An Overview of MT-SnGs

Introduction

In this article

• What types of MT SnGs there are
  
• The different payout structures
  
• The difference to "regular" SnGs
  

What are multi-table SnGs?

Multi-table SnGs are basically a mixture between SnGs and MTTs. In an SnG, the number of players at the table who contend for the prize pool is limited. In an MTT, the number of players is usually not limited beforehand; the game starts at a certain time and all the players who have registered by that time participate.

An overview of the different multi-table SnGs

18-player SnGs are generally played in a very similar way to regular one-table SnGs. The payout structure is usually somewhat more top-heavy and only four players finish in the money. The prize money distribution is 40/30/20/10.

When it comes to 27-player SnGs, most structures pay out five players, however, at  Ongame six players get into the money.

While the distribution at PokerStars follows a 37/27/18/10/8 structure, the winner at PartyPoker and iPoker  receive 40%, while the remaining ranks are rewarded differently at each plattform. On Ongame as a exception 6 players are paid - games are thus less top heavy. This already shows that it makes sense to use different approaches.

At PokerStars, taking higher risks in order to win pays off more than it would at Ongame for example. What's interesting is that finishing in the fourth and fifth places at Ongame Poker is more profitable than it is at PokerStars. The biggest jumps between the prize ranks at PokerStars occur between the fourth and the third place and between the third and the second place. At Ongame, the only somewhat larger jump between the prize ranks occurs between the second and the first place. This means that especially heads-up becomes very important, while it is not as important at PokerStars, where it is rather the game ITM that is generally important.

45-player SnGs also have different payout structures.

Seven players finish in the money at PokerStars, while an amazing ten players finish in the money at iPoker. As you can see in the table, the first and second ranks at PokerStars are therefore slightly more profitable. The payout is considerably more top-heavy and you should put an even stronger focus on winning than you would at iPoker.

In 90-player SnGs, only PokerStars provide.

Since only PokerStars regularly holds 180-player SnGs, comparisons to platforms are unfortunately not possible here. However, you can still find the payout structure above. Each player finishing in places 10-18 receives the same prize sum. In this phase, many players will certainly play extremely aggressive, since they pretty much don't have anything to lose. The 13th ranked player receives just as much as the player in 18th place.

Against their looser ranges you can also go broke slightly looser if you know how to identify such players.

Overview of the payout structures

Differences between SnGs and MT-SnGs

First of all, multi-table tournaments differ from single-table tournaments in that they are played at multiple tables with more players. This quite obvious difference doesn't only affect the structure of the tournament, the payout structure and the blind levels, but also has considerable influence on the optimal way of playing.

The more players in the field, the more your strategy should stray away from "mere" SnG theory. Factors that are usually important in MTTs gain importance.

An SnG always starts at the final table, an MT-SnG obviously doesn't. When you start an SnG, the prize money ranks are already quite close, while in a MT-SnG they are more or less further away, depending on how big the tournament is. This also affects the way you play. In big MT-SnGs there is an early stage, which is played similarly to cash games, since the influence of ICM effects is not that strong. Here you have to adapt appropriately and have the right game plan for each stage. You always have to estimate correctly which phase you are currently in and adapt your game accordingly. Especially in the late phase you should play tight and use your chips wisely, just like you would play an SnG.

An experienced MTT player will never just aim to finish in the money. He will always want to win. An experienced SnG player however will focus more on getting into the money at all. Of course he also wants to win the tournament, but he won't risk as much as an MTT player. These two assumptions may render the situation somewhat black/white, but they do illustrate the following point quite well.

In simple terms this means:

The bigger an MT-SnG is, the more you should be inclined to take risks in order to make sure that you will win. The payout structure in bigger MT-SnGs makes it possible to win multiple times your buy-in. So if you can choose between doubling the buy-in and getting 30 times the buy-in by taking bigger risks, you should take the risks since the reward will be so much higher.

Summary

This article gave you an overview of the different types of MT-SnGs, as well as a comparison of their payout structures at PokerStars, iPoker, Ongame and PartyPoker. With this information, you can adapt your game and make it more profitable, even though you weren't given any direct tips for your play. Thinking about the payout structures can help you make the right decision in a given situation.

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