In a typical texas hold'em sit-n-go poker tournament, there are 10 players and the top 3 get paid. Your goal is to make it into the top 3. The best way that I've found to achieve this is by playing the opposite of how the tables plays.

If the table is playing tight, loosen up your game. On a tight table, you should be able to limp in with hands the are good drawing hands but which are not otherwise hands you'd play. If you can get in cheap and you hit one of these, you could be well on your way towards building a good lead on the rest of the table.

If the table is playing loose, tighten up your game. With a lot of loose players you won't be able to limp in, there will probably be a lot of pre-flop betting. Also, someone is bound to hit something on a fairly regular basis even with only a so-so flop. You don't want to get into these types of hands unless you are sure you are going to win. So only play very solid hands, and if you don't hit on the flop, get out if someone makes a bet at the pot.