Jackpot Sit N Go Strategy: Winning The Final Jackpot Game

So you have won a series of Jackpot Sit N Go games on the trot and now need just one more to win a big pay day. What is the best approach to win it? Here is my ten point plan.

....................................Hang on a minute Kartajana you have not won one yourself yet.

Very true. Whilst I have won several consolation bonuses totalling over $3000 I have yet to win a Jackpot. So why am I posting about how to win one? Firstly, having played these games on and off for nearly six years I know them inside out. Secondly and more importantly I have been in the key situation six times, where I needed to win just one more game to take down a big pay day. Three times I have come extremely close. Thirdly, I have read a lot on this subject and put a fair amount of work into this post. Fourthly, this blog is for me too. When my lucky seventh opportunity comes around soon I want to be ready to give it my very best shot. Therefore, I believe I have a good insight into the issues, pressures and wonder surrounding this unique poker opportunity. Here goes:

1. No distractions. You need to be totally focused to give this opportunity its fullest potential. Play when you are unlikely to be disturbed and can give it total concentration. In my case that's when the rest of the family are in bed and it is too late for anyone else to get in touch by phone or any unexpected house callers. Shutdown your Internet Explorer, switch off the television and focus.
2. Assess opponents. It makes sense to monitor the players for this key game as they register, using Sharkscope. Really I am looking to avoid a game with a lot of solid regulars and ideally target a couple of terrible players to double up through.
3. Tell no one. I think a big mistake I have made on my previous six attempts is to tell my wife. The prospect of a big win is exciting but the money is being spent while I am playing. This has added to the pressure of the situation. This is not really a criticism of her as she is pretty...........................understanding about my poker and the variance it involves. She also reads this blog! Next time I plan to keep my opportunity secret.
4. Play when ready. I would not play this game as the first game of a session, nor would I play it when feeling too tired, unfocused or even slightly on tilt. Play a couple of warm up games. Go though the hand histories of the previous winning jackpot games focusing on the key decisions that led to victory. Then go for it.
5. One game only. Again a mistake I have made in the past is to play other games at the same time. They can only reduce your winning potential. Having a full view of how others are playing may help in one or two critical spots. Probably pretty obvious but still worth a mention.
6. No Chat. The final game in particular will be assessed for collusion or any other failure to comply with terms and conditions. Swearing or abusing other players for example could be very expensive. I suggest simply closing the chat box.
7. Play to win. My biggest regret in my final games to date was a Rio opportunity for $45,000 where I played almost no hands and cashed pathetically in third giving myself no real chance to win. If good cards don't come you have to be aggressive with what you have. You cannot win without aggression.
8. No consolation focus. Just to reinforce the previous point there is genuinely no consolation in coming second and winning a consolation bonus. Even the prospect of hitting $750 for second at the Fort Knox level should not affect your decision making.
9. Key moment - go with your instinct. It is very important to have no regrets. In my first Rio opportunity my tens lost to the chipleaders queens in a pre-flop battle that I did not shirk. Despite this being a tough spot calling an all-in re-raise I feel happy with the decision. The worst feeling is to loose knowing your played poorly or made one poor decision.
10. Be lucky. The reality is that in these variance filled sit n gos luck plays an important part. So in this final game you need it more than ever.

Hope this helps.

Comments of your own experiences would really help this post as a genuine resource for jackpot players so please comment away.

If you are about to play the final jackpot game: be prepared, be aggressive, be lucky but most of all just bloody win the thing! (especially you Kartajana).