What Limit Should You Be Playing?
I’ve been told over and over again that the real low limit poker games are unbeatable because everyone plays everything and you get outdrawn. First rule of poker theory is when someone in a hand makes a bet or call with a negative expected value, everyone else yields the positive result of that value. Or, in simpler terms, that when other people call when they shouldn’t, those that play and should be playing gain. When you have a full table of no fold ‘em hold ‘em it may be hard to win, especially when you are playing tight, give it enough time, the morons will pay you off eventually, trust me. So the concern should never be finding players that are good enough.
Ask yourself these questions to determine what limit you should be playing:
1) Do I have a distinct playing edge on my opponents
2) Do I have a big enough bankroll for this game.
3) Is playing the game worth my time?
4) Does an individual pot matter to me?
1) A distinct edge doesn’t mean you won’t learn while playing, it means you’ll have an easier time outplaying your opponents on basics you know. The edge is a must.
2) The bankroll is a tough question to answer. To buyin a game i want 50 times the big bet in my pocket. To play a game over a long spread of time i want 300 times the big bet in my pocket. If you don’t play off a bankroll but rather your spare cash, the first is much more relevant, but if your wife doesn’t want you gambling, keeping a manageable bankroll is important. (note that 300 times the big bet in a 2-5 blind 5-10 game is $3000) Most people play well above where their bankroll tells them to. Don’t be one of them.
3) If the game isn’t worth your time, then bankrolls become less relevant. If you make $100k+ a year, and are trying to squeeze out 2 big bets an hour on the 2-4 table, many players would be prone to boredom. If you are a good player, at least play something that you find interesting.
4) If an individual pot matters, you’re at too big of a game. While an individual night can matter, an individual pot shouldn’t - especially in live play. When someone cares, they are very easy to read.
