Tournament Manager
In poker, MTT (Multi-Table Tournament) and SnG (Sit and Go Tournament) are two popular tournament formats with distinct structures and player experiences. Both involve buying in for a fixed amount and competing for a prize pool, but they differ in how they start, scale, and conclude.
MTT (Multi-Table Tournament)
Multi-Table Tournaments are large-scale events where many players join across multiple tables, often with hundreds or even thousands of entrants. Here's how it works:
Scheduled Start: MTTs begin at a specific time, regardless of how many players have registered. You must join before late registration closes.
Blinds Increase: Every few minutes (e.g., 10–15), blinds increase to push the action forward.
Players Eliminate Each Other: As players bust out, tables consolidate until only one final table remains.
One Winner, Many Payouts: The top ~10-15% of finishers receive a portion of the prize pool. The deeper you go, the more you win. First place typically gets 20-25% of the pool.
Duration: Can last for hours, depending on the number of players and blind structure.
Example: You buy into a $10 MTT with 1,000 players. Prize pool = $10,000. If you finish in the top 100, you win money. If you finish 1st, you may get around $2,000–$2,500.
SnG (Sit and Go Tournament)
Sit and Go Tournaments are smaller, faster tournaments that begin as soon as all seats are filled—usually 6, 9, or 10 players:
No Scheduled Time: Starts instantly when enough players join.
Fixed Size: Typically single-table, but multi-table SnGs also exist (e.g., 18 or 45 players).
Quick Format: Often over in 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Top Few Paid: Usually, top 2 or 3 players get paid (e.g., in a 9-player SnG, 1st = 50%, 2nd = 30%, 3rd = 20%).
Example: In a 9-player $10 SnG, the prize pool is $90. The top 3 might win $45, $27, and $18, respectively.
MTT vs SnG: Key Differences
Start Time
Scheduled
Starts when full
Number of Players
100s to 1000s
6 to 10 (or 45 max)
Prize Pool
Large, tiered
Smaller, top-heavy
Duration
Long (1–8+ hours)
Short (30 min – 1 hour)
Payout Structure
Top 10–15%
Top 2–3 only
If you want big prizes and are willing to play for hours, MTTs are your game. If you prefer shorter sessions with quicker results, SnGs are the way to go. Both formats require strategy adjustments, especially in ICM (Independent Chip Model) and bubble play.
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