How to Play Sit & Go Tournaments (SNGs)

SNGs typically have 2 to 10 players. Common formats are single-table (9 or 10 players) and heads-up (2 players).

A standard 52-card deck is used.

Each player begins with an equal number of chips.

• Blinds: Small blind and big blind are posted as in other poker games.
• Antes: Some SNGs may introduce antes as the game progresses.
• Blind Levels: Blinds and antes increase at regular intervals, called levels.

Betting rounds follow the same structure as in No Limit Texas Hold’em or Pot Limit Omaha, depending on the tournament format.

• Pre-Flop: Players bet based on their hole cards.
• Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up. Players bet.
• Turn: A fourth community card is dealt face up. Players bet.
• River: A fifth community card is dealt face up. Players bet.
• Elimination: Players are eliminated when they lose all their chips. The game continues until one player has all the chips.

The top finishers receive a portion of the prize pool, typically the top 2-3 players in a single-table SNG.
Common payout structures for a 9-player SNG are 50% for 1st place, 30% for 2nd place, and 20% for 3rd place.

• Fold: Discard your hand and forfeit the round.
• Check: Pass the action to the next player without betting.
• Call: Match the current highest bet.
• Raise: Increase the bet.

• Early Stage: Focus on tight and aggressive play to preserve your chip stack while blinds are low. Avoid unnecessary risks.
• Middle Stage: As blinds increase, loosen up your play slightly. Be more aggressive to steal blinds and antes.
• Bubble Stage: This is the stage just before reaching the payout positions. Play more aggressively to take advantage of players who tighten up to avoid elimination.
• Late Stage: With fewer players remaining, play aggressively to accumulate chips and pressure your opponents.
• Heads-Up: When only two players remain, play becomes very aggressive. Adapt your strategy based on your opponent’s tendencies and stack sizes.

The goal is to accumulate chips and eliminate opponents to finish in a paying position. The ultimate objective is to be the last player standing and win the tournament.