The Heat Is On – Middle Game Strategies for Sit and Go Poker

In chess, the middle game is the part of the game where the players struggle for control of the board using the pieces they had earlier developed in the opening. In a sense, a similar thing happens during Sit and Go (SnG) poker when the middle portion of the game comes up – this is when the pressure cooker is switched on and things start heating up. The previously low blinds have gotten higher now, and there is a stronger need for players to build up their stack of chips for the final stage of the game.

Mind Games Galore

In spite of the pressure, the middle game for SnG can also be a very interesting time as this is when the players start playing more mind games with each other.

Your objective in this part of the game is to make intelligent bluffs. If you’ve been paying close attention to your opponents since the early part of the game, you’ll probably have a good idea of which player you can bluff at this point. In general, avoid bluffing when the stacks in question are either large or short as you’ll probably invite more calls for stacks like those.

Apply constant pressure on the more passive players. The idea is to “train” them to respond in the way you want them to through bets, checks and folds.

Following Through

Continuation bets have a bigger role to play in the middle part of the SnG game than in the early game. Since you’d likely been playing conservatively early on, shift your gears and start building up your stack of chips.

This time, pot size bets are the way to go. Only check or fold if your bet is called and wait until your hand improves. Depending on which opponent is in the hand with you, adjust and play your hand accordingly.

The Art of Deceptive Play

While aggression is dominant in the middle game, it may sometimes pay to slow play a certain hand when the time is right. For example, try flat calling players to lull them into a fall sense of security.

Finally, free yourself from your fears and go all in on the preflop. This is the time for doing so. Remember, if you can at least get an average or so stack in this part of the game, you should do well in the latter part of SnG.