A single table sit and go tournament is relatively easy to play as you can just sit for a while and let the other players bust each other out of the tournament or until you get a monster starting hand and you are able to get a pot to win. The secret is to at least make the final three as that is where the tournament money is split up among the players. 50% usually goes to first and 30% to second and the balance of the prize money to third place. You only have to see seven players leave and you are in the money. The low fee games are not as hard to place in as the higher fee games like $50 dollars and up. The higher fee games attract players who usually know how to play pretty well and are not still on the stiff learning curve of tournament play.
Early on most players that are trying for the money will play fairly tight and not play very many small % starting hands. Players who like to bluff will try out their skills early in order to build up their stack, in hopes of lasting till the final three. Others will over play a small pair and get burned when the player calling them makes a bigger pair. However a small pair when there are only two players left in the hand is a toss up. It comes down to who is lucky with the Flop. Queens, kings and aces should be played strongly as the player who has a smaller pair may call or they may have a drawing hand that they will need to make to beat you. In any event unless they have a pair bigger than yours, you do have an edge before the Flop.
As in other poker games, do not let a bad beat ruin your play. Bad beats can be overcome in the long run by playing better and smarter. Players who depend on luck to win are at a real disadvantage to a good player. Unless their luck bails them out, the better player should win the day against such a player. Play the good starting hands and you will be much more likely to make the final three.
If you can get to the last five players with a good stack, sometimes if you just wait for really good hands to play, you will make the final three by attrition. Letting aggressive players kill one another off is part of good tournament play. Knowing when to play tight and when to play with a loose style is part of being a good tournament player. Changing gears during the play can also throw off the other players and they will be in somewhat of a quandary as to what to do with your bets if you are going from tight to loose or the other way. Players, who have a doubt, are hard pressed to call significant raises. If you are unreadable, they have to guess what you are doing.
Sit and go tournaments can also be used as a satellite for a much bigger tournament and these are worth winning as you get to play for a much bigger pot. Look at the situation and decide for yourself as to what is in your best interest.
If you can win a $10 tournament and gain a seat in a $200 tournament that is a very good parlay of your money and now you have the chance to get a very good return on your bets.
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