Sit and Go Strategy Question

Sit and Go Strategy Question: Man I have been playing plenty of SNG's where I playing very very very tight. I have realized I am finishing close to the money, but not in the money enough. Also, if I do make the money by playing TAG, then its usually 3rd.

I am not sure how to incorporate some LAG in to my game and at what stage I should do it. Should I be stealing blinds more, or shoving it in from a good position?

Sit an Go Strategy Answer:There are many ways to look at it and just as many ways to address it. The common "mistake" I see amongst tight players is they have ONE GEAR and that is TIGHT!

You can sit and wait for cards AND you should play a solid tight game. But not so much to the exclusion of all other "gears" and poker plays. The "Tight" player almost always plays his cards and that is it. Some include a few positional plays.

Overall I believe tight to be a good BASE strategy and to add on to it so you can pull different weapons out of your arsenal during the war to win some battles you might have lost usually. In other words a well placed bet on the turn or firing a 3rd bullet might yield a pot you would have lost if you just checked. Raising from the SB with crap weak draw when it's folded to the button who limps in and you end up stealing the bb and the button raise. Calling a button raise with suited K or Q or better from the SB and then 3/4 pot betting the flop to take it via a stop and go play.

Watch for them in orange M and use a move to steal from opponents. At least the ones you have watched and know that THEY know how to fold.

Be willing to lose the game in 5th slot going all in to take a big pot trying to force a fold if you think you are ahead even if it's nothing but Ace high or 2nd pair. If you have been watching your opponent, you should know when they have or don't have a hand and if they do, what their range is based on how they are playing this one hand. If he calls and your read is right, he was on the draw and he don't MAKE the draw, you will double up, bust him out maybe and be on the bubble with a nice stack. THEN rock up but be ready to attack if you sense weakness.

Watch for the min raise from tight player. I keep seeing AA when they play me and they are hoping my aggression will pay them. Sometimes it does but for the most part, my aggression is selective and unless I have AQ+ I seldom get in there to a min raise against these players.

On the bubble you want to be VERY tight and fold things you usually play. As in with 5 players I may make an aggressive play with AJo, but will fold it to aggression on the bubble.

Once ITM, screw being tight if you are short, it's all in or fold. No sense in trying to be safe to "play for second". When you are the aggressor open your range, when calling, tighten the range, shove more as a reraise steal.

These are just a few ideas and it is geared for STT only and the BR builder. If you already have the BR and don't need to be "safe" some players begin the ITM style on the bubble and the bubble for 5 left and the 5 left strat for 6 players.

Develop gears and change up to play the player. Choose your hands for your position AND the player AND the situation in the game and make your move accordingly. For examply you should have a way you play AJo early, AJo late, (seats) AJo early in game, AJo prebbubble and AJo ITM. Be able to change what you do.

Hope this helps get the thought processes going on things you can try.

Disclaimer: None of these "moves" are to be used as an excuse to play bad. Be smart, be selective and choose the right spots and hands for the right players and situations.

ADD: There aren`t any hard and fast poker rules, but these are excellent strategy suggestions that can be implemented in your game with time and experience.