SNG Satellites – Your Guide to 1-Table Online Satellite Qualifier Strategy
Having Just 1 Prize In A SNG Tournament Drastically Affects Your Strategy – Find Out How To Profitably Adjust
Most online poker sites offer Sit N Go Satellites, often awarding seats to their larger buy-in Multi Table tournaments as prizes. These have a range of buy-in prices and usually have just the single paid place. This article will cover your approach to SNG Poker Satellites and looks at how late game strategy differs from a standard SNG to make your satellite experiences more profitable.
The first thing to note is a small paradox. Your opposition in these events are less likely to understand ‘good’ Sit N Go strategy… the paradox is that this may sometimes actually benefit them!
Let me explain, while sound SNG play involves staying tight early to maintain your Fold Equity (ability to get opponents to fold) for the bubble, single table satellite structure actually means you are in more danger if you get ‘left behind’ chip-wise for the late game.
Pushing all-in late in a normal SNG relies on the fact that prize pool equity is bigger than chip equity – meaning you need a far better hand to call than to push - see our introduction to Poker ICM for more on this area. In a Sit N Go Satellite paying one place chip equity is equal to dollar equity… meaning that as long as you feel you have an edge vs your opponents pushing range then a call is profitable. This in turn means that your opponents seemingly ‘bad’ calls are often correct, mathematically speaking.
Having said that the gap concept (needing a better hand to call a raise than to open raise with) still holds true. The key to single table satellites is to assess your opponents and work out who shows no fear and who will not commit all of their chips in case they bust out early.
The adjustments can be summarized as the following.
Poker Satellite SNG Strategy - The Early Levels:
Suited connectors, small pairs and suited aces become more playable than in a normal SNG… the need to accumulate chips becomes more important than maintaining Fold Equity. Implied odds are higher due to the fact that, on average, your opponents will be less skilled than in the equivalent SNG - meaning you'll often be able to win a big pot when you do hit your hand.
Use the early levels to watch opponents closely, who overplays ace-rag? Who will go to showdown with weak holdings? and who will fold after opening a pot?
Poker Satellite SNG Strategy - The Middle Levels:
Start raising and re-raising weak players here (especially those who have shown that they are able to fold). You need to maintain the chip accumulating strategy. Having said that make sure you do not pot-commit yourself against weak players by raising too big a portion of your stack without solid values.
Open pushing can be effective with stacks of less than 10 Big Blinds – be aware of opponents stack sizes here (very small or very large stacks in particular are more likey to call you). Use the reads gained from the early game – people who over-play ace-rag are more likely to call your push with this type of holding!
Poker Satellite SNG Strategy - The Late Game / Bubble:
We already mentioned that chip equity and prize pool equity are equal when only one spot is paid. This simplifies the calculations for profitable all-in pushes in the late game. Give your opponent a range (for example 20%), count the blinds and winning chances if called then push all-in if you have a positive expectation!
For example you have KQ and an opponent who will call with 20%, the blinds total 600. If you push then you win 600 80% of the time and have approximately 50% against your opponents calling range. The numbers for 100 attempts assuming 3000 chip stacks after posting look like this.
80 Times you win 600 chips = 48000
10 Times you win 3600 chips = 36000
10 Times you lose 3000 chips. = (30000)
(48000+36000-30000)/100 = 5400 chips
You have a large positive expectation against this opponent. Remember that calling ranges are lighter than in standard SNG tournaments. If we were dealing with a standard SNG bubble your opponent would need 70% vs your range to call – here he only needs to be slightly ahead to make a call profitable.
Many Poker Rooms offer Single Table SNG Satellites, you will find information on specific events (both live and online) that you can qualifiy for in our dedicated Poker Satellites section - or why not try out some of the recommended rooms below for a chance at qualifying for tournaments with truly life-changing prizes!.
Our Recommendation For Satellite Qualifiers - For All Players 
 Full Tilt Poker – Full Tilt use a ‘Tournament Token’ Scheme for qualification into their higher by in MTTs.
The huge number of Satellites available make this a great choice to qualify for both live and online events. Use Referral Code SNGPLANET to claim your 100% bonus (up to $600) when you check out the 'Home of the Pros' Full Tilt Poker today!
For Non-US Players
 Titan Poker – With a reputation for some of the weakest opposition on the net Titan have a good range of Satellites into their larger nightly MTTs and into special events (EPT qualifiers and their own ECOOP Championship for example). In addition to the fishy opponents you can claim a 100% up to $500 sign-up bonus + $20 in free cash (auto credited within 48 hours) with bonus code SNGPLANET. Find out for yourself what gives Titan Poker the reputation for having the best poker satellites online!
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Best World Series Satellite Qualifiers Online
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