Many online poker sites offer sit-n-Go tournaments, which are self-contained tables. SnGs typically start as full 9 or 10 player tables, with payouts structured at 50 percent of the prize pool for first place, 30 percent for second, and 20 percent for the third place finisher.

When playing SnGs, your goal is first to make it to the money, then to win it all. You must pick the right spots to put your few precious starting chips at risk. When the blinds are still small in the first three levels, you can attempt to see cheap flops from late positions when holding marginal hands like small and medium pairs and suited connectors. Only play these when the pot is not raised ahead of you.

Without absolute premium cards, you should always fold when a raise comes out and let your poker online opponents eliminate each other. Folding is part of the strategy for making it to the money.

Once the blinds go beyond the fourth level and starting escalating into higher amounts, you are going to have to be more aggressive about trying to steal pots. You have to build your chip stack to keep pace with the blinds. When the SnG gets down to just four or five players, the tendency is for everyone to tighten up to make it to the money. This is when you can attack the blinds and attempt steals.

When the bubble breaks and you’re in the money, your goal is to finish first. Fold when there is likelihood that one of the other player’s will knock off the third online poker opponent, advancing you to heads-up. When heads-up, don’t limp in but instead raise with any premium cards.