Poker Stars SNGs
A Complete Guide to Sit and Go Tournaments at Poker Stars

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About PokerStars Sit N Goes – And More Besides!

This article is a comprehensive guide to Sit n Go tournaments at Poker Stars. This is the third in a series that willlook at different factors that go into making an informed decision for thinking SNG players about which poker rooms are right for them.

Poker Stars is now the single largest online poker site – regularly having more than 100,000 players simultaneously. They are open for business to US players but have a player base encompassing the whole world. Many players see Poker Stars as the number one choice for SNGs.

5 Reasons to Play SNGs at Poker Stars

1. Traffic – It is not really a case of whether there is a SNG at your limit available at Stars, more a case of whether you are fast enough with your mouse to register before the table fills up! The huge number of players give Poker Stars a great volume of games at levels ranging from $1 to $1000’s.
   
   
2. Poker Bonuses and Promotions – The initial sign-up bonus of $50 with PokerStars marketing code FIRST2008 is far from headline-grabbing. Poker Stars instead differentiate themselves in two ways. Firstly their VIP club is very generous with a great selection of books, electronics and tournament entries available in exchange for accumulated points. Secondly their rake structure is less expensive than many of their rivals, especially for Turbo SNGs. This bonus is the equivalent to a 50% reduction in SNG fees – check our detailed comparison of the Best Sit N Go Bonus Information for more.
   
   
3. Software – The Poker Stars Software is slick, fast and much easier on your computers memory than many others. Multi-tabling is easy due to features such as resizable tables and the ability to remember your preferred table layout. You also get to upload a personal picture to display while playing.
   
   
4. Game Choice – This can be summarized in a single word – Huge! NL Holdem is of course the most popular game and is available at all limits and for game sizes from Heads-Up SNGs up to 180 player games. Other games include Pot Limit Omaha, Pot Limit Omaha High-Low, HORSE, Stud, Razz and even 2-7 Triple Draw SNGs are available. Some games feature Limit or Pot-Limit Betting Structures.
   
   
5. Satellites – Poker Stars have a large number of SNG Satellites available, both to their larger buy-in Multi-Table Tournaments and to qualifiers for events such as the EPT Events or the World Series of Poker. The buy-ins start at around $3 meaning every player has the chance of a big score.

Poker Stars Single Table SNG Tournament Overview

This section will look at the single table SNGs – full table (9-handed on Poker Stars) and 6-max SNGs. There are many buy-in levels to choose from divided into Micro ($1 to $3), Small ($5 to $16), Medium ($20 to $78) , High ($109 to $2300!!). The rakes are smaller for the Turbo games (for example $15+1 turbo and $20+2 regular) and smaller still for the Heads-Up SNGs. As with many sites the rakes get smaller as a percentage of the buy-in the higher the overall buy-in level.

Both Regular and Turbo SNGs are available. The regular Sit n Goes have 15 minute levels and the Turbo SNGs feature 5 minute levels. Both variations start with 1500 chips meaning there are 13,500 chips on the table at the start of the 9-handed games.

Blinds start off at 20/10 then 30/15, 50/25 and 100/50. The mid-game blind increases are shallower than many sites with a 150/75 level then 200/100 and 200/100 again with a 25 Ante before the higher 400/200 (Ante 50) level. The extra play in the mid-levels leave more room for skill advantages to show when compared to the steeper increases at other sites.

Many game types and betting variations are available including 2-7 Triple Draw, Stud SNGs (inc High-Low Split), Razz SNGs, Pot Limit Omaha SNGs (again including both Limit variations, Pot Limit and Omaha High-Low), HORSE (Mixed Game) SNGs are also available. As with most rooms the busiest games of all are the NL Holdem SNGs.

Poker Stars 1-Table SNG Tournament payout structures are 50%/ 30%/ 20% for full ring games and 65% / 35% for the 6-max games.

Poker Stars Multi-Table SNG Tournament Overview

Multi-Table SNGs are yet another way in which Poker Stars remain above the competition. The sheer number of options available and the speed at which these games fill up really do mean that there is something for everyone.

At the highest player number range are the Poker Stars 180 player SNGs, these are available for $4+40c, $10+1 and $20+2 and pay 18 places. These appear more like small Multi-Table tournaments than traditional SNGs. At peak times they fill up very quickly, often taking less than 20 minutes to start – double this for the less bust periods.

Other multi-table SNGs are for 18, 27, 45 and sometimes 63 players. The buy-in levels range from $1 up to $225. Regular and Turbo blind structures are both available as are a variety of different games and betting structures.

Poker Stars Satellite SNGs Overview

Satellites are available for a variety of games and at many different buy-ins, these are usually for qualification to the larger buy-in MTTs but also include WSOP and WPT qualifiers.

Double Shootout SNG Qualifiers are another feature of the Poker Stars Site. Strategy for these is covered separately in SNG Planet’s dedicated Satellites Section.

Heads-Up SNGs at Poker Stars

Heads-up sit and goes are available at a variety of buy-in levels from $5 upwards. Unlike many poker sites these include games other than NL Holdem. Omaha, Stud and Razz heads up matches being available with either fixed limit or pot-limit betting structures. Poker Stars also includes 4 player 2-table Heads-Up SNGs with the winner taking all. HU SNGs are good value on Poker Stars with the rake being smaller than for many other rooms.

Summary / Final thoughts on Poker Stars SNG Tournaments

Poker Stars is the Number 1 Online Poker Room for a good reason and SNG variety is no exception to this. Game selection, player numbers, software and a generous VIP club system make this the first choice for many players – we think it should be your first choice too!

Click on the banner below and find out why PokerStars are the internets No1 for yourself! Bonus Code = FIRST2008