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This article lists the different kinds of satellites you will find online, and then covers a unique strategy situation which occurs at the ‘bubble’ of a qualifier tournament.


Different Types Of Online Poker Satellite

#1 – Sit And Go Satellites: These are 1 table tournaments, which usually award a seat in the bigger game for the winner only. One variation of Sit and Go qualifiers worth looking out for is the Pokerstars ‘Steps’ system. Here you finish 1st or 2nd in a 1-table game to win tickets to the next level up. You can either swap your ‘step 4’ ticket for entry to the Sunday Million or continue to Step 6 where seats in global live events are awarded.

#2 – Multi-Table Tournament Satellites: These can be thought of as the standard qualifier format. Look out for games which guarantee a certain number of seats in the target event. Some tournament qualifiers offer seats in bigger buy-in qualifiers, allowing you to work your way up to the big events.

#3 – Double Shootout Satellites: This format is 2 rounds of Sit and Go tournaments, the winners of the first round form a final table which awards one or more seats. You can also find 3-round ‘triple shootout’ games.

#4 – 2x and 3c Turbo Satellites: Unique to Pokerstars, these games are rebuy-tournaments with very fast blind increases and a long rebuy period. Expect play to be wild and loose in these games, you will need to accumulate a big stack to avoid the blind increases swallowing you up!

#5 Hyper-Turbo / Super-Turbo Satellites: This format can be in either multi-table or Sit and Go format. Players start with very small stacks and the blinds go up fast. Skill does play some role in these games, however you will need an element of luck to survive the many all-in confrontations.


Bubble Strategy In Satellite Qualifiers

Many players make mistakes in satellite tournaments which can cost them their place in the big event. This happens when there are just one or two players left before the seats are awarded – a period known as the bubble.

In a normal tournament you still have an incentive to accumulate chips at the bubble. Since the prizes are weighted towards the final few players, there is still plenty of play left after the bubble is over. In a satellite qualifier everyone gets the same prize, and once the bubble is over the game is finished.

This means that there is no extra incentive to take risks at the bubble of a satellite qualifier. In fact, if there are one or more very short-stacked players in the game then there is usually a strong disincentive to take risks.

If other players are going to be forced to play by the blinds in the next round or two and a big stack raises you all-in then you should fold most of your hands. This includes everything up to a pair of kings. When you can fold your way into the money, and those extra chips will not give you any additional advantage – then there is simply no need to risk it. Let the foolish players bust each other out of the game and fold your way to the prize every time! If you are in danger of becoming short-stacked yourself then the best strategy is to be the player who raises all-in, and not the caller – this puts the maximum pressure on your opponents.

Satellite qualifiers are a great way of boosting your poker bankroll – with the shared player wallet system at Muchos Poker, you will have access to a wide range of qualifiers at many of the leading poker sites. Click Here now to find out more!


About The Author: This article was written by Planet Mark, an experienced player and owner of the international poker tournament strategy site ‘Sit and Go Planet’. Click Here to see 100’s of strategy articles covering poker tournaments of all sizes.