Dominating the end game

There are some general adjustments you should make when play goes three-handed in a ten-man Sit & Go. Due to the payout structure of 50% to first, 30% to second and 20% to third, players should usually be prepared to start adopting a more aggressive approach once they reach the money.

As they are already guaranteed 20% for third, it's important to note there is only an additional 10% for second and first gets 30% more. This means altering the more cautious approach you take to bubble play and being more prepared to take gambles when they present themselves (obviously with your stack level in mind).

Everyone is equal

With equal stacks you should be prepared to play more aggressively and take marginal gambles, however typically there will be differences in the relative stack sizes. If these differences are extreme it is worth adjusting from the standard strategies. For example, when playing with a smaller second place stack against a very short third place stack, but a massive chip leader, it’s not worth going over the top with your gambles, as this could cost you a second place finish. In this example there is a high probability that you will be able to lock up an additional 10%, but the chances of you winning overall are pretty small. Therefore avoiding the big stack with all but strong hands is now advisable, although it is not normally necessary to take this as far as on the bubble and fold hands like AK.

If you have a dominating stack and have prospered from bubble play to gain a massive chip lead then you still have considerable leverage. The other players are now more likely to play for second and let you continue accumulating chips. If they are both quite short with stacks of 5-10 big blinds you can move in with most hands from the button and almost all hands from the small blind for up to 15 big blinds.

If there is one smaller stack you will need to be more cautious in your approach. The short stack will be looking to take marginal gambles and you need to tone down your aggression in relation to them. But this situation gives you the opportunity to attack the second place stack even more aggressively as he will not benefit significantly from doubling up through you. If he does decide to, it puts that additional 10% at risk.