Tip #17: Introduction to Tier 1 and Tier 2 SNGs

Tier 1 and Tier 2 SNGs are a special type of tournament that works like a satellite, introduced by Full Tilt Poker. The idea is similar to double or nothing SNGs, with an extended prize-pool distribution. In the case of the tiers SNGs, there are 18 players per tournaments, and 6 of them are paid: the first five with a tournament token, and the sixth with a little less in money.

The tournaments have a fast structure, with blinds changing in 6 minutes for the regular ones, and 3 minutes for turbo ones.

Tier 1: 18 players, $8.8 buy-in, prize = $26 token for top 5, $14 to sixth place

Tier 2: 18 players, $26 buy-in, prize = $75 token to top 5, $57 to sixth place

For this introductory article, we will finish with some tips to play these tier tournaments on Full Tilt:

• Play tight aggressive – although the blinds go up fast, this game is not about finishing in first place, but finishing ITM! Save your chips!
• Avoid the chip leaders – why bluff against the ones that can eliminate you? Be careful with them.
• Find out who are the tight players – find out who are the ones not playing any hand. Pressure them, steal from them. But if they enter the pot hard, be careful.
• Exploit the bad players – if some player is playing a lot of pots, limping too much, he is probably a bad player in this format. Use it to your advantage. These players will usually play a loose-calling game, be sure to extract value when you have hands, and avoid bluffing them.
• Know when to change the pace – if you find yourself shortstacked, play the “all-in” game. No need to get fancy, unless it is bubble time.
• Understand the bubble play – you have to be careful when the bubble approaches. If you have average chips, simply don’t play. It may be right to fold AA pre-flop.