Sit & Go (SNG) tournaments start when enough players register (no scheduled time). They're typically single-table events with quick blind increases and a fixed payout structure.
SNG = Register, fill the seats, play immediately
| Feature |
Description |
| Players |
Usually 6, 9, or 10 |
| Tables |
Usually single table |
| Duration |
30-60 minutes |
| Start time |
When seats fill |
| Payouts |
Top 3 (in 9-person SNG) |
| Position |
Payout |
| 1st |
50% |
| 2nd |
30% |
| 3rd |
20% |
| 4th-9th |
0% |
| Position |
Payout |
| 1st |
65% |
| 2nd |
35% |
| 3rd-6th |
0% |
| Strategy |
Why |
| Play tight |
Let others bust |
| Avoid marginal spots |
No need to gamble |
| Build image |
Set up later moves |
| Strategy |
Why |
| Selective aggression |
Steal blinds |
| Watch stack sizes |
Target weak stacks |
| Prepare for bubble |
Position yourself |
| Your Stack |
Strategy |
| Big stack |
Attack medium stacks |
| Medium |
Avoid big stack, attack shorts |
| Short |
Shove or survive |
| Strategy |
Why |
| More aggressive |
Already cashed |
| Attack short stacks |
Pressure for 1st |
| ICM still matters |
Pay jumps significant |
| Skill |
Importance |
| Push/fold charts |
Critical for short stacks |
| ICM knowledge |
Essential for bubble play |
| Heads-up play |
Needed for 1st place |
| Patience |
Let others make mistakes |
| Type |
Description |
| Regular |
Standard structure |
| Turbo |
Faster blinds |
| Hyper-Turbo |
Very fast, mostly push/fold |
| Double-or-Nothing |
Top half doubles, rest loses |
| Spin & Go |
Random prize pool multiplier |
SNGs reward patience and ICM awareness. Play tight early, get aggressive on the bubble, and master short-stack play. The payout structure means surviving to 3rd is often more important than going for 1st.