Intro Page For A New Series Of In Depth Multi-Table Sit N Go Strategy Articles!
Sit and Go Tournaments come in many sizes. While there are plenty of strategy articles covering the 1-table variety and the largest of these (The 180 Player Sit N Goes for example), the middle ground is not well covered. This is an introductory piece for a new series on 2-table to 5-Table Sit N Go Strategy Articles (so 18 to 45 players on most sites).
This article will look at some of the different forms of MTT SNGs available and the key differences between them. It will also address the key question of whether a ‘standard’ 1 table Sit N Go strategy shares any elements with the multi table variety. For a selection of the multi-table SNGs available at the top sites check out our Best Site For Multi-Table SNGs article.
What Multi Table Sit N Goes Are Available Online?
Firstly, what multi-table sit and go tournaments are available. Well the list is growing all the time as sites come up with new and innovative new structures. These start with 2-table 6-max SNGs (usually playing 3 or 4 places), the 2 table SNG games are common with 18 or 20 players – depending on the site these will usually pay 4 or 5 places. As we move up 3 table and 5 table SNGs are the next most popular with up to 8 paying spots.
Blinds vary between the games and sites from 15 minute levels through to 5 minute ‘turbos’ and even faster in some cases (such as the Titan ‘Super Turbo’ games). While Texas Holdem is the most popular by far there are other games available in this format too – including Omaha and Stud for example.
What Are The Key Multi-Table Sit N Go Strategy Considerations?
Let us start with a question…
Would the 1-table Sit N Go strategy of playing tight and solid poker early then pushing all-in late work in a multi-table SNG?
There are 2 main issues with this – firstly the tables are going to be full more of the time, especially in the larger of these games. While pushing <10 big blinds with 4 or 5 players at the bubble works well, pushing into a full table carries a significantly greater risk of being called (and correctly so if you are pushing a wide range).
Secondly, our opponents are more likely to be playing a post-flop game from an early stage. There is a need to accumulate chips in a multi-table SNG that is not necessary in the earliest stages of a 1-table tournament. Missing opportunities to do this by playing too tight could prove very costly.
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When considering strategy for a 3 or 5 table sit and go we need to look ahead to the final stages. By the time the bubble is reached the blinds are likely to be very big indeed compared to the stack size. One or two players will usually get an early double up with a premium hand and go on to accumulate a big stack by pressuring opponents throughout the tourney. This adds pressure to also accumulate chips – at the end of the day you did not enter a 2 hour long tournament to scrape into the lowest paying spot, staying ‘viable’ to win the tournament is also a key strategy consideration.
To summarize the basic strategy considerations – we need to strike a balance between the need to accumulate chips and survival. If the two aims contradict each other then chip accumulation must become the priority.
Multi-Table Sit N Goes - Is ICM Appropriate For Multi-Table SNG Play?
Yes, the jumps between the paying places can be used to calculate (or at least estimate) our prize pool equity in dollars and use this to assist with decision making. As the number of paying places increases so do the complexity of the ICM calculations - which double for each place added! However a sound understanding of ICM will allow us to closely estimate when a call or push has a positive expectation. Read our Introduction to ICM for SNGs article for more information on this subject.
Over the coming weeks we strategy articles for multi-table SNGs covering the specifics of 2, 3 and 5 table SNG games as well as adjustments for the turbo varieties will appear here at SNG Planet – make sure you come back soon!
In the meantime why not check out our comprehensive review of the Best Sites For Multi-Table SNGs.