|
Today I'll outline a basic, relatively tight, No-Limit Hold'em single-table sit-and-go (SnG) strategy that should allow beginners
to have a shot at making money every time they play. This strategy is
ideal for those playing $5 SnG's and below. First off, I recommend that
you play SnG's that have a "slow" structure - that is, one where the
blinds advance gradually. Faster structures tend to favor luck over skill,
and you really don't want to have to move all-in every other hand on the
third level. Next, it's very important to keep track of where the big
stacks are at all times - they have the ability to knock you out at any
time, so you have to be aware of them. Don't be afraid of them, but
recognize their inherent power. Third, make as many notes as possible on
your opponents. If you notice a player raising every time he's on the
button, or folding to a big raise whenever he limps in, you should take
note. Most of the time this is really the only information you'll have to
go on. On all but the smallest sites you will rarely see the same opponent
twice, and your notes could end up making the difference between finishing
in the money or going out on the bubble. Finally, make every preflop raise
exactly the same - don't let the size of your raises give away the
strength of your hand. A standard raise of three big blinds should do the
trick.
In the first two levels or so of a SnG, the safest
route to take is to play tight and fold all but your most premium hands -
AA, KK, QQ and AK. If you're holding one of these hands and someone raises
you, reraise. Avoid playing trouble hands like AQ and KJ, as you'll often
be dominated and lose your whole stack on what looks like a favorable
flop. If you have the opportunity to play suited connectors or
medium-to-small pairs with good odds in late position, you can take
advantage and try to hit a monster flop - but if you miss the flop or meet
heavy resistance when you bet out, you're through with these hands. Avoid
lower suited aces and all suited kings except KQ in all situations except
those when you have position and extremely favorable pot odds, and even
then be prepared to muck your hand if an ace or king hits the board and a
pre-flop raiser bets out. While you're folding your hands, don't get
distracted - pay close attention to your opponents and try to pick out
their tendencies. By level three or four you should have only 6 or 7
opponents remaining - sometimes even less - and you should also have a
good read on at least two or three of the guys who are left. Anyone who
hasn't played more than one or two hands right now is very tight - be
careful when they get involved in a hand.
If you haven't been able to build a stack yet, you need
to begin looking for opportunities to get aggressive. Luckily for you,
most people will begin to tighten up as the blinds begin to advance. This
is your chance to make a few steals when you have position and you are
first to act - aces with an eight kicker or better and kings or queens
with a ten kicker or better are good enough to give you a playable hand in
position should you get reraised. Medium pairs - eights or better - are
usually good enough to play in any position at this point, and worth
moving all-in with if a loose-aggressive player comes over the top of your
raise. Don't be afraid to take risks when the rewards are worth it - you
don't have much time to build your stack, so you have to make the most of
every opportunity.
If you do have a decent stack after the first few
levels, you still can't afford to sit back. In addition to the hands you
would have played in the earlier levels, you can begin to open the betting
with lesser high card hands (AQ, AJ, KQ, QJ). You can also play your
suited connectors more aggressively. Semi-bluffs - bets that represent the
best hand when you're still drawing - can often buy pots for you against
weak opponents with shorter stacks, even when they show strength.
Weak-tight players don't like to take risks if their tournament is on the
line, and you can take advantage of this tendency. Trust the reads you
have on these opponents when deciding whether to make these kinds of bets.
Once you reach the fifth or sixth level, the blinds
will be high relative to everyone's stack and the kinds of moves you make
will depend on how you sit in relation to your opponents. Your main goal
here is to make the money, so play smart. If the big stack wants to play
every hand, sit back and let him either knock out the bubble boy or lose a
significant portion of his stack. If your opponents are overly tight,
widen your range of raising hands and pick up as many chips as you can. If
everyone is aggressive and you pick up a monster pair, be more willing to
slowplay it. The key here is to make the most of your opponents'
tendencies so you can maximize your chance of a payday, and the best way
to do that is to play the opposite style from what they play.
This strategy should give you a good chance at making
the money as you begin playing SnG's, allowing you to build a bankroll
that will allow you to continue playing without depositing more money. As
you play more, you'll find that these general guidelines don't always
apply. Don't be afraid to branch out and try different strategies based on
your own experiences. That's part of learning the game - and a rewarding
one at that.
|
