Poker theory changes so fast you can never be sure that you are reading current theory. A poker book that was written in 2006 may have some good information in 2010, but alas not enough. This article will be good for anyone wanting to play Double or Nothing Sit and go poker tournaments in 2010, but possibly not if you come across it in 2013. Nevertheless, these general concepts will remain the same and you should be aware of them.
You will find DON poker tournaments in most online poker rooms. They are a uniquely structured tournament where the top five finishers win and double their money (less the rake) and the bottom five finishers, as the Weakest Link host Anne Robinson says, ‘they leave with nothing’. You must be able to cash in around 65% of these tournaments to show a good win rate over time and they are only profitable when multi-tabling as you must reduce the amount of time it takes to run out this marginal profit. This is why some players leave them alone, but others enjoy the low-risk nature of them and they are very beatable.
Grinder Alert!
Other poker players will be grinding these tournaments. You can spot who these may be in a number of ways. Grinders will fold around 95% or more of their hands in the opening two levels of play. It is easy therefore to make a note of the players who literally fold everything. After the opening two rounds you should be able to spot these players easily. A tool like Sharkscope is useful also, but bear in mind that in 2010 this tool must be opt-in and players can choose not to, therefore masking their profits and their ability.
Early Stages – First Two Levels
Watch out for the grinders and make a note. These are the players you will need to avoid later on as they play their hands optimally in this structure. You need to play like them and fold most of your hands. The key to the early stages is taking no risks to accumulate chips which are not worth the actual gains in tournament equity (ICM).
The early levels are about survival, but if you get a premium hand then play it strongly. If a couple of players are eliminated here then things are looking good for you.
Middle Stages – Third and Fourth Level
When the ante appears we have more reason to steal the blinds. Think position because this is important and you should still be relatively tight, although loosening off as the blinds get higher in relation to your stack. Rarely call raises unless you are holding AA or KK. Even AK is easily beaten and whether or not I play AK depends on your opponents previous hands.
If you play a hand you should be first into the pot when it is folded to you in position.
Endgame – Above 100/200
Hopefully we are down to six or seven players now. Almost immediately bubble play takes over. I have read many articles on DON strategy and they all advocate never calling all-in. All-in is a powerful way to maintain a stack but you need to be first into the pot to make this move. I would call all-in with AA, KK or QQ if I am honest, but others advocate an even tighter approach. With blinds high and plenty of folding and all-ins, it is only a matter of time before a confrontation that could end the tournament occurs.
The ability to quickly adjust throughout the tournaments is important to DON SNG success. Bubble play is also critical and if you are a good SNG player already with a good knowledge and appreciation of ICM (Independent Chip Modelling) theory then you are primed to do very well at these enjoyable poker tournaments.
By Malcolm Clarke
