SNG Strategy

I wanted to talk about a few really common plays I see made in SNG's on Stars (especially at the $20-$30 level). These plays are made by players who are otherwise probably fine players but they are making too predictable of plays at a crucial time in the tournament. I think the key to making money is avoiding these pitfalls.

#1: I am a HUGE advocate of stealing blinds, especially from medium sized stacks who are less likely to defend. That being said, when a player has less than 5 BB's it is absolute suicide to try to steal his blinds with rags. Even if you only raise the minimum, you are priced in to call with any 2 cards when (not if) he pushes all in. Now you are an underdog and more times than not you double up a shortstack. This is the most common mistake I see people making shorthanded.

#2: Medium stacks are far too willing to give up their blinds with no defense. You can't simply "wait out" the short stack. Let's say this strategy does work and you make it into the money--now I've stolen hundreds, if not thousands, of chips from you in blind steals and you are desperately shortstacked. If you give me a chip lead short handed I am coming after you full force. What is the best defense? It is a bold but effective strategy of the "re-steal". When someone raises my big blind on the button I will reraise all in (even if it is a huge overbet) with the following hands: any pair, any suited connectors, and any 2 cards that would add up to 19 or higher in blackjack. This play is the best play in my repitoire right now. 99% of the time you take down the pot, 1% of the time you play a hand with a decent chance of making a huge double up, and 100% of the time that person quits stealing your blinds! You only have to make this play once or twice and they'll get the message. This play requires you to risk going broke, but again, the difference between 1st and 3rd is bigger than 4th and 3rd. If you aren't afraid to bubble you'll win a lot more SNG's. Another benefit of this play is that you know the next time they raise your blinds they have a monster hand or monster balls. Either way, it is much easier to fold a medium range hand.

#3: The Ax overplay. The Ace is the highest card in the deck--we all know that. I still cannot fathom why so many people are willing to go broke with Ace/rag on the bubble. If someone raises I cannot understand playing A9 for all my chips--what hand are you a huge favorite on? Sure, if they have KQ you are a slight favorite, but why not wait for a better spot? These hands are good for shortstacked play or the re-steal (see #2), but they aren't worthy of playing for a call or reraise all in unless you suspect a steal. If you have 12+ BB's you aren't desperate and can easily fold until you get a pair or AK, AQ to make your play.

Good luck at the tables.