Sit n Go Satellite Strategy

Many larger buy in tournaments are out of range for smaller stakes players. However, sit n go satellites are offered to help increase the prize pool and allow more players the chance to play. If you master the proper sit n go satellite strategy you can play many high buy in tournaments for much less than the buy in.
Format
Almost all sit n go satellites are a winner take all format. The exception to this is when the prize pool is larger than the buy in to the tournament the players are trying to get in to. In this case, second receives some money back, and the second place prize is usually around the size of the buy in to the satellite. An example of this is if you play a $10+1 single table satellite to a $80+5 buy in tournament. If there are 10 players at the table, the prize pool will be $100. Since the tournament you are playing to get into is an $80+5, $15 is left over. In this case, first would win entry to the larger tournament, and second would receive $15.
Strategy
The strategy for these tournaments is quite different than the strategy for a normal sit n go. In a normal single table sit n go, the top three places are paid. In most satellites it is winner take all, with second occasionally receiving some money. For this reason, the last thing you want to do is be eaten away by blinds. At the start of the sit n go you should play more aggressive than in a usual sit n go. You have to get all the chips to win, and you don't want to end up with a short stack three handed. An example of this concept is as follows:
It is the first hand of the sit n go. The winner receives entry into the larger tournament, and no one else receives any money. You are dealt JJ in the big blind. It is folded to the small blind who calls. You raise it, and he calls. The flop is 1054, and the small blind goes all in. In a normal sit n go you might fold here and wait for a better chance to get your money in. However, since you need to get all the chips to win, you need to call here and try to build a large stack early. If you can build a large stack early you will be able to control the table and force people around to win more pots.
Another example of a hand is as follows:
You have AKc in dealer position. It's folded to you, and you raise the big blind. The small blind folds, and the big blind calls your raise. The flop is 8c9c4h. The small blind goes all in. Normally, you would fold here and wait for a better hand to go all in with. However, since you want to build a large stack to control the table you need to call. Since the small blind just called preflop he may have 910, 78, or even just 10J for a straight draw. If he has any of those hands than you have many outs to win the pot.
Short Stack Concept
Another unique strategy you may want to use in satellite sit n goes is the short stack concept. In normal sit n goes, a short stack may play very conservatively to try and make the money. However, since a player has to win the tournament they are less likely to be pushed around. Because of this, you should bully short stacks less than in a normal sit n go. Most players realize when their stack has become too low to win the tournament, and they will make moves to try and double up. A bad way to lose a pot is bullying a short stack when you have a weak hand, so avoid doing that.
If you find yourself in the opposite position, where you have a short stack and people are trying to bully you, you need to make a move. A good rule to use is if your stack is below 5x the big blind plus any antes, then you need to go all in soon. If your stack is more than 5 big blinds along with any antes, you are safe to play normally.