of glory. Adjust your game accordingly and you can enjoy long-term success playing these short-handed SNG’s.

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