Hi All,

I've been lurking around for a bit and have been learning a bunch. I am hoping that some of you might give me a little insight into how you get a table read during Sit N Go tourneys.

What I really mean by this is what "tricks" or methods do you use when you are actually playing in a tournament to form your opinions about other players? Do you rely on software, and if so, what programs and why?

If you don't use software, how do you get your reads? Do you watch for certain characteristics such as pre-flop raises or how often a player is in the hand?

I find that I don't really have any system in place for gauging what type of opponents are at my table and I am hopeful that some of you have some simple ways of collecting and digesting the information that is available during routine play.

I am fairly comfortable with the basic concepts of tight vs. loose play, and an aggressive vs. passive play. My trouble is that I just don't seem to collect the data necessary to apply those definitions to individual players very well.

Thanks in advance for your help.

What kind of information are you trying to develop? Is it whether the players are loose or tight? Aggressive or Passive? Bluffers or Str8t Forward?

I like to look for the player or players I can take advantage of. It doesn't matter whether they are loose, supertight or middle of the road. I have used PT for years and used the tourney window during the games. I always thought it gave me an edge. What I have done recently has been use PT(PokerTracker) to collect the hand history but I have not opened the tourney window. This forces me to use my mind and stay focused on what is happening in the game. This has helped accentuate my reads on the other players. Make them sharper and clearer.

Don't look at the bet SIZE but Look for when a player bets and what does the board look like at the time. Did the player have someting, Semi-bluffing, flat out bluffing? Does he use continuation bets excessively or only when he has something?
Does he like to semi-bluff with a sr8t or flush draw on the flop or turn? How does he act if he has a big stack? Small stack? Medium stack?

Keep a small notebook on your desk and write the info down. Make up your own shorthand so only you know what it means. This will help when or if you ever play in a casino and want to keep notes w/o giving things away.

After the tourney , no matter how you do, review your notes and go over them while comparing them to what actually happened using the replay system in PT. After a few tourneys you will see that your ability to read the players is better then before. How you us this information is the .

If you are actually looking for and noteing those things in a SnG (and I'm in no way implying that you aren't) - then you are lightyears ahead of the majority of the players you will encounter, at least at the low limits.

One little wrinkle that I could add - in the middle of the SnG, about when the blinds are 30/60 or 50/100 - I will start testing the players to my left to see how they defend their blinds. I'm looking for the weak player that will let me steal later when I really need it. I'm also looking for the aggressive defender for when I get that AA/KK type hand. One or two successful steals at the right time can make a world of difference.