Multi Table SNG Strategy and Advice

As the name suggests, multi-table SNGs are sit-and-go tournaments that have more than one table. There are usually between two and five tables in these tournaments, with between 18 and 45 players battling it out for the top prizes. Multi-table sit-and-gos combine the spontaneous aspect of sit-and-gos with the multiple table aspect of traditional tournaments to create a tournament that lies somewhere in the middle.

It's harder to make the money in MTT SNGs but the prizes are more rewarding. A first place finish in a $10 45 man SNG will earn you $171 instead of just $45. A 45 man MTT SNG will also pay down to sixth place instead of just third place.

The best strategy for MTT SNGs more closely resembles that of traditional MTTs than it does single table SNGs. You'll have to stick around longer, build a bigger stack and deal with seat changes as the tournament progresses.

Early Stage Play

The early stages of a MTT SNG play similar to those of a single table SNG. You will want to play tight, conserve chips and look for opportunities to double up. Just because the blinds are small doesn't make this the time to play speculative hands and hope to get lucky. The winning strategy here is to look for premium hands and try to get as much money as possible in the middle before the flop.

If there are several other players in the pot ahead of you and you're in late position, you can play other hands that have strong potential but need help from the flop. Hands like small pocket pairs and large suited connectors like TJs become playable from late position. But keep in mind that you're only looking for a perfect flop to get involved. If you have TJs and the flop gives you a pair, don't get too attached to it.

Middle Stage Play

The proper strategy for middle stage play largely depends on the size of your stack compared to the blinds. If you're short on chips, you're going to have to get busy building that stack because the blinds are only going to get bigger. With a medium stack you're in a better position but you still need to keep an eye out for opportunities and steal the blinds whenever you can. After only one or two increases in the blinds, a medium stack can quickly turn into a short stack.

If you find yourself sitting on a big stack during the middle stages, you're in a great position but you still need to work on increasing your chip count. Remember, this isn't a single table SNG. You're eventually going to have to get every chip in play so you might as well get a lead on everyone else. As the big stack you can push the medium-sized stacks around because they aren't as antsy as the small stacks to get their chips in the middle.

Late Stage Play

As the tournament progresses to the late stage, you're going to see a combination of desperate players going all-in with crazy holdings and medium-stacked players playing super tight, trying to make it to the money. This is the best time for you to open up your game and start stealing the blinds. By now the blinds are big enough to steal and the medium stack players who are trying to make it to the money won't put up much of a fight.

During the late stages keep your eyes open for opportunities to steal from the medium stacks while avoiding the small stacks and big stacks. The small stacks are too desperate and willing to get it all-in for you to steal and the large stacks are more willing to take a chance and call your bluffs. Concentrate on the medium stacks and you'll soon have a formidable stack.

The closer the tournament gets to the final few players, the more you'll want to ramp up your aggression. The blinds will be getting so big by now that you're going to have to constantly steal them to stay afloat. Premium hands are always a welcome sight but you can't sit around and wait for them all day. If you pick your spots, steal the blinds and keep up the pressure, you'll be able to take home some very nice first place prizes.