Quote from illiquid:
Question for those hold-em players out there: Do you guys find that the 5-10 games are sometimes easier to play than the 2-4's? From my limited experience, it seems that with 2-4 there is much less reward for "good" play, as those lower limit tables seem to have a greater percentage of loose players willing to see every flop -- they'll call you with 3-5o and beat your AK with a 4 on the river. In other words, with a large number bets frequently in the pot it makes it worthy for all those gutshot and backdoor flush draws to stick around, making it harder for good starting hands to hold up. Bluffing is also less successful at these tables.
Are the tighter games in the higher limits better to play for these reasons, or is this just the faulty reasoning of an amateur, and that in fact all those loose callers are just what is needed for you to build your winnings?
Hi illiquid,
If a skilled Player wants to play Texas Hold'em at a casino. He would be much better off playing a higher limit game.
Once you become somewhat skilled, start playing the 5-10 games, stay there until you have control over your game. The 5-10 is a great table to develop your skills. Then move up to the 10-20. Then you can make some good money for your skills with some good play. In my opinion, that is the perfect game. Once you become a "real" player, go to the 20-40. Do not attempt to play a 20-40 game until you have complete authority and command over the game. When you do, after time and practice, you will be happy to play the 20-40.
Do not move up to a highly limit game unless you are 100% comfortable with that. You gotta be able to bet. You can't think about the money. You just gotta play the cards. If you have fear, you will lose. So, you are better off at the lower limit table until you are 100% ready to play the lighter limit. You have to accept it and be comfortable playing it. Nothing wrong with playing a lower limit game, just always practice your skills, always be on your game, develop the good habits and never deviate from that discipline.
1) Trust me, purchase the Wilson Turbo Texas Hold'em software. Practice on that for a least 1 month, if not 3. Depending on how much time you put towards it.
2) Purchase a few basic books on Texas Hold'es. Read them.
3) Subscribe to Card Player Magazine. It is an expensive magazine, but it is well worth the price. Your trading will benefit from it too.
4) If you live near a casino or card room, play there. Skip the internet for now. You can easily develop bad habits playing internet poker. You will benefit so much more playing in a real card game.
Texas Hold'em is a great game. There is so much to it. It's similar to trading, you will learn something every day. It's a nonstop learning experience. And you mostly learn about yourself. It's such a great game.
There are SO MANY similarities to trading, it's amazing.
But you gotta take it slow, practice, and slowly progress. After 3 months, you will be amazed at what you can "see" in the skill. Then after 6 months you will "see" things that you weren't even aware of when you were playing for 3. Then after 1 year, you will "see" things in the game that you never new existed when you were playing for 6 months.
It's a great thing.
I wish you the best,
gotta_trade