A Clever Spell

Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments range from large multi-table poker events, such as the WSOP, to smaller contests limited to a single table, called a Sit-and-Go, or SnG for short. The strategies for playing SnGs differ from play at multi-table games where there are many more players and most likely larger starting chip stacks than the SnG format.

SnGs are self-contained, with just one table of players. The starting stacks are relatively small and the blinds intervals tend to be short too. With small starting stacks and fast blind intervals, even a small mistake can do a lot of damage during a SnG.

It is especially important to be patient and wait for a good hand early in the poker online tournament. Let other players winnow the field while you wait for a strong hand. Even though the blinds are small at the beginning, chasing marginal hands will quickly erode your stack. You must be selective about any hand you play, and be willing to fold if the flop does not connect with it.

In SnG tournaments, there is very little margin for error. You must choose your spots wisely, then aggressively play your hand. You will play fewer hands than in a larger multi-table poker online tournament, and must take appropriate action to build and maximize any pot you can win.