SIMPLE QUESTION

Do you guys think when you play a "sit n go" its best to wait and not play many hands but maybe AA and KK until some of the blinds go up to say level 3. Or do you think its best to get right into the action.Heres the thing, I limp in the beginning of a sit n go with any pocket pair hoping to hit a set. But I usually dont raise with over hands like AQ because theres no respect for a raise that early in a sit n go. What do you guys think is best. And if I should raise a $20 dollar blind, what should I raise it too?

Great question, and I'm sure you'll get some conflicting advice. I just read what I wrote below, and decided to post my short answer here on top. The rest of my post below is for your entertainment.

Quick answer: I think on the cheap SnG's, most experienced players do not get in the action enough during the early stages of the tourney. My reasoning has to do with the number of weak players that populate these games, and the fact that they are looking for action.

Long answer:
I play in 10+1 and 5+1 tourneys on Party, so my advice is coming from that perspective (a decent amount of weak players). I honestly think the 5+1's are considerably easier to beat, and my stats show that is has been the case for me. Unfortunately there's the 20% entry fee, which I'm sure may be considered rape in some states. In order to play these, you really need to know that you much better than the average player, otherwise you are paying off the house. Anyway...

In these SnG's, and especially in the 5+1, you'll get at least 3 fish who usually end up placing between 10th and 6th, sometimes higher if they get lucky, so here's how I go about it.

On the first orbit, try to figure out quickly who the strong players are, who the weak players are, and who the rocks are. Here's the key that has helped me stay ITM on over 50% of my 5+1's and over 40% on the 10+1: contrary to what you may hear around here, use the knowledge of who the weak players are, and get in the action with them early on in the tourney before it's too late and they've busted out (playing their K5 offsuit against a board that looks like A35Q3.) I'm not saying to risk your whole stack early on, but don't be afraid to play decent hands like AQo, especially if one or more of the weak players are in the pot preflop. Also, I generally don't raise much preflop early in the tourney, unless it is a hand that is more valuable with fewer opponents such as AA-JJ. The key for most hands is post flop aggression.

I have often doubled up my stack within the first 3 levels, almost exclusively against weak players who are playing because they love the action. I think you are right to limp, if possible, with middle suited connectors, mid to low pp, and most unsuited paint cards, provided there are fish limping with you. Early on it is worth it to see the flop for as cheaply as possible. The fish will want to stay in the pot if they catch 2nd or even 3rd pair. They'll often call a 1/2 pot sized bets holding K8 against your AQ, when the flop is Q82. For this reason beware if the board pairs up with another 8 or 2. Chances are better you are up against trips with a fish than if your opponent is solid. You still have to be on your best game, but open your mind to the cards a fish might be playing.

After I've doubled up, I can then step back into my comfort zone and let the remaining strong players kill each other over trying to steal the $100 blinds, and only get in the action with them when the cards are great. Often, this simple approach is enough to get me ITM.

My favorite part of a tourney is the end stages. By this time you should know the type of player you are up against. Often you will be in there against a short stacked rock, and another solid player with about your chip count. It really is a push fest. I feel that I've got this part of the tourney mostly figured out, since it is actually quite simple. My only advice is to know the players you are up against, and know what beats what heads up. Now, this may just be my experience and would like to hear if others disagree, but I think most players are too conservative in what they are willing to call an all in with. It is for this reason that I feel the more you push when you are the big stack, the more you will secure your 1st place finish, in the long run. (assuming you are not a moron, pushing with QT.)
Also, keep in mind if you are playing against a rock in the end stages, it is usually best to not push, but instead see the flop and play it aggressively from there. If they push back, you know you are beat. Against that lucky fish who made it in the money, make good choices in your preflop play on what to push with, chances are they will call your TT all in with A4.

Best wishes