The Turbo Sit n Go is Pokerdom’s answer to the amusement park roller coaster. It starts out a little slow, then everything breaks loose. Fortunately, it is over in a few minutes. Although the journey can be scary, you can’t wait for the next one. And the same goes for the Turbo.

Turbo forces you to immediately resolve all kinds of contradictions. You find yourself stepping on the brakes, even when the other foot remains on the accelerator. He plays with his stack relentlessly, then folds, folds, folds. If you were a car, you would have used up your clutch before the game was over.

In a nine-player single-table tournament, the Turbo himself is, frankly, the 10th player. Weighing in at 900 pounds, this gorilla sets the rules. Every hand you play is against your opponents and the gorilla. Eventually the big man will conquer all but one. This could be said of any tournament. Except the Turbo is a lot meaner than the rest.

So that’s a glimpse of the Turbo: fast, furious, and relentless. You can win Safe. Here are seven general guidelines that can help get your game off to the right track.

1) If you are a Rock, don’t play.

Turbos are not for everyone. So, if your style leans toward conservative, passive, and card-dependent play, don’t gamble.

2) Targeted aggression is mandatory.

This is a game for the aggressive gamer. Someone who can assess accumulation risk versus token reward quickly and accurately. And then do the required move without hesitation.

3) Narrow is mostly correct, right from the start.

But, just because you’re playing tight, it doesn’t mean you can just sit back and watch. Your goal is to increase your stack by at least 10-20% in the first few orbits. You should start accumulating chips from the beginning. Staying ahead of the blinds is crucial throughout the tournament. Another goal is to always keep at least one stack of medium sized chips.

4) Making money is the ultimate goal.

Sometimes you hit the money with a huge pile of chips. And, other times, you sneak out the back door with just a handful. It doesn’t matter how you get there. Just go! Of course, this advice applies to any Sit n Go. The point is to learn to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. In a moment you can be Attila, the Hun. The next, you may have to settle for being Attila’s horse.

5) The Turbo is relentless.

Due to its speed, mistakes are more likely to be made. Also, due to its speed, there is little time to recover from those mistakes. The error penalty is quickly compounded with fast orbits and increasing blinds. The Turbo rewards both good luck and good judgment. Playing this game will teach you the meaning of good judgment.

6) The dead card is no excuse.

You must play. Even if you have to play without looking at your cards.

7) Master the game with few hands.

Most of your play will be at a table of six players or less. Therefore, you must become very skilled at short-handed, bubble, in-the-money and heads-up play.

For another view of a Turbo, imagine a peaceful mountain stream. (This would be similar to the first orbits). Soon the creek is a faster flowing creek, strewn with rocks and logs. (Now, it has entered the middle stage.) The current becomes faster and more dangerous. (This condition occurs when you approach the bubble.) The stream becomes a punishing river of rapids and eddies. (This describes playing in the bubble). Suddenly, there is a moment of stillness, just before the river collapses down a 300-meter waterfall. (You’ve won money.) Now, the furious race for first place begins. And all this happens in about forty minutes.

The Turbo will challenge all your capabilities. And it will display each and every flaw in your game and your mind. Use these insights to improve.