Sit & Go: In the Money & Heads-Up Play

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Thought this might be of interest to some.......was to me.

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General guidelines for when you make the money
Play for first, settle for third
This is a good rule of thumb to remember, as the jump in prize money from 2nd to 1st is usually greater than the jump from 3rd to 2nd. Therefore you have far more justification to take chances by pushing all-in, raising and calling light. The chips you gain by playing with a hyper-aggressive style can help you dominate the later stages of a final table and win the tournament.

Don't relax
Avoid falling in to the trap of sitting back and relaxing when you make the money spots. If there are three players left for example, there is still lots to play for and prize jumps. Take note of how many players remain, and their stack size compared to the blinds. Wait two or three hands before pushing with marginal hands, as many players tend to loosen up considerably as soon as the money bubble bursts. But after that you should start playing aggressive to try and win.

Concentrate on stack sizes when in the money
As mentioned above, stack size is vital when there are three players left in a Sit & Go tournament.

Big Stack
If you have the biggest stack, you should use this to your advantage by applying as much pressure as you can with raises and reraises. In most cases you'll find that your opponents will surrender and fold. If they do fight back, especially if its a player with a medium stack, you should be cautious as they are likely to have a hand.

Medium Stack
When you have a medium stack, avoiding confrontations with the big stack is tough, as the blinds are so high you'll often find yourself pot committed. You should therefore be selective with your hands, and instead focus on bullying the short stack, especially if they have been playing very tight. If there is a huge gap between the big stack and short stack however, you may want to sit back and wait for the short stack to bust.

Short Stack
If you are the short stack, you should try and play aggressive in the hope of doubling up and getting back into contention. Avoid tussles with the big stack, but feel free to raise and fight back when up against the medium stack.