Texas Holdem Poker

Yesterday we discussed the details of SNG’s and the profits that we can hope to achieve through this form of poker. Now that we have information and an overview of this form of poker, let’s dissect how we can achieve these profits and victories in SNG’s.

There are three very distinct stages of SNG’s; Which will be referred to as Early, Middle and End. Easy enough right? Let’s take a detailed look at each stage, as well as our strategy throughout.

EARLY STAGE

In most SNG’s, players start with 1,500, and the blinds start at 5/10 or 10/20. The blind levels normally increase every 10 minutes. Assuming we are playing at a normal/fast online pace of about 120 hands per hour, at the end of an hour the blinds will be at 75/150 and we will have played about 20 hands at each blind level. This is a very fast pace, compared to almost every live tournament and if we are not careful, we will cripple ourselves before we pick up a premium hand.

For my strategy, I refer to the early stage as any point in the tournament where my stack is +15 Big Blinds. This means I could be utilizing my Early Stage strategy as deep as level 9, if my stack allows me too.

My approach to the Early Stage is tight and very aggressive. One of my strengths as a player is reading situations well and this is critical in the early stage. If I believe my opponent to be very weak or strong, I will veer from my strategy but for the most part I follow my plan closely.

My overall goal is to double up in the early stage of these tournaments, but if I can’t do that I want to protect my chips, as they are going to be VERY valuable in the next stage. In every SNG, there are one or two players that are splashing chips around aggressively trying to bully the table. I am hoping I pick up a hand with ‘potential’ and isolate them to double up through.

As far as actual hand selection, from Early position I am rarely opening or open calling. Unless I pick up a premium hand, AK, AA-JJ, I am not looking to play from this position. I will sometimes, I will say it again sometimes, fold hands as strong as AQ or TT from this position. In the early stages, the bullies are simply going to be making it too expensive for me to play these hands out of position.

As I move into middle position and late position on the table, my range will open up significantly. If I think I can take a cheap flop, then I am trying my luck with any hand I consider to have ‘potential.’ These are suited connectors, 56s+, Ax suited+, 55+, and sometimes the lower pocket pairs. However, I can’t emphasize enough that I will only play these hands if I believe the situation will allow me to get in cheaply and perhaps double up. Don’t misconstrue this advice and begin calling raises with 56 suited in late position trying to double up. Our strategy in the early stages is to protect our chips and only take a cheap chance with our ‘potential’ hands.

So how do we proceed if we pick up a premium hand? We attack! I do not suggest slowplaying any premium hand at this stage, unless you are nearly positive that someone is going to open pre-flop and you feel comfortable re-raising them. When raising, I suggest opening anywhere from 3 to 6 times the Big Blind. We do not want marginal hands getting a cheap look and knocking us out in the early stages. The aggressive players will still call these raises and may even think you are making a bluff raise and re-raise you.

At any stage in SNG’s, don’t bother worrying about if your QQ is up against KK, you simply are not going to receive enough premium hands, nor do you have enough time to accumulate chips to justify this concern. When you get the hand you have been waiting for attack and protect your hand. If your AK gets sucked out on versus AQ, that’s poker. You can’t afford to play scared when you have a premium hand.

Quick recap of our Early Stage strategy: If you are in position and have a cheap opportunity to get in with a ‘potential’ hand, then we are looking to hit the flop hard and double up. If you hit bottom or middle pair with your connectors and no draws, just get rid of it. Also, don’t commit your tournament at this stage to a bad draw.

When you finally pick up our premium hands, play them aggressively raising 3 to 6 times the BB. Protect your hands at all times, if you get re-raised with QQ, unless he’s a rock and you KNOW he has you beat, get your money in as the favorite!

Now, you have made it through the first stage after doubling up once through the maniac to your right with KK. The blinds are now playing a massive role in the game and our stack has dipped below the 15 BB to stack ratio. We are getting pressure from the remaining 5 players and our tight, aggressive approach is no longer working. What’s our answer? How do we change gears? Make sure to come back for tomorrow’s blog, where I will detail our transition into the middle stage of the SNG tournament.