Single Table Sit'n Go Strategy (Part II)

See also Single Table Sit'n Go Strategy (Part I)

In the middle of the game.
The middle stage of the game comprises of the 4th-6th blind stages. When the game reaches this stage, about 6-7 players are left at the table. The number may vary, as some games go on for a long time.
This is the most crucial stage of the game. Blinds put a lot of pressure on the players. You will have to get aggressive at this stage, if you wish to build a substantial amount of stack for the later part of the game.

Building a sizeable stack.
One of the guaranteed ways to build a sizeable stack is to bluff intelligently. A keen player will have already scanned each player in the early stage of the game to conclude whom to avoid and whom to trap.
Suppose you possess 89 of clubs in the big blind. You have folded to the small blind. Now, your wit will tell you that this player is an amateur and, in the early stage, had folded on the flop to bets. The flop is 6-10-3 with one club. If this player checks, you should bet. Since this player is a passive one, there is every chance that he or she will fold. If he or she does not, you still possess a gut shot draw and a backdoor flush draw.
Suppose that the player calls your bet. The turn gives a Q, not a club, and he or she checks one more time. When the player does that, you have two choices: either place him or her on a straight draw, or put a low pair. He or she is a passive 
player, so, you should have no problem betting out again. The passive player will likely fold with a pot size bet. If he or she calls your bet, you will have to lend him or her credit for a hand. Also, it is wise to check/told the river, if you don't improve your game.

Making a continuation bet.
Here is another smart strategy: make a continuation bet. (This is unlike the example of the early stage game, where you could check or fold AK during a had flop).
Let us say you get the same hand. AK. You raise a 3x the big blind and get a call. The flop comes 642 and, at the same time, the big blind checks. There is a high chance that your opponent possesses a big unpaired hand such as KQ. At this stage, you cannot afford to be conservative, as the blinds are increasing and it is necessary that you build a stack. What to do now? Well, you must throw a pot size bet. If someone calls it, check or fold the remaining of your hand, if you do not improve your hand.

Playing hands against stacks of chips.
An important strategy you should learn is to play hands against stacks of chips. You have to play hands differently. The style of play depends on the player with whom you are in the hand. In this situation, avoid bluffing huge stacks as well as short stacks. Both have higher chances to call.

Playing a trick.
One of the sneaky tricks you can use is playing certain hands slow. Suppose you possess AK in the big blind. The small blind, having a short stack, throws a raise to you. at this point of the game, simply call, don't raise. If you raise, it will frighten him or her off in case he or she possesses a good amount of chips. If you only call, it is almost certain that he or she will give all in on the flop.

Do not he afraid.
At this stage of the game, do not he afraid if you get all in pre-flop. If you have JJ in the big blind as well as an aggressive player who possesses an average stack raises straight from the small blind, it is the best time to go all in here.
If you only call in this situation, you will get a bad flop and end up in trouble. This is because the other player has an aggressive style and he or she will certainly try to grab blinds as well as fold to your re-raise.

At the final stage of the game.
The final stage of the game approaches when only 5 or less players are left at the table. This final stage usually reaches after about 40 minutes of the game.

At this stage, the blinds put enormous pressure on everybody, except those with the highest stacks. This stage is shorthanded and there are big blinds, thus, you have to apply a new strategy. "Different" is the norm here.
With 4-5 players at the table, many exceptional situations crop up and you have to learn to handle them or else you will he
the first one to get out. The biggest issue is that somebody should get out before the others grab the money.

Making adjustments to your game.

1. Everyone has to change his or her styles to thrive in the final stage. The first adjustment is to get more aggressive. What most players commonly do is become passive at this stage and make folds to grab more cash. But, alas, the opposite happens! Instead of grabbing more cash, they fold their blinds and end up with empty pots.
2. While entering a pot. you require a strong hand to call, and not to raise. Why? Well, because if you call, you have to play a flop against somebody. Therefore, you should have a very strong hand. In case of a raise, a lesser hand will do, as it is much likely that everybody at the table will tend to fold and you can win the blinds.
3. For example, you have a hand 99. It is appropriate for you to limp in and attempt to have a good flop. But, if you have a hand KJ, the appropriate thing to do is raise and attempt to grab the pot, as you have to get a flop to improve.
4. At times, you can play tricks at this stage. This is appropriate as nobody is playing a normal game in this stage. It is a frenzy situation out there.
5. For example, you have AA in the big blind, plus a moderate size stack raised from earlier stages. If it is folded, you simply call. This shows that you have either big unpaired cards or a mid pair. If the flop is not bad. you can check. It is almost certain that your opponent will bet. As he gets the pre-flop raise, he or she is going to have a much smaller stack and will certainly try to grab the pot. even if he or she doesn't hit the jackpot. As soon as he or she goes all in, all you have to do is make a call, which is too easy at this time, and knock him or her out. 
6. If you have a re-raised pre-flop, you can pretend "weakness" and grab a much larger pot.