No Limit Hold ‘Em : “Limitations”

There’s a lot to be said for moving to a higher level game. Many players do it too early, many do it with too small of a bankroll. This article will discuss what I observe as the biggest mistakes in moving from $25nl to the $200 or $1000 nl game.

1) Know when the next level is appropriate based on skill. The biggest mistake I see players make is wanting to move up a level in play because the playskill of their opponents is too weak. This may be the worst logic for poker, the worse your opponents, the better your edge. No exceptions. No matter how many times I explain it, I hear it again “I want to be able to bet an idiot out of a pot.” No you don’t! NEVER EVER MOVE UP BECAUSE YOU’RE FRUSTRATED WITH BAD PLAY. Sorry, had to get it out of my system. Getting out drawn is part of poker. In higher levels it happens less, but the fact of the matter is grinding out the relatively small edges is what makes money. Getting all your chips in the middle against an idiot makes money. But not knowing when to fold against an idiot who calls with 2-7 off doesn’t get any easier in the $500 game, now they actually know how and when to bluff, and how to get your whole stack with a set.

2) Know your limits. Improper bankroll considerations are the second biggest problem players have when deciding to move up. To play a No limit game you want at least 20x the buy-in for the new game. This should be raised if the blinds are higher than .5% – 1% of the limit ($1-$2 in a $200 Buy). That is the minimum. I am reluctant to move at the higher levels even with those requirements well met. Moving up early and trying a level is both dangerous to your bankroll and your ego. Ego is a dangerous thing, winning a few hundred in the $100nl game after leaving the $25 or 50nl games can give you the wrong impression about your skill. Worse it can get you used to playing for more money and make the smaller games feel not worth playing. It’s tough to win $1000 in a night and want to grind-out a $100 win. I know; I was there.

3) Know the style of your limit. Lower levels are mostly about showing off hands. Betting draws can be hazardous, but this changes in the intermediate levels. The trick is learning the new level without losing a lot of money. Surprisingly my advice will be to play a similar betting strategy in a new level, but a different calling strategy. Every time you move up, tighter play becomes better, this means both pre and post flop. This doesn’t mean you want to move to a tight weak style, but rather one that can raise a top pair good kicker, and still be willing to fold to a re-raise. Protecting hands becomes more important even though you’re less likely to be called on the new level, and it helps your aggressive image.

In conclusion don’t be afraid to stay at a lower limit for too long. Losing a bankroll is unnecessary. Patience is just as important in bankroll management as it is at the table. Don’t ever be ashamed to move down a level. After playing bigger levels, lower levels are easy, almost too easy.

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