Copyright 2007 Full
Tilt Poker
April 6th, 2007
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Poker Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Playing Low
Author: Karina Jett
The next time you come to Vegas or login to Full
Tilt Poker and sit into a low or mid-stakes game,
you might find me or my husband Chip at the table. When I play
live, I do so for some pretty low stakes. I've got no problem
playing $2-$5 No-Limit
Hold 'em. Chip prefers mixed games, but you won't find him
in the $50/$100 game. Middle stakes are more his speed.
Some people I play with in the $2-$5 games ask me
why I bother with the low stakes. I'm a professional poker
player and have been for some time, so why not play higher? The
answer I give is simple. I'm looking to maximize my profits and
play
in a game where I have a huge skill advantage and am certain
to be a big favorite.
That's not to say that I haven't played higher.
When we first met, Chip and I were traveling the tournament circuit,
living out of hotels and playing the biggest games our bankrolls
would allow. I played mostly Limit
Hold 'em, and would sit in games where I could easily win
or lose a few thousand a night.
Then a couple of years ago, Chip and I started a
family. As you'd expect, things changed. We settled in Vegas and
kept our travel to a minimum. The change in circumstances also
effected our game selection. We needed to play in games where
the income was pretty steady and the swings weren't so dramatic.
For a family-oriented poker
player like myself, $2-$5 No-Limit is just fine. I can make the
money I need without putting a whole lot at risk. These games
may not have the same drama as the larger stakes games where the
amount won and lost in individual pots could pay for a nice luxury
car, but they provide plenty of entertainment and excitement just
the same. What's more, by playing at lower levels than your bankroll
allows, you can easily absorb the occasional bad beat or bad night.
Playing low-limit poker
doesn't mean you're sitting in action-free games either. In fact,
these games can provide even more action than you'll find at the
higher limits because they attract many more casual players who
are just out for an evening of fun and are looking to "gamble"
a little more at the table. For these people, losing a buy-in
or two is the price of a night out.
There's no shame playing for lower stakes than you
think you can afford. If playing high causes you stress or is
taking money away from other priorities in your life, then try
dropping down the ladder and playing at levels where your skill
advantage will help you build a more comfortable bankroll for
the future.
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